Compliance- Associate Director

As one of the world’s top three credit ratings agencies, Fitch Ratings plays a critical role in global capital markets by providing supplementary 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.

Joining Fitch Ratings in LATAM offers the opportunity to work with the most celebrated credit ratings organization in the region, renowned for its excellence and leadership. We boast a track record of over four decades of experience, with more than 2,000 ratings assigned to Latin American banks, corporates, structured finance, sovereigns and other entities. We cover the most relevant capital markets, showing a deep-rooted understanding of the region's unique financial environment. Our team is committed to innovation and collaboration, providing a dynamic environment where you can make a difference.

About the Team

Fitch Ratings’ LATAM Compliance team is currently looking to hire a Compliance Associate Director in Brazil or Mexico. The position will be based in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, or Monterrey.

The Compliance Associate Director – Latin America will report to the LATAM Head of Compliance.

The successful candidate will support efforts to enhance compliance processes in Latin America (with special focus on Brazil), aligning with global strategies, and collaborating with various departments to ensure adherence to local regulations and internal policies. This individual will assist as a point of contact for compliance issues affecting Fitch Ratings operations and will coordinate between Fitch Ratings and regulators. The position offers the opportunity to engage with regulators and work with different areas, providing exposure to compliance activities impacting Fitch Ratings’ operations in LATAM.

How You’ll Make an Impact: 

• Assist with regulatory compliance matters in Latin America, particularly in fulfilling regulatory reporting obligations, and collaborate with team members on regional and global compliance issues.
• Support the management of relationships with regulators, including organizing responses to supervisory inspections, examinations, and ad hoc information requests.
• Help ensure Fitch Ratings’ operations in Latin America comply with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Monitor regulatory changes and differences between regulators, reporting findings to the LATAM Head of Compliance and senior management.
• Develop an understanding of relevant credit rating regulations and foster productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist in the collection and internal dissemination of data required for regulatory reporting using MetricStream, coordinating internal communications, and supervising the loading of regulatory requirements.
• Support processes ensuring Fitch Ratings meets ongoing regulatory reporting obligations in the region and assist in coordinating responses to ad-hoc regulatory requests.
• Facilitate and support regulatory examination and inspection processes, including attending meetings, managing documentation, and drafting responses for regulators.
• Contribute to responses to regulatory exam findings, including tracking and monitoring the completion of recommendations.
• Participate in policy and procedure reviews and contribute to departmental initiatives across all areas of compliance.

You May be a Good Fit if:

This role is ideal for a dynamic and professional individual with experience in the financial services sector, particularly in working with or leading initiatives within Credit Rating Agencies. The ideal candidate is proactive, self-reliant, and adept at appropriately escalating issues when necessary. Essential qualifications include:

• A university degree or equivalent.
• Good organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Strong drafting and communication skills with attention to detail.
• Experience in project work and problem-solving, with a demonstrated ability to analyze considerations and present findings to stakeholders.
• Ability to learn and adapt to evolving regulations and develop approaches to compliance challenges.
• Experience dealing with regulatory agencies and supporting inspections/examinations in a financial services environment is an advantage.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines imposed by regulators and Fitch.
• Familiarity with MetricStream or other governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) systems is an advantage.
• Fluency in Spanish English, both written and spoken, is required.

What Would Make You Stand Out: 

• Portuguese are an advantage
• Previous experience in a credit rating environment is an advantage.

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 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. 

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