Assistant Vice President, Private Corporate Credit

Morningstar • Chicago, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Morningstar DBRS is seeking an Assistant Vice President to join its Private Corporate Credit team. The role applies fundamental credit analysis to assess small- to medium-sized, highly leveraged companies and contributes to independent credit opinions across a range of industries. Working with senior analysts and management, the Assistant Vice President leads ongoing surveillance of a portfolio of corporate credits, evaluates financial performance and credit risks, and develops recommendations for rating committees. The position also engages with lenders, investors, bankers, and other market participants, with exposure to private credit and leveraged finance markets.

The Private Corporate Credit team assesses the creditworthiness of middle-market and highly leveraged companies through fundamental analysis, financial data, research, and ongoing surveillance. Its work provides insights into borrower performance, credit trends, and emerging risks to support investment and lending decisions.

Requirements

• Four to six years of relevant experience in corporate credit analysis, leveraged finance, corporate lending, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, business, or a related discipline.
• Strong fundamental credit analysis skills, including financial statement analysis, cash flow modeling, leverage assessment, and corporate credit risk evaluation.
• Solid understanding of corporate debt and capital markets, including familiarity with high-yield bonds, leveraged loans, and related financing structures.
• Experience reviewing and interpreting legal documentation associated with corporate debt and loan issuance.
• Strong analytical judgment and the ability to develop, articulate, and defend credit recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex credit analysis clearly and confidently to internal and external stakeholders.
• A proactive, collaborative approach, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with exposure to high-yield or middle-market corporate issuers.
• CFA designation.
• Demonstrated interest in private credit and private capital markets, with a desire to deepen expertise in this area.

Responsibilities

• Lead ongoing credit surveillance of a portfolio of small- to medium-sized, highly leveraged companies across various industries.
• Conduct fundamental credit analysis, including financial statement analysis, cash flow assessment, leverage evaluation, and identification of key credit risks.
• Prepare rating committee materials, develop credit recommendations, and lead discussions communicating analytical conclusions and credit views.
• Produce timely, high-quality written credit reports and research articulating credit fundamentals, key risks, and rating considerations.
• Monitor financial performance, industry developments, and market trends to identify emerging risks and changes in credit quality.
• Build and maintain relationships with lenders, investors, bankers, and other market participants to support credit analysis and market intelligence.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of credits, ensuring timely reviews, accurate analysis, and adherence to analytical methodologies and processes.
• Contribute to improvements in analytical workflows, data management, and internal research capabilities.

Benefits

• 401(k) match of 100% up to 6% of salary.
• Stock ownership potential.
• Company-provided life insurance equal to 1x salary plus commission.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions of up to $500–$2,000 annually for specific plans and coverages.
• Medical wellness incentives of up to $300–$600 annually.
• Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance.
• Trust-based time off.
• Six-week paid sabbatical program.
• Six-week paid family caregiving leave.
• Eight to 24 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Adoption assistance.
• Leadership coaching and formal mentorship opportunities.
• Annual flex stipend of $1,000 for personal education and well-being expenses.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Charitable matching gifts program.
• Dollars for Doers volunteer program.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Employee resource and affinity groups.
• Hybrid work environment, generally four days in-office each week in most locations, with other benefits available to enhance flexibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior