Fund & Asset Management, Analyst, London 1

Dual-headquartered in New York and London, Fitch Ratings is a leading provider of credit ratings, commentary and research. Dedicated to providing value beyond the rating through independent and prospective credit opinions, Fitch Ratings offers global perspectives shaped by strong local market experience and credit market expertise. The additional context, perspective and insights we provide help investors to make important credit judgments with confidence.

Fitch Solutions delivers credit market data, analytical tools and risk services to the global financial community. In addition to offering proprietary market-based content, Fitch Solutions distributes the ratings, research and financial data of Fitch Ratings through a variety of flexible platforms. With innovation and experience behind every solution, Fitch Solutions helps financial professionals meet the diverse and evolving needs of today's global markets.

Fitch Ratings and Fitch Solutions, along with Fitch Learning and BMI Research, are part of the Fitch Group, a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries. Fitch Group is majority-owned by Hearst.

Fitch Ratings and Fitch Solutions are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer, complying with all laws governing employment in each jurisdiction in which operating, and provide equal opportunity to all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and other status protected by applicable laws.

Fitch Ratings has an open culture where employees are able to exchange ideas and perspectives, throughout the organization, irrespective of their seniority. Your voice will be heard allowing you to have a real impact. We embrace diversity and appreciate authenticity, employees work in an environment where they can be their true selves. Our inclusive and progressive approach helps us to keep a balanced perspective.

Department Overview:

The Fund and Asset Manager Rating Group is focused on providing investors with timely, prospective and informative ratings and related research on the asset management industry. The group's activities are wide ranging, with a primary focus on rating money market funds and associated cash management products such as ultra-short duration bond funds. The group also assigns qualitative ratings to investment managers and rates securitisations of private equity funds. The group is part of the wider Non-Bank Financial Institution Rating Group.

Job Description

We are looking for an analyst to join the EMEA fund and asset manager rating team, based in London. The successful candidate will be part of a diverse team of analysts and will contribute towards the rating of mutual funds and asset managers. The team analyses funds and asset managers in line with Fitch's rating criteria and provides high quality credit opinions to investors and other market participants.

Responsibilities:

• Communicate with asset managers to understand fund characteristics and relevant market developments;
• Maintain high frequency monitoring of the portfolio holdings of Fitch rated funds, including timely identification of relevant trends, outliers and events (rating surveillance);
• Prepare rating proposals for presentation to internal rating committees;
• Develop and enhance systems and tools to help improve the team's ability to rate different fund types;
• Collect data from internal and third-party databases and other sources in support of the team's rating and research activities;
• Contribute to Fitch publications on industry trends and developments including research reports and Fitch Wires, progressively assuming more responsibility.

Fitch supports its analysts with internal training through the Fitch Credit Academy. Analysts are expected to study relevant training modules, participate in internal training sessions and pass various assessments according to their level of experience. Fitch also requires analysts to participate in training on its policies and procedures. Sponsorship is available for external qualifications such as the CFA.

Desired Candidate Profile:

Knowledge

Required:

• Relevant work experience, acquired at, for example, a fund credit analysis group at a bank, an investment consultancy, an investment manager, a rating agency, a fund administrator / trustee, or a fund audit firm.
  • Other backgrounds may be relevant provided the candidate can demonstrate sufficient aptitude in the other behaviours and skills detailed below and clear motivation to work on funds and asset managers at Fitch.
• A solid educational background demonstrating skills which are directly relevant to, or transferable to, this role.
  • Applications from candidates with non-financial education are welcome, provided they can demonstrate relevant transferable knowledge and show sufficient motivation for the role.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English (candidates will be asked to create a new writing sample).
• Strong numerical / data management skills, including a high level of proficiency in using Microsoft Excel (Excel skills will be tested).
• Priority will be given to candidates who also have programming skills, such as VBA & Python.

Desirable:

• Experience of accessing data providers notably Bloomberg and Lipper for Investment Management;
• Able to produce high quality presentation slides using Microsoft PowerPoint;
• Additional European language skills;
• Willingness to study towards / progress made towards the CFA;
• Able to write publication-standard reports;
• Non-bank financial institution credit analysis experience.

Behaviours

Required:

• Intellectual curiosity: demonstrates a thirst to understand the investment decisions made by rated funds and asset managers, their behaviour and the environment in which they operate;
• Thinks analytically: applies methodologies appropriately and insightfully in reaching structured decisions. A later stage of the interview process will feature a case study;
• Team work: able to work collaboratively as part of a multi-cultural and multi-location team;
• Self-starter: able to work independently where required;
• Pays close attention to detail;

Desirable:

• Can cope with time pressure and deadlines;
• Able to resolve conflict constructively;
• Carries out work in an organised manner.

Given the requirement for rating agencies to provide independent opinions, professional integrity and discipline is required and you must be able to appreciate the wider regulatory environment in which Fitch operates.

The role will require some travel (subject to applicable public health restrictions).

Fitch is committed to providing global securities markets with objective, timely, independent and forward-looking credit opinions. To protect Fitch's credibility and reputation, our employees must take every precaution to avoid conflicts of interests or any appearance of a conflict of interest. Should you be successful in the recruitment process at Fitch Ratings you will asked to declare any securities holdings and other potential conflicts for you and your Family Members prior to commencing employment. If you, or your Family Members, have any holdings that may conflict with your work responsibilities, they must be sold before beginning work. In certain roles, employees and their Family Members may be limited to investments in diversified mutual funds only.

For more information about this policy, please visit the code of ethics and conduct page - http://www.fitchratings.com/web/en/dynamic/about-us/code-of-ethics-and-conduct.jsp

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