Corporate Portfolio Finance Research Associate Director (NY)

Corporate Portfolio Finance Research Associate Director (NY)

KBRA is seeking an Associate Director to join its Corporate Portfolio Finance Research Group, a highly visible and interconnected team responsible for producing market-facing, data-driven research focused on the private credit ecosystem. The role sits at the center of KBRA's proprietary data ecosystem and focuses on translating complex datasets into credit-oriented insights for investors, issuers, fund managers, bankers, and internal stakeholders.

Develop research in collaboration with sector experts, leveraging years of proprietary data, including:

• Corporate research that leverages KBRA's access to financial statements, lender investment memoranda, and credit agreements for more than 5,300 sponsor-backed middle market companies.
• Fund research derived from rated note feeders, collateralized fund obligations, private equity net asset value loans, and asset-based finance reporting and performance.
• Structured credit research, including analysis of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and related structured products.

Develop a deep understanding of the key drivers of credit performance, including how private markets function, risk dynamics, and return generation.

Collaborate with senior members across the firm on research, database development, and analysis.

Participate in diligence meetings with fund management teams to understand key themes and risks emerging in private markets.

Lead the development of thematic, market-facing research pieces that shape external perspectives on private markets.

Track defaults and recoveries, and research the underlying drivers.

Write quarterly reports on corporate credit, structured credit, and fund-related topics, as well as intermittent updates based on recent trends or news.

Develop presentations used internally and for public conferences.

You will be successful in this role if you have:

• A keen curiosity about private markets and credit with a demonstrated capability and willingness to learn.
• Attention to detail.
• Demonstrated initiative to explore ideas and develop original, defensible, data-driven views that can be synthesized into public papers.
• Strong understanding of either corporate, fund, or structured credit analysis.
• Strong writing skills.
• Familiarity with generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT). Coding or programming experience is a plus.
• 2 or more years of experience in credit, research, banking, journalism, investing, or structured finance.
• A bachelor's degree.

The anticipated annual base salary range for this full-time position is $120,000 to $150,000. Offer amounts are determined by factors such as experience, skills, geography, and other job-related factors.

A hybrid work schedule (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays in the office)

Competitive benefits and paid time off

Paid family and disability leave

401(k) plan, including employer match (100% vested)

Educational and professional development financial assistance

Employee referral bonus program