Associate Director

Key Responsibilities
Portfolio Management
• Performs day-to-day credit analysis related to ratings, research, presentations, and investor outreach. Manage high ratings quality and transparency with forward-looking views
• Lead the analytical responsibilities related to assigned portfolios such as building proprietary models and new financial projections as applicable, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data for companies and broader industry sectors, analyzing transaction documents and implications of transaction structures and terms, preparing rating committee materials, writing analytical commentary in accordance with credit rating methodologies
• Present credits effectively and comprehensively in rating committees and other internal analytical meetings
• Act as a member of rating committees to evaluate, discuss, and vote on credit rating actions. Ensure that policies and procedures and best practices are always consistently applied
• Develops expertise and knowledge of credit rating methodologies and best practices, applying analytical skills and judgment to formulating well-reasoned credit conclusions
• Lead portfolio monitoring efforts by following market developments, earnings calls, analyzing issuer reporting, and engaging with issuers directly for follow-up clarification and information
• Assess, understand and interpret complex corporate capital structures and legal documentation
• Build on a base of strong credit experience to become knowledgeable of, and stay current with, the credit issues affecting the assigned companies and sectors, including the credit implications of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) issues
• Adhere to applicable codes of conduct, policies, procedures, regulations and best practices
Research, Stakeholder Outreach and Strategic Initiatives
• Conduct credit research and writing credit reports, special comments and outlooks for companies and industry sectors, other thematic research
• Act as the lead representative of VIS Rating to discuss and communicate the critical rating issues during meetings.
• Present credit and research views confidently and with insight in industry forums and events, investor briefings and issuer meetings
• Maintain, or build, effective interaction with the Senior Management of assigned companies in their portfolio; engage constructively with the issuer's management through thorough preparation and understanding of the issuer's business
• Build and maintain high profile relationships with investors, issuers, policymakers and other market participants including press/media; displays initiative to understand credit issues and proactively responds to enquiries
• Collaborate effectively and in a highly collegiate fashion with other team members
• Lead special projects and working groups to advance the broader organization's strategic objectives which include solidifying the organization's market position, enhancing operations, and growing the business
Credit Administration
• Perform analytical tasks related to portfolio reviews and other credit projects
• Demonstrate competency in processing ratings and research through internal systems and utilizes software specific to the rating group. Constructs and takes ownership of analytical databases as applicable
• Demonstrate thorough understanding and judgment in applying internal processes, documentation standards and best practices, adhering to all laws and policies
Coaching & Guidance
• Work closely with senior managers and contributes to training and on-boarding of new staff, serving as a mentor where applicable
• Serve as a resource on more complex credit questions and issues for less experienced staff. Acts as mentor to junior staff, for topics such as research writing, issuer relationship management and credit process