Director / Senior Director, Credit Commentary & Research - Cross-sector / Macro-Credit Research

At Fitch, we have an open culture where employees are able to exchange ideas and perspectives, throughout the organization, irrespective of their seniority. Your voice will be heard allowing you to have a real impact. We embrace diversity and appreciate authenticity encouraging an environment where employees can be their true selves. Our inclusive and progressive approach helps us to keep a balanced perspective.  Fitch is also committed to supporting its employees by advancing conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion.  Fitch’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have been established by employees who have joined together as a workplace community based on similar backgrounds or life experiences.  Fitch’s ERGs are available to connect employees with others within the organization to offer professional and personal support. 

With our expertise, we are not only creating data and information, but also producing timely insights from every angle to influence decision making in this ever changing and highly competitive market. We have a relentless hunger to innovate and unlock the power of human insights and to drive value for our customers. There has never been a better time to make an impact and we invite you to join us on this journey.

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.

Fitch Ratings is currently seeking a Director or Senior Director based out of our New York, Toronto or Chicago office.  

About the Team

Credit Commentary & Research (CCR) is a global cross-sector credit research team. We are responsible for Fitch Ratings’ cross-sector and Macro-Credit research including long-form on key credit themes such as the Global Risk Outlook, Global Credit Outlook and regional Credit Brief reports and other ad hoc thematic research.

In partnership with ratings analysts, we also manage the Fitch Wire product - high-volume, short-form research focused on timely analysis on topical issues of significant interest to investors. We are a part of Fitch Ratings’ Risk department and report to the Chief Credit & Risk Officer. We have analysts in New York, Toronto, London and Hong Kong.

How You’ll Make an Impact: 

• Drive macro-credit/cross-sector research and Fitch Wire commentary, ensuring delivery against objectives and alignment with strategic priorities as set by the Head of CCR. This includes responsibility for product innovation and quality control
• Identify key credit themes/risks, and execute research projects independently and through the direction of the Head of CCR. This will require building and maintaining strong working relationships with key stakeholders
• Coordinate with other members of the CCR team to help develop and drive research themes and ideas within the wider company
• Identify research gaps in our output, especially for macro-credit themes that require coordination across groups
• Drive new research product innovations based on feedback from key stakeholders
• Author 90 Fitch Wires and 9 longer research reports on major credit themes, working in collaboration with ratings analysts.

You May be a Good Fit if You Have:

• Deep analytical experience with a ratings agency, research firm, sell-side or buy-side investment firm

• Versatile research analyst with top-down, cross-sector publication
• A track record of driving research outcomes, including idea generation and product innovation within the financial industry
• Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively in a consensus culture
• Ability to think laterally and work as a cross-sector/cross-geography analyst
• Analytical economics experience
• Preference is for the role to be New York based, but open to applicants in Toronto or Chicago

What Would Make You Stand Out: 

• A deep and diverse track record of publishing financial/credit research that demonstrates a high degree of sectoral versatility and macro knowledge
• Passion for financial research (including sell-side, buy-side, ratings agency, independent research firm) with a strong interest in research innovation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to participate in external outreach via webinars, podcasts or other media
• Samples of past research/analysis with examples of driving a new research product from idea to execution

Why Choose Fitch: 

• Hybrid Work Environment: 2 to 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
• Dedication to Giving Back: Paid volunteer days, matched funding for donations and ample opportunities to volunteer in your community

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 interests 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 ROLES ONLY: Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $145,000 and $170,000 (Director) / $170,000 and $200,000 (Senior Director) per year. 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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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.