Funds Ratings - Director (London)

Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is seeking a Director to join our growing Funds Ratings team in the London office. The Funds team assigns and monitors credit ratings on various debt instruments issued by funds and other fund vehicles. KBRA evaluates financing instruments that support fund operations, enhance liquidity, and optimize capital structures, including subscription credit lines, NAV-based loans, and feeder fund rated notes. KBRA's growing ratings portfolio encompasses funds that leverage a variety of investment strategies including fixed income, private equity, private credit, direct lending, real estate, infrastructure and asset‐based financing. A strong candidate will have extensive experience and interest in fund investment and credit strategies and how funds operate, deploy capital, and generate cash flows.

About The Job

• Lead new issuance rating process, including evaluating key factors such as capital structure, legal protection, collateral quality, cash flow dynamics and issuer experience and track record.
• Interact with issuers, conducting due diligence meetings to assess investment process, experience, risk management skills and overall execution ability.
• Prepare rating memos, new issuance reports and make recommendations to rating committees.
• Lead ongoing monitoring and surveillance process and keep abreast of developments on outstanding issuances and ratings.
• Develop and maintain complex spreadsheets and databases.
• Collaborate with KBRA experts in other sectors such as project finance, corporate finance, financial institutions and structured finance to develop approaches to evaluating complex multi‐asset strategies.
• Supervise and mentor junior team members to leverage their contributions while supporting their development of analytical and professional skills.
• Lead or assist with the development of analytical tools to standardize rating approaches and streamline new issuance and surveillance processes.
• Represent KBRA at industry conferences, panels, investor meetings, and engage with market participants to share insights on fund ratings and credit trends.
• Assist with in‐depth credit research and publications on new development, trends or topical subjects related to funds.

You Will Be Successful in This Role If You Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, or Math related fields or any subject that results in strong analytical skills.
• Eight (8) or more years of work experience in fund finance, investing, or structured finance.
• Experience with investment strategies in private equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, and asset‐based lending facilities.
• Understanding of subscription lines, NAV financing, hybrid facilities, rated feeders, or other fund finance products.
• Experience reviewing legal documents and strong understanding of liability structures, LTV/advance rates, payment priorities, and structural protections.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel to build and analyze financial models to assess asset cash flow projections and debt repayment under stress scenarios.
• Ability to assess creditworthiness of funds, assets, and counterparties; understanding how this applies to rating methodologies is a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to prepare clear, concise, and well‐reasoned credit memos and reports and present them to committees efficiently.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work as an integral part of a highly collaborative team and across disciplines in a challenging dynamic environment and effectively manage internal and external relationships.
• CFA or interest in obtaining CFA a plus.
• Ability to manage time and resources in a fast‐growing company.
• Familiarity with Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT for research, data insights, and general productivity is a plus.

Benefits

• A flexible hybrid work schedule – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays in the office.
• Competitive benefits and paid time off.
• Paid family and disability leave.
• Pension plan.
• Educational and professional development financial assistance.
• Employee referral bonus program.

About Us

Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) is a full‐service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. KBRA is a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset‐backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus, and is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider. KBRA is also registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority pursuant to the Temporary Registration Regime. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is located at Augustine House, Austin Friars, London, EC2N 2HA, United Kingdom.