Group Credit Officer (GCO) for Banks and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, Senior Director- Chicago (Chicago)

This job is with Fitch Group, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

As one of the world’s top three credit ratings agencies, Fitch Ratings plays a critical role in global capital markets by providing credit analysis, ratings, research, and commentary to financial market participants. For over 100 years, Fitch Ratings has been creating value for global markets through its rigorous analysis and deep expertise, which have resulted in a variety of market leading tools, methodologies, indices, research, and analytical products. Fitch Ratings is part of Fitch Group, a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries, which also includes Fitch Solutions. With dual headquarters in London and New York, Fitch Group is owned by Hearst. 

Explore a career at Fitch Ratings and you’ll join a collaborative network of curious minds. Here, our differences are our strengths - in life as well as our work. Together we work with integrity and objectivity to provide clarity to the world’s financial markets. We pride ourselves on our ability to harness the ideas, expertise, and professionalism of our global workforce, which is integral to our continued success. The accessibility and depth of experience of our industry leading analysts, combined with our broad sector credentials, allow us to help market participants make important credit decisions with confidence.

The Credit Officer Group (COG) works in partnership with the analytical, operations, legal and compliance groups to ensure Fitch’s ratings are timely, robust and consistent. COG forms part of Fitch’s Risk group which as the second line of defense is an important function in monitoring and maintaining Fitch’s controls. The group reports ultimately to the Chief Credit Officer.

The Credit Officer Group acts in a challenger function. COG focuses on risk identification, including offering alternative viewpoints; analyzing ratings performance and ratings comparability; linking rating trends with current fundamentals and macro-economic developments; participating directly at committee; criteria application and effectiveness; and overseeing the review of unique or complex ratings proposals.

GCOs form a global team, which consists of 17 colleagues across 12 cities, offering high visibility and direct involvement in critical credit decisions, strategy, and criteria development. The focus of this role will be on North American (U.S. and Canadian) banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), with a strong preference for the successful candidate to be based in a North American Fitch Ratings office.

The position adheres to Fitch’s onsite flex policy.

What We Offer:

The successful applicant will be part of the Group Credit Officer (GCO) function within Risk, responsible for all GCO functions covering North American banks and NBFIs. The GCO function offers high visibility through direct involvement in many important credit decisions and is a regular part of credit strategy discussions at Fitch Ratings.

We’ll Count on You To:

• Identify immediate and developing risks that deserve additional analytical focus
• Challenge the credit thinking of Fitch’s analytical groups with alternative viewpoints
• Assess Fitch’s rating performance,
• Attend committees and monitor the application of criteria and variations
• Participate in the criteria development process,
• Create a strong credit culture by being a role model for Fitch’s values of transparency, independence, timeliness, rigour & integrity and diversity & inclusion.
• Communicate with the analytical group on the most important credit topics impacting the rated portfolio,
• Discussion of ratings and risks with key market participants to exchange views and gather information regarding credit matters,
• Facilitate communication across regions to ensure a consistent approach to similar credit issues, including periodic organization and provision of training on credit matters,
• Lead and contribute to research on important credit themes, and
• Work closely with GCOs covering other asset classes and Regional Credit Officers in order to identify, discuss and address credit matters and economic issues that may impact multiple sectors.

What You Need to Have:

• Extensive 10 + years of credit experience with a Financial Institutions focus
• Prior experience in a rating environment a strong plus but not essential
• Prior criteria development skills are desirable
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong data analysis skills
• Evidence of ability to engage stakeholders in alternative viewpoints in a constructive manner is essential
• Ability to demonstrate independence of thought

Why Choose Fitch:

• Hybrid Work Environment: 3 days a week in office required based on your line of business and location
• A Culture of Learning & Mobility: Dedicated trainings, leadership development and mentorship programs designed to ensure that your time at Fitch will be a continuous learning opportunity
• Investing in Your Future: Retirement planning and tuition reimbursement programs that empower you to achieve your short and long-term goals
• Promoting Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare offerings that enable physical, mental, financial, social, and occupational wellbeing
• Supportive Parenting Policies: Family-friendly policies, including a generous global parental leave plan, designed to help you balance career and family life effectively
• Inclusive Work Environment: A collaborative workplace where all voices are valued, with Employee Resource Groups that unite and empower our colleagues around the globe

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 interest or any appearance of a conflict of interest. Should you be successful in the recruitment process at Fitch Ratings you will be asked to declare any securities holdings and other potential conflicts prior to commencing employment. If you, or your immediate family, have any holdings that may conflict with your work responsibilities, you may be asked to divest yourself of them before beginning work.

 
Fitch is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.

FOR CHICAGO: Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $180,000 and $220,000. Actual salaries will be determined on an individualized basis and may vary based on factors including but not limited to education, training, experience, past performance, and other job-related factors. Base pay is one part of Fitch’s total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, discretionary bonuses, long-term incentives, and other benefits sponsored by Fitch.

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