Associate Director/ Director, Corporate Ratings, Australia

Company Overview:

Fitch Group is a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries. Fitch Group is comprised of: Fitch Ratings, a global leader in credit ratings and research; Fitch Solutions, a leading provider of credit market data, analytical tools and risk services; and Fitch Learning, a preeminent training and professional development firm. With dual headquarters in London and New York, Fitch Group is owned by Hearst.

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.

As a global credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings gauges the ability of entities and instruments to meet their credit obligations. Investors and financial market participants rely on multiple sources, and the credit rating - indicating how an issue or transaction is likely to perform over time - is one of their key inputs. In this way, we help investors map potential credit risks.

Fitch Solutions, a subsidiary of Fitch Ratings, provides a range of industry-leading products and professional development services to the global financial community. In addition to offering proprietary market-based content, it distributes the ratings, research and financial data of Fitch Ratings through a variety of flexible platforms. With innovation and experience behind every solution it brings to market, our offerings are designed to meet the diverse needs of the fixed-income markets.

Fitch complies with all laws governing employment in each jurisdiction in which it operates, and provides equal opportunity to all applicants and employees. All applications will be considered without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, and other status protected by applicable laws.

Department Overview:

Fitch Ratings' Corporate group provides public and private ratings of companies and their debt instruments, on both the international and national rating scale. Debt instruments include bank loans, senior and subordinated debt, commercial paper and preferred stock.

The Corporate ratings analytical methodology addresses the legal, regulatory and market environments in over 100 countries in which Fitch Ratings operates, with particular emphasis on debt structure. Corporates group analysts continually expand and deepen their research, combining industry expertise with the finest analytical tools to offer well-informed and timely judgments. Analysts are readily available and responsive to investors. Through our structure, our people and our process, the Corporates group provides broad coverage and exceptional service.

Like many groups within Fitch Ratings, the Corporates group places great importance on interaction with its colleagues around the world and other areas of the firm, such as the Sovereign and Structured Finance groups. This collaboration ensures a more comprehensive assessment of an entity's strategic initiatives, competitive position, financial performance and the overall dynamics of the industry in which it operates.

The Asia Pacific Corporate's group has analysts in Sydney, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Jakarta, Seoul, Bangkok, Colombo, and Mumbai. There are four sector teams: Energy & Utilities; Telecoms, Media & Technology; South East Asian Industrials and North Asian Industrials. Additionally, there is a specialist APAC Research group based in Sydney and Shanghai that is responsible for cross sector thematic research in the region.

Responsibilities:

The candidate will take lead analytical responsibility for a varied portfolio of corporate issuers primarily Australia across Industrials, Property & Real Estate / Homebuilding, Energy & Utilities and Diversified Manufacturing. He/She will take a lead role in meeting and appraising debt issuers in the sector. He/She will then present and discuss his/her recommendations to a rating committee and will also be responsible for presenting them effectively and in an incisive manner to external parties. Additional analytical focus will comprise ad hoc sector commentaries, detailed thematic sector research reports and rating actions to events of the day.

The role also involves outreach meetings with investors and intermediaries and will entail some travel. The successful candidate will also be expected to support the team as and when required and support the maintenance of regional sector databases and financial models.

The portfolio of primary coverage can be around 10-12 entities in total plus back-up analytical coverage on a similar number of rated entities. The exact portfolio assumed will be tailored to suit the individual's skills and experience and is expected to grow over time.

Experience, Qualifications & Skills:

• A minimum of 6 years' experience in credit or analytical role is required in order to successful carry out this role; Specific experience within any of the following sectors is required for Director level candidates: Industrials, Property & Real Estate/ Homebuilding, Energy & Utilities and Diversified Manufacturing
• Recent financial modelling experience is essential
• Familiarity in Fitch's criteria and methodology would be highly beneficial
• Director level candidates must be experienced and comfortable presenting analysis to and liaising with C-suite executives; and also dealing with media queries
• Director level candidates, experience with reviewing legal documentation associated with cross border capital markets issuance is essential
• Financial based professional qualification such as CFA/CPA/CIMA is essential for Director level candidates
• Fluent English, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills, is essential
• Excellent communication skills, particularly in the context of report writing and oral presentation
• Strong team player and possess excellent inter-personal skills, with an ability to integrate quickly into an established team and to deal with colleagues and external parties across the Asia-Pacific region.
• Self-starter. The candidate will be expected to show initiative as well as managing and prioritising his/her time and work both independently and as part of a small team

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