As one of the world’s top three credit ratings agencies, Fitch Ratings plays a critical role in global capital markets by providing supplementary 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.

At Fitch Ratings, credit analysts play a pivotal role in moving markets, as quality credit analysis is the lifeblood of our organization. With a legacy of over a century, our unique approach to credit ratings offers unmatched opportunities for professional growth. Embracing a “challenger mindset,” you'll join a team dedicated to innovating service to our clients. Our people-driven analysis thrives on collaboration across all levels and locations, surpassing traditional financial modeling. Lastly, as part of our global community, you'll find inspiration, challenge, and support, with ample opportunities for visibility and influence in the global financial marketplace.

Want to learn more about a career as a credit analyst at Fitch Ratings? Visit: https://careers.fitch.group

Fitch Ratings is seeking a Senior Director to join its Asset-Backed Securities (Digital Infrastructure - Fiber & Wireless Towers) group in our Chicago office.

The position is within the North American ABS team, with a strong emphasis on securitization backed by fiber networks and wireless tower assets, sponsored by US Telecom corporates. This role requires a corporate finance background with deep understanding of telecom and digital infrastructure business models, transitioning to structured finance ratings.

This is a senior position, which will be responsible for a wide range of projects including: sector analytical leadership, managerial and direct responsibility for analytical activities including rating and monitoring digital infrastructure ABS transactions, regular direct engagement with bankers and issuers, and authoring market commentary and research.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong experience in a corporate finance or credit analysis role focused on telecommunications or digital infrastructure, combined with an ability to apply structured finance principles. Candidates must clearly demonstrate ability to analyze fiber and tower business fundamentals including technology trends, regulatory developments, competitive dynamics, and business model risks to develop credit views in an ABS context. In this leadership role strong communication skills (verbal and written) are essential, given broad internal and external responsibilities to disseminate credit views.

What We Offer:

• A rewarding leadership experience to expand your managerial talents and lead a successful and growing team
• An opportunity to be a leader in the top rating agency in ABS, bringing corporate finance expertise to a growing sector within structured finance
• A role that aids debt capital markets in making more informed decisions through timely, insightful, and forward-looking rating actions and research
• Ability to grow the depth and breadth of your presence in digital infrastructure ABS through active external participation
• A dynamic and fluid work environment expanding the breadth and depth of your involvement in the debt capital markets

We’ll Count on You To:

• Lead deal teams to analyze critical credit, legal and structural elements of digital infrastructure ABS transaction structures
• Contribute to dynamic rating workflows by leading rating analysis on a portfolio of fiber and tower ABS transactions and participating externally with investors, issuers and bankers
• Deploy and implement various credit tools and cashflow models to form analytical views and recommendations on fiber network and wireless towers considering all relevant market trends
• Stay abreast of sector trends including 5G deployment, fiber-to-the-home expansion, carrier credit quality, regulatory changes, and competitive dynamics, and communicate views internally and externally
• Assist in the development of ratings criteria for digital infrastructure ABS, including forming recommendations to bolster analysis and make strategic sector decisions
• Lead and/or support sector trend research reports and projects

You May be a Good Fit if:

• We are looking for a credit professional with a BA/BS degree and a minimum of 7-years work experience with corporate finance or credit analysis background in telecommunications, digital infrastructure, or related sectors. Experience or willingness to transition into structured finance/ABS rating frameworks is essential
• Experience managing a team, ability to inspire and strategically plan workflows and progress on multiple projects in parallel
• Fitch is a team-oriented work environment, so excellent interpersonal skills are essential, as is a high productivity work-ethic and a results-oriented mindset
• Knack for communicating credit views (particularly in writing) and ability to analyze large data sets including network performance metrics, tenant diversification, covenant structures, and business fundamentals
• Strong understanding of credit fundamentals and current economic conditions, combined with a willingness and ability to quickly learn structured finance concepts and ABS rating methodologies

What Would Make You Stand Out:

• Direct experience in corporate finance analysis of telecoms, fiber network or wireless tower companies, either buy-side, sell-side, or rating agency is prized
• Exposure to or understanding of structured finance, securitization, or ABS transactions
• CFA candidate, or other professional designations highlighting strong capacity for the role
• Thoughtful views on technology deployment trends, spectrum allocation, carrier consolidation, and regulatory frameworks impacting digital infrastructure businesses
• Passion for revenue / expense forecasting analysis, with practical experience in corporate credit assessment and telecommunications sector trends
• Desire to expand your capabilities into structured finance and ABS with the leading team in ABS

Why Choose Fitch:

• Hybrid Work Environment: 3 days a week in office required based on your line of business and location
• A Culture of Learning & Mobility: Dedicated trainings, leadership development and mentorship programs designed to ensure that your time at Fitch will be a continuous learning opportunity
• Investing in Your Future: Retirement planning and tuition reimbursement programs that empower you to achieve your short and long-term goals
• Promoting Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare offerings that enable physical, mental, financial, social, and occupational wellbeing
• Supportive Parenting Policies: Family-friendly policies, including a generous global parental leave plan, designed to help you balance career and family life effectively
• Inclusive Work Environment: A collaborative workplace where all voices are valued, with Employee Resource Groups that unite and empower our colleagues around the globe
• Dedication to Giving Back: Paid volunteer days, matched funding for donations and ample opportunities to volunteer in your community

Fitch is committed to providing global securities markets with objective, timely, independent and forward-looking credit opinions. To protect Fitch’s credibility and reputation, our employees must take every precaution to avoid conflicts of interest or any appearance of a conflict of interest. Should you be successful in the recruitment process at Fitch Ratings you will be asked to declare any securities holdings and other potential conflicts prior to commencing employment. If you, or your immediate family, have any holdings that may conflict with your work responsibilities, you may be asked to divest yourself of them before beginning work.
 
Fitch is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.

FOR CHICAGO: Expected base pay rates for the role are between $175,000 and $210,000 per year. Actual salaries will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, past performance, and other job-related considerations. Base pay is one component of Fitch’s total compensation package, which may also include commission earnings, discretionary bonuses, long-term incentives, and other benefits sponsored by Fitch, depending on the position. 

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