Let's begin! Rating Associate - Structured Finance Group (9426)

Skills and Competencies

• At least 1 year of experience (including internships) is preferred.
• Understanding of fixed income markets and/or credit knowledge is preferred.
• Finance economics business mathematics actuarial studies or statistics background is preferred.
• Excellent verbal written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in MS Excel Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work proactively and effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

Portfolio Management & Credit Quality
Working with lead analysts by performing daytoday credit analysis related to ratings research presentations and investor outreach. Examples of analytical work may include:
Developing a working knowledge of credit fundamentals through a review of components such as transaction documentation cash flow analysis or loss allocation rules.
Developing a working knowledge of Moodys methodologies and credit rating best practices and applying these with guidance from lead analysts.
Developing the ability to understand and identify key factors that affect credit ratings. Interpreting and analyzing financial data and other credit inputs provided by internal and external parties.
Assisting with proprietary models as applicable identifying trends in data and applying analytical skills and judgment to form wellreasoned credit conclusions.
Collaborating with lead analysts in preparing the first draft of rating committee memos.
Attending and participating in rating committee meetings including to offer analysis and opinion where appropriate.
Monitoring credit quality and issuer and/or industry trends by following market developments and relevant news events and engaging with issuers directly for followup clarification and information.
Performing analytical tasks related to portfolio reviews and other credit projects.

Research Investor Outreach & Market Interaction
Contributing to the first draft of core research (such as presale and new issue reports and issuer and sector comments) in collaboration with lead analysts.
Contributing to research strategy including idea generation and preliminary drafting and adhering to Moodys research standards.
Attending investor briefings and issuer meetings as required; helping prepare presentation materials in some cases; arriving prepared to engage in discussions.
Building positive relationships with issuers displaying initiative to understand the issuers business and proactively responding to issuer inquiries.

Credit Administration
Operating applicable ratings and research systems and utilizing software specific to the rating group.
Demonstrating sound understanding and judgment in applying Moodys processes documentation standards and best practices and adhering to all laws and policies.

Coaching & Guidance
Providing guidance in the delegation of work to the data processing team.
Actively managing workload pipeline to provide sufficient time for completion. Seeking guidance from the manager where needed to determine how to prioritize work.
Providing feedback to the manager on the quality and accuracy of work produced by the data processing team while providing constructive and proactive feedback.

Risk Identification and Escalation
Ensure compliance with applicable laws regulations policies and procedures to certify relevant key codes as required. Complete mandatory required training in a timely manner.
Awareness of Moodys risk management approach.
Increase awareness of cyber risks and avoidance of vulnerabilities e.g. email use (phishing malware).
Ensure high quality work free of errors.

The Role

The Ratings Associate will work with lead analysts in assigning and monitoring credit ratings; researching drafting and publishing research; and other activities. The Ratings Associate will perform an evaluation of credit risk by integrating credit risk inputs prepared by internal and external parties. The Ratings Associate are expected to participate in rating committee discussions and interact with issuers and other market participants in collaboration with lead analysts.

The Ratings Associate role is integral to Moodys focus on ratings accuracy research and market outreach. The Rating Associate role will typically focus primarily on one rating group with the potential for crosstraining in and/or work for other rating groups.