Credit Risk Officer - Infra

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking; New York (NY); On-site; USD 185,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a highly motivated Credit Risk Officer to join their North America team. This pivotal role emphasizes Corporate and Structured Finance, particularly in Infrastructure and Project Finance transactions. The successful candidate will conduct in-depth credit risk assessments, prepare detailed credit opinions, and provide insightful analyses for clients across the Americas. The position offers an opportunity to contribute to process improvements, collaborate with various teams, and manage relationships with business units. If you are passionate about finance and ready to make a significant impact, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in credit risk or portfolio management roles.
• Strong understanding of structured finance and capital markets.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive credit risk assessments for new and existing clients.
• Monitor credit performance and prepare detailed risk opinions.

Skills

Credit Risk Analysis

Financial Analysis

Market Analysis

Portfolio Management

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance

MBA in Finance

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Natixis is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Credit Risk Officer (Director) to join our North America team. This role will primarily focus on Corporate and Structured Finance, with a strong emphasis on Infrastructure and Project Finance transactions. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting comprehensive credit risk assessments, preparing detailed credit opinions, and providing insightful market and financial analyses for both new and existing clients across the Americas.

Key Responsibilities

• Credit Risk Analysis: Prepare in-depth credit risk opinions, market analyses, and financial analyses of clients in the Americas for proposed transactions and annual reviews. Focus areas include Corporate and Structured Finance transactions, particularly within Infrastructure and Project Finance.
• Industry Expertise: Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the industries and transaction structures relevant to Natixis' focus areas.
• Portfolio Monitoring: Proactively monitor a designated portion of the portfolio, producing comprehensive credit risk assessments (including Annual Reviews, Quarterly Reviews, Watchlist Reports, and analyses of Amendments, Waivers, and other requests).
• Process Improvement: Contribute to the ongoing enhancement of credit risk processes and templates used by the bank.
• Risk Reporting: Identify and report any credit events that could lead to covenant breaches or a deterioration in the creditworthiness of borrowers or specific industries.
• Management Reporting: Assist in the creation of portfolio updates on key topics for senior management.
• Lending Policy Compliance: Ensure adherence to Lending Policy requirements throughout the credit approval process, from initial assessment to post-approval monitoring.
• Collaboration: Work closely with Front Office Origination, DRAS (Workout), AMP (Portfolio Management), Loan Review, and Credit Surveillance & Analytics teams.
• Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with business unit contacts to ensure timely and effective prioritization of new counterparty onboarding requests.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Credit Risk Assessment for New Exposures:

• Identify and evaluate credit risks associated with new clients in the Corporate and Structured Finance sectors, with a primary focus on Infrastructure & Project Finance transactions in North America.
• Analyze complex transactions, often non-recourse to sponsors and involving construction periods, across key sectors such as renewable/thermal energy (wind, solar, gas-fired), data centers, and transportation/other infrastructure assets.
• Prepare comprehensive credit risk opinions for new transactions, annual/quarterly reviews, and waiver/amendment requests, ensuring compliance with lending policy requirements.
• Conduct industry research and perform/request financial model sensitivities to support credit risk analysis and recommendations to senior management.
• Collaborate effectively with Front Office and Syndication Teams.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior management and credit committees.

Portfolio Monitoring of Existing Exposures:

• Monitor the credit performance of a portfolio of existing accounts.
• Prepare detailed credit risk opinions for Annual Reviews, Quarterly Reviews, Watchlist Reports, and analyses of Amendments, Waivers, and other requests.
• Track credit events, such as covenant breaches, and process credit alerts generated by internal systems.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date internal and regulatory ratings, as well as watchlist classifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance or a related field is required; MBA in Finance or a related field is preferred.
• Strong understanding of the banking system and financial products, including medium- to long-term non-recourse loans, structured finance, and capital markets instruments.
• Demonstrated experience in the renewable/thermal energy, digital infrastructure (data center), non-recourse asset-based lending, project finance, transportation, or corporate sectors is highly desirable.
• In-depth knowledge of credit risk analysis and cash flow modeling is essential.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in credit risk, portfolio management, or front office roles within a bank, insurance company, or large corporation.
• Proven ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and collaborate effectively within a team environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Detail-oriented and organized.
• Proactive and results-oriented.
• Adaptable and willing to learn new things.

Natixis is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a workplace free of discrimination. Natixis will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on age, color, mental or physical handicap or disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, alienage, ancestry or citizenship status, race, religion, sex (including sex stereotyping, gender identity, gender expression or transgender status), veteran status, creed, genetic information or carrier status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

Respect for all means that we deal with each person as an individual and not as a member of any group. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Management is expected to provide leadership in supporting the firms EEO program by taking steps to promote EEO in all facets of employment including recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, performance assessment, and career-development opportunities.

The salary range for this position will be between $185,000 - $215,000. Natixis is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. Actual base salary will vary and will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, education, skills set, applicable licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Base salary is only one component of our total rewards package. Natixis also offers a generous benefits package, and you may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award depending on company and individual performance.