Group Credit Officer (GCO) for Banks and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, Senior Director- Chicago

Fitch Group•Chicago, IL

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

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. 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 defense 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. The focus of this role will be on North American (U.S. and Canadian) banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), with a strong preference for the successful candidate to be based in a North American Fitch Ratings office. The position adheres to Fitch’s onsite flex policy.

Requirements

Extensive 10 + years of credit experience with a Financial Institutions focus
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong data analysis skills
Evidence of ability to engage stakeholders in alternative viewpoints in a constructive manner is essential

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a rating environment a strong plus but not essential
Prior criteria development skills are desirable

Responsibilities

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.
Communicate with the analytical group on the most important credit topics impacting 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
Work closely with GCOs 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.