Ratings Advisory VP

Some companies see diversity as a box to be ticked. We see it as fundamental to our success and we encourage a proper work/life balance. At ING, you will be judged on your performance in line with the Orange Code.

Team Overview:

The London based Ratings Advisory team is focused on corporate ratings advisory on a pan-European basis. External ratings - typically those produced by the ‘big-3’ rating agencies (S&P, Moody’s and Fitch) – increasingly represent the key facilitator of a company’s ability to access and optimise non-bank (and in increasingly bank) capital sources. As such, the role would involve exposure to the many front office areas of the bank where external ratings are important. At its core, the work of the department is fundamentally orientated around corporate credit analysis. This role would provide any applicant with an excellent opportunity to develop already existing credit risk knowledge – an area which has material cross-over in many areas of banking, investing and finance.

More specifically, the team’s role encompasses:

• Positioning ING’s various front office teams across Europe (for example DCM, Acquisition Finance and Sector Coverage teams) with value-add, company bespoke, rating insight within the context of marketing processes – we are often central to the client presentation team.
• Providing internal rating views on various transactions and structures to facilitate ‘forward motion’ and discussion internally, for example, between front office and loan syndications, front office and risk, front office and their clients etc.
• Live execution of external advisory mandates for key ING clients in conjunction with a front office transaction – often a senior DCM role or an Acquisition Finance Mandated Lead Arranger role.
• Generally acting as a centre of technical expertise related to external ratings and their implications for capital structure optimisation within the ING organisation and providing answers to ad hoc rating related questions as well as spreading knowledge about ratings and rating agencies throughout the organisation.

Despite being a deal execution team, motivated by deadlines, operating at very high standards, in line with the overall ethos of ING, the Ratings Advisory team takes to heart and practices the concepts of work-life balance and overall wellbeing. In our view, without that, we cannot remain effective in our jobs in the long-term.

Role Description:

The role would suit someone who is currently in a banking front office or advisory team (e.g. corporate finance/DCM/leveraged finance/debt advisory/industry sector team or similar) who has experience of corporate credit ratings analysis and live execution exposure or currently working in a bank Ratings Advisory team. Initially be centered on partnering the seniors (Directors/MD) within the team in all aspects of their work. In time, the intention would be for the successful candidate to produce their own rating opinions and take a more central role in live executions of ratings mandates with increased independence. As such, the role provides exceptional opportunities for both technical development in the field of ratings and exposure to a great many ING front office teams, transactions and sectors.

Core Tasks & Material Responsibilities:

Specific tasks will include:

• Actively supporting the Ratings Advisory Deal Principal (RADP or ‘seniors’) in live execution situations. This will be core to the role.
• Taking responsibility on production of components of the ‘set piece’ Ratings Advisory Presentation (RAP) under the guidance RADP and managing the various teams of ING junior resource (from out with Ratings Advisory) who form the backbone of RAP content production.
• Producing analysis of rated peers (core to forming a rating view).
• Responsibility (for the already existing) Ratings Advisory model template.
• Production of the rating specific content of client presentations.
• Constantly developing analytical and execution skills to position as an RADP in time.

ING’s purpose is ‘Empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. Every ING colleague is given the opportunity to contribute to that vision. We promote self-reliance and foster a collaborative and innovative culture. The Orange Code is our global manifesto for how we stay true to our purpose and our tradition of reinvention and empowerment. It is made up of ING Values (we are honest; we are prudent; we are responsible) and ING Behaviours: (you take it on and make it happen; you help others to be successful; you are always a step ahead).

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