Senior Vice President, Global Business Development - Strategic Accounts

Position Overview:

Morningstar DBRS is seeking a Senior Vice President to join its Strategic Accounts team within Global Business Development. The individual will be responsible for managing and expanding relationships across a portfolio of key institutional clients, including private equity firms, asset managers, insurers, and investment funds.

Reporting to the Managing Director, Strategic Accounts, the Senior Vice President will support the development and execution of account strategies designed to deepen client engagement, identify new business opportunities, and increase awareness and adoption of Morningstar DBRS ratings. The role will work closely with colleagues across Business Development, Analytical, Product, Strategy, Marketing, and other commercial teams to coordinate client activity and deliver a consistent, enterprise-wide approach to strategic accounts.

The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of debt capital markets, experience managing complex institutional relationships, and an understanding of the role credit ratings play in financing and investment decisions across public and private markets. This role is based in our New York office.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and grow relationships across an assigned portfolio of strategic institutional accounts.

• Develop strong relationships with senior stakeholders and decision-makers, including C-suite executives where appropriate.

• Partner with the Managing Director to develop and execute account plans aligned with broader strategic account priorities.

• Build a comprehensive understanding of each client’s business model, investment strategy, financing activity, organizational structure, and market positioning.

• Identify client needs, upcoming transactions, and potential business development opportunities across Morningstar DBRS product sectors and geographies.

• Coordinate client engagement across Business Development, Analytical, Product, Strategy, and commercial teams to ensure a consistent and informed approach.

• Lead the preparation and coordination of client meetings, including establishing objectives, developing briefing materials, identifying internal participants, and managing follow-up actions.

• Participate in senior client meetings and support the Managing Director in engagement with the most significant strategic relationships.

• Translate client needs and market developments into actionable opportunities for Morningstar DBRS.

• Share client feedback and market intelligence with internal stakeholders to help inform product development, commercial priorities, and business development strategy.

• Collaborate with Marketing and Events teams on targeted client communications, roundtables, conferences, and other engagement initiatives.

• Maintain accurate account plans, relationship information, meeting activity, and business development opportunities within Salesforce.

• Monitor account activity and provide regular updates on engagement, pipeline development, opportunities, and potential risks.

• Represent Morningstar DBRS at client meetings, conferences, and relevant industry events.

Requirements:

• 10+ years of experience in strategic account management, business development, relationship management, ratings advisory, debt capital markets, or a related area within financial services.

• Strong understanding of debt capital markets and the role of credit ratings across public and private credit, structured finance, project finance, and corporate finance.

• Demonstrated experience managing large, complex institutional clients and developing relationships with senior stakeholders.

• Proven ability to identify business opportunities, develop account strategies, and coordinate activity across multiple internal teams.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong commercial judgment and the ability to understand and respond to complex client needs.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate, influence, and build consensus across analytical, product, strategy, and commercial teams.

• Strong organizational, account-planning, prioritization, and time-management skills.

• Ability and willingness to travel as required.

• Experience using Salesforce or a comparable customer relationship management platform.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field; MBA, CFA, or another relevant advanced qualification is a plus.

Compensation and Benefits

At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That’s why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

• Financial Health

  • 100% 401k match up to 6% of salary

  • Stock Ownership Potential

  • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission

• Physical Health 

  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages

  • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual

  • Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance

• Emotional Health 

  • Trust-Based Time Off

  • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program

  • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave

  • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave

  • Adoption Assistance

  • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities

  • Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses

  • Tuition Reimbursement

• Social Health 

  • Charitable Matching Gifts program

  • Dollars for Doers volunteer program

  • Paid volunteering days

  • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Base Salary Compensation Range

Incentive Target Percentage

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.