Senior Director, North America Sovereigns - Fitch Ratings - New York, NY

Job Description

Based in the New York office, the successful candidate would report to the Global Head of Sovereigns in London.

We are looking for a senior analyst with 5-10 years experience of economic and financial analysis focused on sovereign credit, including specific exposure to the North American region. The primary responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to focus on the analysis and rating of Sovereign entities in the region. He/she will also provide some support for ratings coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The role will involve conducting in-depth analytical meetings with the sovereign authorities (Treasury and Central Bank) of rated entities and other relevant constituents, establishing working relationships with officials, updating databases and preparing forecasts, writing credit rating reports, presenting credits to a rating committee and preparing research reports and press releases for publication.

The successful candidate will also be required to produce written research and commentary on topical sovereign credit issues and developments in the region, as well as initiating and contributing to broad macro-economic research projects coordinated by the Global group from London.

Additionally, the successful candidate will be required to represent the agency’s views on North American and relevant macro-economic and sovereign credit topics to external constituents, including investors, issuers, bankers and the media. He/she would need to be an excellent communicator, able to deliver confident, insightful presentations at conferences and other public events and to present the agency’s views across a range of media platforms, including broadcast television interviews.

As a senior member of the team, the candidate would be expected to contribute to reviews of –and refinements to – the sovereign criteria and the Group’s rating models.

It is critical that the candidate should be a self-starter and be able to work independently, while also being able to engage with colleagues across different time zones and maintaining regular communication with the Global Head. He/she must be able to cope with time pressure and deadlines and be able to travel as necessary.

Key Responsibilities :

· Organise and lead rating visits for sovereign issuers under primary coverage

· Produce credit reports and other written research

· Initiate/originate relevant topical commentary and other research

· Maintain country databases for the sovereigns that form part of the coverage

· Contribute to cross-regional macro-economic research and related analytical projects

· Communicate the agency’s views on sovereign credit and macro-economic issues to key constituents including investors, issuers, bankers and the media.

Person Specification:

A good educational background, including strong and relevant qualifications in macro-economics at degree level. A balance of incisive numerical and analytical skills, together with an ability to speak and write concise, fluent English. Numerate, with experience in writing essays/reports and proficiency in Excel and Word. Appropriate post-graduate academic or professional qualifications in economics and/or finance with relevant experience of sovereign credit analysis. Excellent communication skills. Spanish or Portuguese language skills would be advantageous. Ability to work to tight deadlines and display a strong degree of flexibility to take on additional responsibilities, as required.

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