Ratings Associate - Structured Finance Group

Skills and 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.
• Python and SQL skills preferred.
• Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in a second language such as German is preferred.
• Finance, mathematics, statistics, background preferred.

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 Moody’s 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 Moody’s 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 Moody’s 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 issuer’s 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 Moody’s 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 Moody’s 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.

The Role

The Rating Associate will work with lead analysts in assigning and monitoring credit ratings; researching, drafting, and publishing research; and other activities. The Rating Associate will perform an evaluation of credit risk by integrating credit risk inputs prepared by internal and external parties. In conducting credit analysis for their assigned credits, transactions, or credit reviews. The Rating Associate are expected to participate in rating committee discussions and interact with issuers and other market participants, in collaboration with lead analysts.

The Rating Associate role is integral to Moody’s focus on ratings accuracy, research, and market outreach. The Rating Associate role will typically focus primarily on one rating group, with the potential for cross-training in and/or work for other rating groups.