Ratings Associate - Structured Finance Group at Moody's Corporation in New York, NY

Experience Level: Early Career

Categories:

Students & Early Careers

Location(s):

7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich Street, New York, New York, 10007, US

At Moody's, we unite the brightest minds to turn today's risks into tomorrow's opportunities. We do this by striving to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome to be who they are-with the freedom to exchange ideas, think innovatively, and listen to each other and customers in meaningful ways.

If you are excited about this opportunity but do not meet every single requirement, please apply! You still may be a great fit for this role or other open roles. We are seeking candidates who model our values: invest in every relationship, lead with curiosity, champion diverse perspectives, turn inputs into actions, and uphold trust through integrity.

Skills and Competencies:

Some relevant experience (including internships) is preferred.
Excellent verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
Proficient in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Proactive and able to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
Strong organization skills, analytical thinking, and attention to detail.
Ability to adapt to a changing environment and prioritize tasks accordingly.
Some understanding of fixed income markets and/or credit knowledge is preferred.
Python and SQL skills preferred
Finance, mathematics, statistics, background preferred.

Education:

Minimum undergraduate/first-level degree (e.g. Bachelor's Degree, or equivalent qualifications) with strong academic performance (in the US, minimum GPA of 3.0).
Ability to start as part of our January 2025 or July 2025 depending on graduation date.

Responsibilities

Portfolio Management & Credit Quality
Working with lead analysts by performing day-to-day credit analysis related to ratings, research, presentations, and investor outreach. Examples of analytical work may include:

Reviewing financial spreadsheets and charts, analyzing data and financial statements, building and updating financial forecasts, and writing analytical commentary in accordance with Moody's methodologies.
Assisting with proprietary models and new financial projections as applicable, identifying trends in data, and applying analytical skills and judgment to form well-reasoned credit conclusions.
Developing a working knowledge of credit fundamentals through a review of components such as transaction documentation, cash flow analysis, or loss allocation rules.
Performing analytical tasks related to portfolio reviews and other credit projects.
Developing a working knowledge of Moody's methodologies and credit rating best practices, and applying these with guidance from lead analysts.
Collaborating with lead analysts in preparing the first draft of rating committee memos.
Developing the ability to understand and identify key factors that affect issuer credit ratings. Interpreting and analyzing financial data and other credit inputs provided by internal and external parties.
Monitoring credit quality and issuer and/or industry trends by following market developments and relevant news events, analyzing issuer reporting (including, in some rating groups monitoring and attending earnings calls), and engaging with issuers directly for follow-up clarification and information.
Attending and participating in rating committee meetings, including to offer analysis and opinion where appropriate. Preparing credit estimates analysis used to assess elements of credit risk in certain rated transactions.

Research, Investor Outreach & Market Interaction

Contributing to the first draft of core research (such as credit opinions, issuer and sector comments, press releases, pre-sale, and new issue reports) in collaboration with lead analysts.
Contributing to research strategy, including idea generation and preliminary drafting, and adhering to Moody's research standards.
Attending investor briefings and issuer meetings as required; helping prepare presentation materials in some cases; arriving prepared to engage in discussions.
Building positive relationships with issuers displaying initiative to understand the issuer's business and proactively responding to issuer inquiries.

Credit Administration

Operating applicable ratings and research systems and utilizing software specific to the rating group.
Demonstrating sound understanding and judgment in applying Moody's processes, documentation standards, and best practices, and adhering to all laws and policies.

Coaching & Guidance

Providing guidance in the delegation of work to the data processing team.
Actively managing workload pipeline to provide sufficient time for completion. Seeking guidance from the manager where needed to determine how to prioritize work.
Providing feedback to the manager on the quality and accuracy of work produced by the data processing team, while providing constructive and proactive feedback.

Risk Identification and Escalation

Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to certify relevant key codes as required. Complete mandatory required training in a timely manner.
Awareness of Moody's risk management approach.
Increase awareness of cyber risks and avoidance of vulnerabilities e.g., e-mail use (phishing malware).
Ensure high quality of work free errors.

The Role:

The Rating Associate will work with lead analysts in assigning and monitoring credit ratings; researching, drafting, and publishing research; and other activities. The Rating Associate will perform an evaluation of credit risk by integrating credit risk inputs prepared by internal and external parties. In conducting credit analysis for their assigned credits, transactions, or credit reviews. The Rating Associate are expected to participate in rating committee discussions and interact with issuers and other market participants, in collaboration with lead analysts.

The Rating Associate role is integral to Moody's focus on ratings accuracy, research, and market outreach. The Rating Associate role will typically focus primarily on one rating group, with the potential for cross-training in and/or work for other rating groups.

For US-based roles only: the anticipated hiring base salary range for this position is $78,500.00 - $113,750.00, depending on factors such as experience, education, level, skills, and location. This range is based on a full-time position. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for incentive compensation. Moody's also offers a competitive benefits package, including not but limited to medical, dental, vision, parental leave, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, life, disability, and accident insurance, a discounted employee stock purchase plan, and tuition reimbursement.

Securities Trading Policy (STP): Candidates for Moody's Corporation may be asked to disclose securities holdings pursuant to Moody's Policy for Securities Trading and the requirements of the position. Employment is contingent upon compliance with the Policy, including remediation of positions in those holdings as necessary.

Moody's is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, citizen status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Moody's also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about a reasonable accommodation, or need assistance with completing the application process, please email accommodations@moodys.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only, and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

For San Francisco positions, qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

This position may be considered a promotional opportunity, pursuant to the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Click here to view our full EEO policy statement. Click here for more information on your EEO rights under the law. Click here to view our Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination statement. Click here to view our Notice to New York City Applicants.
Candidates for Moody's Corporation may be asked to disclose securities holdings pursuant to Moody's Policy for Securities Trading and the requirements of the position. Employment is contingent upon compliance with the Policy, including remediation of positions in those holdings as necessary.

For more information on the Securities Trading Program, please refer to the STP Quick Reference guide on ComplianceNet

Please note: STP categories are assigned by the hiring teams and are subject to change over the course of an employee's tenure with Moody's.

Moody’s Corporation is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended by the Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002, 38 U.S.C. 4212 (VEVRAA), which requires Government contractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment: (1) disabled veterans; (2) recently separated veterans; (3) active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans; and (4) Armed Forces service medal veterans.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor

We Request Priority Protected Veteran and Disabled Referrals for all of our locations

Please contact Donna Hutchinson, Assistant Vice President, Talent Attraction for any questions regarding this listing.