Position Title: Corporates Ratings - Associate Director (New York / Chicago)
Entity: Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC
Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois
Summary/Overview:
KBRA (Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC) is seeking an Associate Director to join our growing our Corporates Ratings team with a focus on conducting fundamental credit analysis and research across a wide range of sectors.
The Associate Director will work in a highly collaborative team that liaises with internal and external stakeholders to produce high quality and timely corporate credit opinions. The Associate Director will also help conduct credit research on a variety of industrial sectors, including analyzing and publishing trends, key rating factors, and evolving credit metrics. This individual will have significant interaction with senior management of corporate issuers, and their advisors. This position is based in our New York or Chicago office.
Job Responsibilities:
- Lead the credit rating process by preparing internal credit memos, analyzing cash flows, performing sector analysis, and publishing credit reports.
- Author sector research for investors and lenders across private credit, direct lending, and public debt markets.
- Assist in the development and evolution of rating processes and analytical tools.
- Participate in issuer and investor meetings to explain KBRA methodologies and demonstrate understanding of industry trends.
Key Job Qualifications:
Flourish in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment. Effectively collaborate with your team members and are motivated to succeed and continually strive for consistency, accuracy and timeliness.
You will be successful in this role if you:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics or management or any subject that prepared you to be a thoughtful qualitative and quantitative analyst and a strong writer. Master’s degree and/or CFA are preferred.
- A minimum of five (5) or more years of work experience performing credit analysis within Corporates in a rating agency, buy-side, sell-side, banking, or other similar environment within a bank or other financial institution. Prior fundamental credit training (including financial statement analysis) is preferred.
- Conduct due diligence and interact with clients as part of the rating process.
- Possess a solid understanding of capital markets and relevant experience in credit, fixed income research or capital markets.
- Experience with corporate financial statements including 10-Ks, 10-Qs.
- Work as an integral part of a team and across disciplines in a challenging and dynamic environment.
- 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.
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills.
- Strong quantitative skills including advanced capabilities with Excel and proficiency in financial statement analysis.
- Ability to work, lead, and seamlessly integrate in a highly collegial, dynamic, and innovative work environment.
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.
KBRA 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.
More Info
KBRA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
#LI-DG1
#LI-HYBRID
Skills Required
- 5+ years of experience performing credit analysis
- Experience in Power, Energy and Renewable Finance
- Strong communication skills
- Advanced Excel skills
- Degree in finance, economics or management
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
