Group Credit Officer (GCO) for Structured and Fund Finance - Senior Director - North America - CHI (Chicago)

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Group Credit Officer (GCO) for Structured and Fund Finance – Senior Director – North America

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 defence 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. A key focus of this role will be on all aspects of Commercial Real Estate within Structured Finance, with a strong preference for it 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 Structured and Fund Finance. 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.
• Assist product groups in implementing policy for the broad application of ratings criteria and models,

• Work in partnership with the analytical, operations, legal and compliance groups to improve the rigour of the analytical system,

• Communicate with the analytical group on the most important credit topics facing 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 Group Credit Officers 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 credit experience (10-15yrs) with a Structured Finance focus
• Strong background in Commercial Real Estate analysis
• Prior experience in a rating environment a strong plus but not essential
• Prior criteria development skills are desirable
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Evidence of ability to engage stakeholders in alternative viewpoints in a constructive manner is essential
• Ability to demonstrate independence of thought

Why Fitch?

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 Ratings is part of the Fitch Group, a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries, and a fully-owned subsidiary of the Hearst group.

Fitch Ratings and Fitch Solutions are equal opportunity / affirmative action employers, 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 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 NEW YORK AND CHICAGO ROLES ONLY: Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $185,000 and $225,000 per year. Actual salaries will be determined on an individualized basis and may vary based on 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. Fitch is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law. 

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