Position: Corporate Portfolio Finance Research – Associate Director (NY)
Entity: Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC
Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: New York, NY
Summary/Overview
KBRA is seeking an Associate Director to join its Corporate Portfolio Finance Research Group, a highly visible and interconnected team responsible for producing market-facing, data-driven research focused on the private credit ecosystem. The role sits at the center of KBRA’s proprietary data ecosystem and focuses on translating complex datasets into credit-oriented insights for investors, issuers, fund managers, bankers, and internal stakeholders.
About the Job
- Develop research in collaboration with sector experts, leveraging years of proprietary data, including:
- Corporate research that leverages KBRA’s access to financial statements, lender investment memoranda, and credit agreements for more than 5,300 sponsor-backed middle market companies.
- Fund research derived from rated note feeders, collateralized fund obligations, private equity net asset value loans, and asset-based finance reporting and performance.
- Structured credit research, including analysis of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and related structured products.
- Develop a deep understanding of the key drivers of credit performance, including how private markets function, risk dynamics, and return generation.
- Collaborate with senior members across the firm on research, database development, and analysis.
- Participate in diligence meetings with fund management teams to understand key themes and risks emerging in private markets.
- Lead the development of thematic, market-facing research pieces that shape external perspectives on private markets.
- Track defaults and recoveries, and research the underlying drivers.
- Write quarterly reports on corporate credit, structured credit, and fund-related topics, as well as intermittent updates based on recent trends or news.
- Develop presentations used internally and for public conferences.
You will be successful in this role if you have
- A keen curiosity about private markets and credit with a demonstrated capability and willingness to learn.
- Attention to detail.
- Demonstrated initiative to explore ideas and develop original, defensible, data-driven views that can be synthesized into public papers.
- Strong understanding of either corporate, fund, or structured credit analysis.
- Strong writing skills.
- Familiarity with generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT). Coding or programming experience is a plus.
- 4-8+ years of experience in credit, research, banking, journalism, investing, or structured finance.
- A bachelor's degree.
Salary Range:
The anticipated annual base salary range for this full-time position is $120,000 to $150,000. Offer amounts are determined by factors such as experience, skills, geography, and other job-related factors.
Benefits:
- A hybrid work schedule (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays in the office)
- Competitive benefits and paid time off
- Paid family and disability leave
- 401(k) plan, including employer match (100% vested)
- Educational and professional development financial assistance
- Employee referral bonus program
About Us
Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority pursuant to the Temporary Registration Regime. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider.
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Skills Required
- A keen curiosity about private markets and credit with a demonstrated capability and willingness to learn
- Attention to detail
- Strong understanding of either corporate, fund, or structured credit analysis
- Strong writing skills
- A bachelor's degree
- Coding or programming experience is a plus
Kroll Bond Rating Agency Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Kroll Bond Rating Agency and has not been reviewed or approved by Kroll Bond Rating Agency.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with employer match—often immediately vested—and a pension program are part of the offering. These features strengthen long‑term financial benefits beyond base pay.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid vacation, holidays, and paid family/disability leave are part of the package, with generous PTO available in many roles. This breadth of time off stands out within the overall package.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — A predictable hybrid schedule (commonly Tuesday–Thursday in office) and wellbeing resources are standard components. These elements support day‑to‑day flexibility and work‑life balance.
Kroll Bond Rating Agency Insights
What We Do
KBRA was established in 2010 in an effort to restore trust in credit ratings by creating new standards for assessing risk and by offering accurate and transparent ratings. KBRA provides the investment community with an alternative solution by delivering timely and in-depth research. KBRA is a full service global rating agency whose mission is to set a standard of excellence and integrity.
