Structured Finance - CMBS, Associate Director, Surveillance - Chicago

Fitch Group, Inc., Fitch Ratings, Inc., Fitch Solutions Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Mentorship program

Tuition reimbursement

Healthcare coverage

Parental leave

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

Fitch Ratings, Inc. in Chicago seeks an Associate Director in Structured Finance – CMBS Surveillance to analyze credit opinions, publish research, and present findings to committees.

You’ll assess US and Canadian CRE properties, perform cash flow and portfolio analysis, and mentor junior analysts in a collaborative, North America–focused team.

The role emphasizes strong Excel modeling, quantitative analysis, and clear written and verbal communication for external engagement and rating decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, real estate, or related field.
• 5–7 years experience in CRE underwriting, valuation or loan workouts.
• Advanced Excel and Word; financial modeling a plus.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and organizational skills.
• Experience across various commercial property types.
• Excellent written and oral communication for committee presentations.

Responsibilities

• Identify and assess credit strengths and risks of U.S. and Canadian CRE properties including market analysis and industry trends.
• Use quantitative skills to analyze property, loan-level and portfolio-level characteristics with cash flow analysis and valuations.
• Prepare detailed committee materials and communicate rating conclusions to credit committee.
• Publish detailed rating commentaries and research reports.
• Mentor or manage junior analysts.

Skills

Excel

Analytical skills

Quantitative analysis

Communication skills

Multitasking

Word

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/real estate

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Structured Finance – Credit Analyst, Associate Director – CMBS (Surveillance) – Chicago

Structured Finance – Credit Analyst, Associate Director – CMBS (Surveillance) in our New York / Chicago office.

Successful candidates should demonstrate the ability to analyze and develop credit opinions relating to CMBS transactions, communicate credit opinions to the public and publish research on transactions and industry trends.

About the Team

Join a team focused on providing Fitch’s opinions and commentary regarding transactions and ratings within the Commercial Real Estate sector to investors and market participants. Our team's responsibilities include a diverse portfolio of CRE, including multi- and single-borrower transactions, CRE CLO and Data Centers, across North America. Foster a collaborative and team-oriented work environment.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Identify and assess credit strengths and risks of U.S. and Canadian commercial real estate properties including market analysis, property-level fundamentals, and industry-specific trends that may impact loan performance. (30%)
• Use quantitative skills to analyze property, loan-level and portfolio-level characteristics as well as industry trends within an assigned portfolio. Includes detailed property cash flow analysis and updated property valuations on performing and non-performing loans. (30%)
• Prepare detailed committee materials and communicate rating conclusions to credit committee. (20%)
• Publish detailed rating commentaries and research reports. (10%)
• Mentor or manage junior analysts. (10%)

You May be a Good Fit if

• You hold a bachelor's degree, with preference for a degree in finance, real estate, or a related field.
• You have 5 to 7 years experience in commercial real estate underwriting, valuation or loan workouts.
• You demonstrate advanced expertise in Excel and Word, experience in financial modeling a plus.
• You have strong analytical, quantitative, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• You have experience across various commercial property types.
• You exhibit excellent written and oral communication skills for committee presentations and external engagement.

What Would Make You Stand Out

• Securitization or capital markets experience.
• Loan workout and/or lending experience.

Why Choose Fitch

• Hybrid Work Environment: 3 days a week in office required based on your line of business and location.
• A Culture of Learning & Mobility: Dedicated trainings, leadership development and mentorship programs designed to ensure that your time at Fitch will be a continuous learning opportunity.
• Investing in Your Future: Retirement planning and tuition reimbursement programs that empower you to achieve your short and long-term goals.
• Promoting Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare offerings that enable physical, mental, financial, social, and occupational wellbeing.
• Supportive Parenting Policies: Family-friendly policies, including a generous global parental leave plan, designed to help you balance career and family life effectively.
• Inclusive Work Environment: A collaborative workplace where all voices are valued, with Employee Resource Groups that unite and empower our colleagues around the globe.

Fitch is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and affirmatively action 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.

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. Should you be 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.