Head Of Credit Research | Sandton

The Recruitment Council; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of Credit Research to lead their credit research function. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing credit research strategies, managing a team of analysts, and providing insights that drive investment decisions. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in finance, with a focus on credit risk management, and will be adept at fostering relationships across the organization. This is an exciting opportunity to influence key investment strategies in a dynamic market environment while contributing to the overall success of the organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years experience in asset management with credit portfolio risk exposure.
• Strong communication and presentation skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Credit Research function and oversee credit research strategy.
• Provide insights into credit portfolios and facilitate risk management.

Skills

People Skills

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Analytical Skills

Risk Awareness

Commercial Acumen

Decision Making

Strategic Relationship Building

Education

Mcom / MSc Hons degree in finance

CA(SA)

CFA

Tools

Excel

Credit Risk Models

Job description

Our client is looking for an individual to join their company as the Head of Credit Research.

Our client provides investors access to a range of specialist funds and investment opportunities in global markets.

Responsibilities :

Management :

1. All existing functions performed by the Head of Credit Research.
2. The candidate must take full responsibility for the Credit Research function.
3. Propose and oversee credit research strategy and framework for the company's business.
4. The successful candidate will be required to manage a team of credit analysts and their submissions to the relevant investment committees and report to governance committees within the company's investments related to Credit risk.
5. Management of all credit exposures throughout the company's portfolios.
6. Responsible for assessment of new transactions where Credit risk is undertaken.
7. Interaction with relevant Legal Advisor to ensure that Legal agreements are concluded for all transactions where credit risk is taken.
8. Management of the company's Credit Committee and the company's Credit Governance Committee to ensure smooth running of the committees.
9. Chairing of the company's Delegated Credit Committee.
10. Management of exposure limits, ratings and systems for Credit exposures.
11. Work closely with the Risk department and report directly any breaches in terms of concentrations and risk limits.
12. Attendance, input and interaction at relevant forums, committees etc. related to Credit Risk.
13. Ad hoc requests related to credit research function.

Client Engagement :

1. Providing key stakeholders with pro-active research insights into trends, market risk appetite, issues, threats, and opportunities in all credit portfolios.
2. Be proactive in sharing insights across the company's business and risk cluster in respect of counterparties where Credit exposure is taken.
3. Partnering with business clusters to maintain credit losses, profitability and other credit risk exposures.
4. Work in collaboration with the Head of Credit, to ensure alignment in thinking about credit exposures.
5. Provide insight and optimise problem management processes with risk prone investments on the surveillance and watchlist.
6. Facilitate the understanding for the suitability of instruments for specific portfolios in accordance with their mandates.
7. Propose strategies for managing identified risks in credit.

Analysis :

1. Creation of appropriate credit risk models used for performance monitoring oversight.
2. Proactively manage credit risk metrics that are identified via risk dashboards and reporting.
3. Implement a credit limit monitoring system with Risk.

Qualifications & experience :

1. A recognised Mcom / MSc Hons degree in finance, investment management and / or mathematics – other qualifications can be considered.
2. CA(SA), CFA considered favourable.
3. Minimum 10 years relevant experience in an asset management environment and exposure to credit portfolio risk.
4. Exposure to credit risk modelling.
5. Knowledge of factors affecting national and global companies and their impact on investors.
6. Thorough understanding of the investment process and the risks therein.

Personal attributes :

1. Strong people skills needed in order to build trust and confidence within the company's business.
2. Prior experience in managing a team of credit analysts and in maintaining a high performing and motivated team.
3. Good communication and presentation skills.
4. Must conform to the values of the client and the principles by which the company operates.
5. Excellent attention to detail and accuracy within expected timelines.
6. Advanced excel skills.
7. Analysis And Attention to Detail.
8. Monitoring and Measuring.
9. Building Strategic Relationships.
10. Business Insight and Risk Awareness.
11. Judgment and Decision making.
12. Commercial and Financial Acumen.
13. Influencing and Impact.
14. Consulting and Advising.
15. Environmental Scanning (In-depth market knowledge).