Power and Energy Infrastructure Project Finance, Managing Director (Chicago)

CFA Institute; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 270,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Work Environment

Retirement planning

Comprehensive healthcare offerings

Paid volunteer days

Job summary

CFA Institute is seeking a Managing Director for Power and Energy in Chicago. This senior role will lead a team of 10 analysts covering numerous debt issuers. Ideal candidates will have extensive project finance expertise and proven leadership experience.

Candidates should possess deep knowledge of power and energy sectors and exhibit strong communication and management skills. The position offers a hybrid work model and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience in a capital markets and/or credit analysis role.
• Experience managing people and teams.
• Strong understanding of project finance structures.

Responsibilities

• Direct managerial responsibility for a team of 10 analysts.
• Provide credit leadership in the ratings process.
• Represent Fitch externally in industry meetings.

Skills

Project finance experience

Leadership

Knowledge of power and energy sectors

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

CFA/MBA or other advanced qualification

Job description

Managing Director - Power and Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance (Chicago)

Fitch's U.S. & Canada Corporates, Infrastructure and Project Finance (CIPF) Rating team is looking for a Managing Director to lead the Power and Energy Project Finance team in our Chicago office. The role reports to the Head of Utilities, Power and Energy teams within the CIPF group. This senior leadership role is responsible for leading analytical coverage, sector research, and market engagement in a growing sector and managing a team of 10 analysts covering more than 75 public and private debt issuers.

Fitch Ratings is one of the world’s top three credit rating agencies, providing credit analysis, ratings, research, and commentary to financial market participants. For over a century, Fitch has created value for global markets through rigorous analysis and deep expertise.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Extensive experience in project finance, infrastructure finance, credit analysis, or debt capital markets, with significant focus on power and energy assets;
• Deep understanding of project finance structures, financing documentation, contractual arrangements, and risk allocation frameworks;
• Strong knowledge of the power and energy sectors, including renewable and conventional power generation, electric and natural gas transmission, and LNG assets;
• Proven leadership experience managing teams and mentoring analysts;
• Strong, well‑established relationships across the power, energy, and infrastructure sectors, including issuers, sponsors, lenders, investors, advisors, and other capital markets participants.

How You’ll Make an Impact:

• Have direct managerial responsibility for a team of 10 analysts covering more than 75 public and private debt issuers;
• Provide credit leadership in the ratings process, ensuring consistent application of Fitch’s criteria and methodologies;
• Chair or lead rating committee discussions and provide senior judgment on rating recommendations and surveillance actions;
• Oversee development of rating rationales, research publications, sector outlooks, and market commentary;
• Contribute to criteria development and analytical consistency, and support strategic business initiatives within Fitch;
• Represent Fitch externally in meetings with issuers, sponsors, banks, investors, advisors, and other market participants;
• Lead, mentor, and develop analysts within the project finance team;
• Foster a positive, collaborative and high‑performing work environment and contribute to the overall ethos of the U.S. and Canada CIPF rating team in a manner that prioritizes and advances Fitch’s strategic goals;
• Champion analytical excellence and operational efficiency by adopting best practices and leveraging new technologies.

You May Be a Good Fit if You Have:

• 15+ years of relevant experience in a capital markets and/or credit analysis role;
• Experience managing people and teams;
• A healthy sense of intellectual curiosity and a lifelong learning mindset;
• Ability to shift fluidly between multiple projects as priorities change;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Bachelor’s degree required; CFA, MBA, or other advanced qualification preferred.

Why Choose Fitch:

• Hybrid Work Environment: 3 days a week in office required
• A Culture of Learning & Mobility: Dedicated trainings, leadership development and mentorship programs designed to ensure continuous learning opportunities
• Investing in Your Future: Retirement planning and tuition reimbursement programs
• Promoting Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare offerings
• Supportive Parenting Policies: Family‑friendly policies, including a generous global parental leave plan
• Inclusive Work Environment: A collaborative workplace where all voices are valued, with Employee Resource Groups
• Dedication to Giving Back: Paid volunteer days, matched funding for donations and ample opportunities to volunteer in your community

Fitch is committed to providing global securities markets with objective, timely, independent and forward‑looking credit opinions. To protect Fitch’s credibility and reputation, our employees must take every precaution to avoid conflicts of interest or any appearance of a conflict of interest. If you are successful in the recruitment process at Fitch Ratings you will be asked to declare any securities holdings and other potential conflicts prior to commencing employment. If you, or your immediate family, have any holdings that may conflict with your work responsibilities, you may be asked to divest yourself of them before beginning work.

Fitch is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affiliation Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.

FOR NEW YORK AND CHICAGO ROLES ONLY: Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $270,000 and $310,000 per year. Actual salaries will be determined on an individualized basis and may vary based on factors including but not limited to education, training, experience, past performance, and other job‑related factors. Base pay is one part of Fitch’s total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, discretionary bonuses, long‑term incentives, and other benefits sponsored by Fitch.