Let's begin! Ratings Associate Structured Finance Group

Skills & Competencies

• Some relevant experience (including internships) is preferred
• Excellent verbal written communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in MS Excel Word and PowerPoint
• Proactive and able to work effectively in a collaborative team environment
• Strong organization skills analytical thinking and attention to detail
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and prioritize tasks accordingly
• Some understanding of fixed income markets and/or credit knowledge is preferred

Education

• Minimum undergraduate/first-level degree (e.g. Bachelors Degree or equivalent qualifications) with strong academic performance
• Finance accounting business mathematics or statistics background preferred
• Availabile for immediate hire

Responsibilities

Portfolio Management & Credit Quality
Working with lead analysts by performing day-to-day credit analysis related to ratings research presentations and investor outreach. Examples of analytical work may include:

• Reviewing financial spreadsheets and charts analyzing data and financial statements building and updating financial forecasts and writing analytical commentary in accordance with Moodys methodologies
• Assisting with proprietary models and new financial projections as applicable identifying trends in data and applying analytical skills and judgment to form well-reasoned credit conclusions
• Developing a working knowledge of credit fundamentals through a review of components such as transaction documentation cash flow analysis or loss allocation rules
• Performing analytical tasks related to portfolio reviews and other credit projects
• Developing a working knowledge of Moodys methodologies and credit rating best practices and applying these with guidance from lead analysts
• Collaborating with lead analysts in preparing the first draft of rating committee memos
• Developing the ability to understand and identify key factors that affect issuer credit ratings. Interpreting and analyzing financial data and other credit inputs provided by internal and external parties
• Monitoring credit quality and issuer and/or industry trends by following market developments and relevant news events analyzing issuer reporting (including in some rating groups monitoring and attending earnings calls) and engaging with issuers directly for follow-up clarification and information
• Attending and participating in rating committee meetings including to offer analysis and opinion where appropriate. Preparing credit estimates analysis used to assess elements of credit risk in certain rated transactions

Research Investor Outreach & Market Interaction

• Contributing to the first draft of core research (such as credit opinions issuer and sector comments press releases pre-sale and new issue reports) 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. e-mail use (phishing malware)
• Ensure high quality of work free errors

About 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 conducting credit analysis for their assigned credits transactions or credit reviews Ratings Associates 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 Ratings Associate role will typically focus primarily on one rating group with the potential for cross-training in and/or working for other rating groups.