Director, EMEA Insurance

Financial Institutions – Credit Analyst – EMEA Insurance – Director – London

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/content/Credit-Analysts/

About the Team

The Fitch Ratings Financial Institutions Group has actively built the agency into the global leader in insurance credit rating coverage. Our experienced analysts provide comprehensive, timely and transparent coverage of major institutions around the world, as well as unparalleled coverage of smaller companies. Our analysts offer a diversity of talent and backgrounds, with experience in regulatory oversight, counterparty analysis, auditing, investment banking, buy-side investing and more.

The Global Insurance Group is responsible for assigning and maintaining international and national credit ratings on insurance entities and their debt issues worldwide. The Group is split into four areas: North America, EMEA, APAC and Latin America. The EMEA Insurance team employs a team of 16 credit analysts in London, Frankfurt, Paris, Madrid, Dubai and Stockholm.

How You’ll Make an Impact: 

We are currently looking to add an experienced Director to our EMEA insurance team. The successful candidate’s coverage will focus primarily on UK Insurance, but with flexibility to cover other markets.

Primary duties will include:

• Act as lead and secondary analyst on a portfolio of rated insurers, primarily in the UK Life and UK Non-Life insurance sectors
• Produce timely topical or market commentary in support of analytical work
• Engage with investors, bankers, regulators and media on Fitch’s ratings and analytical views
• Present analysis of rated insurers to Fitch's internal credit rating committees
• Lead onsite meetings with insurance executive management teams
• Prepare and publish issuer and industry research reports
• Mentor colleagues

You May be a Good Fit if:

• Strong analytical skills and industry knowledge: experience in the UK Life insurance sector; expert understanding of insurance and financial services regulation and reporting, particularly regulatory Solvency standards
• Strong credit knowledge: exercising sound credit intuition to ascertain risks and rating drivers for insurance companies
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills: communicates constructively with various stakeholders, demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills; self-motivated professional who works well in a team environment
• Time management: prioritizes and recognizes key credit elements and focuses on these points. Rating reviews may have strict deadlines set by regulation and Fitch’s policies. Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
• Flexibility: Willingness to work on ratings in other countries and travel within EMEA as the wider team’s rating coverage grows

What Would Make You Stand Out:

• Experience working within the UK Life insurance sector either within firms, in consulting or in regulation
• Demonstrated proficiency in insurance accounting standards, especially IFRS 17
• Ability to communicate analysis and views in a cogent fashion
• Demonstrated track record of initiative and achievement
• Qualified Actuary (Associate or Fellow)

Why Choose Fitch: 

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

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