The incumbent will be part of the Johannesburg-based Financial Institutions team, which assigns credit ratings to banks and non-bank financial institutions in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. This team is a segment of the broader EMEA Financial Services Practice, emphasizing inclusivity and collaborative work dynamics.

The Impact:

In this role, the individual will be a key contributor to ratings surveillance and new rating assignments, covering all aspects of rating analysis. They will also engage in market research, publications, and other projects as necessary, significantly influencing the financial thought leadership in the region.

What You Stand to Gain:

As an Associate Director in the S&P Global Financial Institutions team, you will assume a credit rating primary analyst role for a portfolio of 10-12 credits. This position offers opportunities for professional growth through timely rating surveillance, assigning new ratings, participating in rating committees, and collaborating on research commentaries. The role fosters strong communication skills and curiosity, essential for both internal discussions and external publishing and presentations.

Responsibilities:

• Manage a client-facing portfolio of financial institutions ratings, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of credit ratings and publishing high-quality, forward-looking reports.
• Prepare rating committee materials, update research reports, and lead client meetings.
• Initially focus on the coverage of banks in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, with opportunities to collaborate with analysts in the Middle East and Africa team covering sovereigns and insurance companies.
• Undertake rigorous analytical work and contribute to research and writing well-structured analytical reports.
• Analyze and act upon information quickly to maintain and enhance the quality and timeliness of analysis.

What We’re Looking For:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Economics is preferred.
• An S&P employee at this level typically has 6-8 years of relevant work experience with sound knowledge of accounting principles and financial statement analysis for banks and other financial services companies.
• Strong proficiency with figures and the ability to quickly analyze and act upon information.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the capacity to expand, learn, and make analytical contributions.
• Highly organized, capable of meeting deadlines, and working under time pressure.
• A strong team player with the ability to work in a dynamic, collaborative, and multicultural environment.
• Independent and critical thinking with a keen eye for innovation.