Vice President, Fund Finance Ratings - Surveillance

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

About the Role

Morningstar DBRS is seeking a Vice President to join the Fund Finance Ratings team, which is part of the U.S. Structured Credit team, focusing on the surveillance of existing credit ratings. This credit analyst will serve as a lead analyst supporting a growing portfolio of investment fund debt credit ratings.

A successful candidate will have relevant experience in fund finance and/or credit ratings. The role requires strong sector knowledge, analytical and quantitative skills, sound credit judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

U.S. Structured Credit is a credit ratings analytics team that assigns and monitors credit ratings, develops research, and maintains credit rating methodologies for investment fund debt, including feeder fund debt, subscription lines and collateralized fund obligations (CFOs), as well as collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), other corporate securitizations and bespoke credit rating opportunities.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as lead analyst responsible for monitoring transaction performance and surveilling existing credit ratings, including but not limited to feeder fund debt, secured facilities, unsecured debt, subscription loan facilities and collateralized fund obligations.

• Prepare and present detailed analysis, recommendations and committee materials to credit rating committees.

• Conduct portfolio analysis using Morningstar DBRS-developed predictive models and credit rating methodologies.

• Draft credit rating letters, press releases and other relevant disclosures.

• Prepare for and lead management meetings and maintain issuer and client relationships.

• Participate in meetings and calls with market participants and issuers.

• Assess legal, regulatory, counterparty and other risks related to Fund Finance and U.S. Structured Credit ratings.

• Exercise independent credit judgment and develop well-supported credit recommendations.

• Train and mentor junior analysts.

• Collaborate with other Morningstar DBRS credit teams to support credit rating surveillance, analysis, administration and research.

• Adhere to compliance, regulatory and company policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in finance, accounting, business, economics or a related discipline required.

• 7+ years of relevant experience, which may include:

  • Credit ratings experience covering funds, BDCs, CLOs or related asset classes;

  • Fund finance, private credit, investment banking or legal experience focused on funds-related transactions;

  • Credit risk management experience covering credit funds, private credit or related strategies; or

  • Other relevant experience as a market participant within fund finance, private credit or structured credit.

• Strong knowledge of and experience with credit funds, BDCs, CLOs, private credit and/or private equity.

• Demonstrated ability to independently analyze credit risk, exercise sound credit judgment and develop well-supported recommendations.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel skills such as building complex formulas or models, pivot tables and charts.

• Strong research and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present clear, concise and well-supported committee materials, reports and credit recommendations.

• Ability and willingness to proactively learn and apply new analytical approaches and methodologies.

• Self-starter with the ability to prioritize competing demands, work independently and complete high-quality work with a sense of urgency.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and mentor junior analysts.

Nice to Have

• Rating agency experience, including familiarity with credit rating methodologies, committee processes and the broader ratings framework.

• Knowledge of analytical programming languages or tools, such as VBA or Python.

About Us
Morningstar DBRS is a leading provider of independent rating services and opinions for corporate and sovereign entities, financial institutions, and project and structured finance instruments globally. Rating more than 4,000 issuers and 60,000 securities, it is one of the top four credit rating agencies in the world.

Morningstar DBRS empowers investor success by bringing more transparency and a much-needed diversity of opinion in the credit rating industry. Our approach and size allow us to be nimble enough to respond to customers' needs in their local markets, but large enough to provide the necessary expertise and resources they require. Market innovators choose to work with us because of our agility, tech-forward approach, and exceptional customer service.

Morningstar DBRS is the next generation of credit ratings.

Compensation and Benefits

At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That's why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

• Financial Health

  • 100% 401k match up to 6% of salary

  • Stock Ownership Potential

  • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission

• Physical Health 

  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages

  • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual

  • Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance

• Emotional Health 

  • Trust-Based Time Off

  • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program

  • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave

  • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave

  • Adoption Assistance

  • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities

  • Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses

  • Tuition Reimbursement

• Social Health 

  • Charitable Matching Gifts program

  • Dollars for Doers volunteer program

  • Paid volunteering days

  • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Base Salary Compensation Range

$113,308.00-$178,794.66

Incentive Target Percentage

30% Annual

If you receive and accept an offer from us, we require that personal and any related investments be disclosed confidentiality to our Compliance team (days vary by region). These investments will be reviewed to ensure they meet Code of Ethics requirements. If any conflicts of interest are identified, then you will be required to liquidate those holdings immediately. In addition, dependent on your department and location of work certain employee accounts must be held with an approved broker (for example all, U.S. employee accounts). If this applies and your account(s) are not with an approved broker, you will be required to move your holdings to an approved broker.

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.

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