Associate Director, BRM - Direct Lending & Private Debt (Private Credit)

BRM Corporates & Infrastructure is currently seeking an AD for its Direct Lending and Private Debt (Private Credit) Team based in London Canary Wharf office.

Department Overview

The role is based within the Business & Relationship Management (“BRM”) group in London, which leads business development and marketing efforts for Fitch Ratings. Within the BRM group, the EMEA Corporates & Infrastructure Group is responsible for the growth and development of the corporate ratings portfolio and managing relationships with corporate issuers, investment banks, investors and asset managers, debt advisory firms, private equity firms and law firms. The team has a primary focus on key influencers in the rating decision process, managing key relationships based in London and also oversees coverage across Fitch’s network of offices in the EMEA region.

Role

This is a relationship management and business development role reporting to the Head of EMEA Direct Lending & Private Debt, BRM. The focus of this role is to assist in the management of the day-to-day relationships and marketing to prospective rating users both in the UK and across the EMEA region. The role will entail regular interaction with a variety of market participants throughout the EMEA region. The principal objective of the team is to originate new, mostly private rating mandates from asset managers, institutional investors, banks and issuers across Corporate and Infrastructure Finance, both IG and sub-IG, as well as manage an existing book of business, through targeted outreach and client engagement with a broad range of debt market professionals.

This new and exciting position would suit an individual with existing market, CRA, leveraged finance or corporate credit experience that wishes to develop their career in a business development role with direct front line relationship management responsibilities and gain exposure to the dynamic, fast evolving and high profile area of private credit. An important aspect of the role will be to raise the profile of the Fitch brand and capabilities in private credit through consistent marketing activities, initiatives and to generate ratings related business. This role requires a broad appreciation and understanding of Corporate Finance and the functioning of Debt Capital Markets. Experience and familiarity / specialty knowledge of Leveraged Finance, Infrastructure and Project Finance, Private Credit, CLOs and/or insurance regulation together with an appreciation of corporate credit analysis is advantageous.

Day to day responsibilities involve:

• Promoting the capabilities and use of Fitch Ratings to the Private Credit Market participants and generating new rating related business and revenues.
• Developing and growing the private rating book across the Corporates and infrastructure verticals.
• Marketing to and outreach to IG/Leveraged Finance law firms as influencers in the rating decision.
• Developing new and existing relationships covering the leading EMEA HY Investors.
• Maintaining a target list of Investors and potential clients in pursuit of the strategy for marketing to Private Debt firms throughout the EMEA.
• Undertaking an active outreach programme to new and prospective mandating parties.
• Producing and maintaining bespoke analysis and pitch book material for engagement with the various parties to promote Fitch.
• Engaging with corporate relationship managers and analytical colleagues on target and potential target names.
• Building relationships with the various parties through criteria and sector teach-ins.
• Supporting relationship development with senior lawyers who have direct influence over documentation and issuer/banker relationships.
• Helping develop initiatives and joint events with top law firms or Private Debt firms.
• Working with industry bodies such as ICMA, AFME, LMA, ELFA etc. to promote Fitch Ratings.
• Identifying and developing new rating business opportunities across the private credit market.
• Ensuring client outreach is recorded and disseminated using the Salesforce system.
• Undertaking contract renewals and confidently initiating fee discussions and negotiations.

Skills Required:

The successful candidate will ideally have some experience of debt capital markets, with a working knowledge of the ratings process and understanding of leveraged finance, High Yield and/or Private Equity markets. Additionally, the candidate should ideally have:

• An ability to establish a network of contacts throughout the banking, investor, and/or legal communities.
• An awareness of leveraged finance, debt capital markets, private markets and/or corporate M&A.
• Experience of interacting with issuers and investors.
• An ability to effectively build relationships internally and capable of working collaboratively yet independently.
• A proven track record and ability to persuade and negotiate effectively.
• A demonstrable capability of originating new business and closing deals.

University degree, preferably in a business related discipline. Other professional or business qualification (e.g., relevant legal qualification, MBA) would be an advantage; strong command of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and knowledge of Fitch range of products, Bloomberg and Salesforce an advantage.

Hybrid Work Environment: 3 days a week in office required.

Fitch is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.