Funds Ratings - Director (Dublin)

CFA Institute; Dublin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work schedule

Competitive benefits and paid time off

Pension plan

Professional development assistance

Job summary

CFA Institute is looking for a Director to join our Funds Ratings team in Dublin. The role involves leading credit ratings on various debt instruments while collaborating with experts across sectors. Candidates should have extensive experience in fund finance and a strong analytical background.

The position requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, along with advanced Excel proficiency. Benefits include a flexible hybrid work schedule and competitive remuneration.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of work experience in fund finance or structured finance.
• Understanding of subscription lines and NAV financing.
• Ability to assess creditworthiness of funds and assets.

Responsibilities

• Lead new issuance rating process and evaluate capital structures.
• Interact with issuers to assess their investment processes.
• Prepare rating memos and recommendations for committees.
• Supervise and mentor junior team members.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Experience with investment strategies

Advanced proficiency in Excel

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, or Math-related fields

Tools

Generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT)

Job description

Position: Funds Ratings - Director (Dublin)

Entity: Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited

Employment Type: Full-time

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Summary / Overview

KBRA Europe Limited is seeking a Director to join our growing Funds Ratings team in the Dublin office. The Funds team assigns and monitors credit ratings on various debt instruments issued by funds, and other fund vehicles. KBRA evaluates financing instruments that support fund operations, enhance liquidity, and optimize capital structures. These include subscription credit lines, which provide liquidity by bridging capital calls; NAV-based loans and credit facilities, which offer leverage against a fund's portfolio assets; and feeder fund rated notes, which facilitate investment through debt instruments. KBRA’s growing ratings portfolio encompasses funds that leverage a variety of investment strategies including fixed‑income securities, private equity, private credit, direct lending, real estate, infrastructure and asset‑based financing. A strong candidate will have extensive experience and interest in fund investment and credit strategies and in how funds operate, deploy capital, and generate cash flows.

About the Job

• Lead new issuance rating process, including evaluating key factors such as an issuance’s capital structure, legal protection, collateral quality, cash‑flow dynamics and the manager’s experience and track record.
• Interact with issuers, conducting due diligence meetings with issuers and managers to assess their investment process, experience, risk‑management skills, and overall ability to execute strategies.
• Prepare rating memos and new issuance report, and make recommendations to the rating committees.
• Lead ongoing monitoring and surveillance process and keep abreast of developments on the outstanding issuances and ratings.
• Develop and maintain complex spreadsheets and databases.
• Collaborate with KBRA experts in other sectors such as project finance, corporate finance, financial institutions, and structured finance to develop approaches to evaluating complex multi‑asset strategies.
• Supervise and mentor junior team members to leverage their contributions while supporting their development of analytical and professional skills.
• Lead or assist with the development of analytical tools to standardise rating approaches and streamline new issuance and surveillance processes.
• Represent KBRA at industry conferences, panels, and investor meetings, engaging with market participants to share insights on fund ratings and credit trends.
• Assist with in‑depth credit research and publications on new development, trends or topical subjects related to funds.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, or Math related fields or any subject that results in strong analytical skills.
• Eight (8) or more years of work experience in fund finance, investing, or structured finance.
• Experience with investment strategies in private equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, and asset‑based lending facilities.
• Understanding of subscription lines, NAV financing, hybrid facilities, rated feeders, or other fund finance products.
• Experience reviewing legal documents and strong understanding of liability structures, LTV/advance rates, payment priorities, and structural protections.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel required to build and analyse Excel‑based financial models to assess asset cash‑flow projections and debt repayment under stress scenarios.
• Ability to assess creditworthiness of funds, assets, and counterparties; understanding how this applies to rating methodologies is a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to prepare clear, concise, and well‑reasoned credit memos and reports and present them to committees efficiently.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work as an integral part of a highly collaborative team and across disciplines in a challenging and dynamic environment and effectively manage internal and external relationships.
• CFA or interest in obtaining CFA is a plus.
• Ability to 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.

Benefits

• A flexible hybrid work schedule – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays in the office.
• Competitive benefits and paid time off.
• Pension plan.
• Educational and professional development financial assistance.
• Employee referral bonus programme.

About Us

KBRA (Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC) 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 organisation by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset‑backed securities to file a short‑form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognised by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe is located at One George’s Quay Plaza, Dublin 2, Ireland.