Senior Director - Governments & Public Finance, GCC

Senior Director – Governments & Public Finance, GCC

Location :
Dubai, UAE

Work Arrangement :
Hybrid; 3 days per week in office in accordance with Fitch Ratings’ Onsite Flex policy and local office guidelines.

Travel :
Approximately 25–30% travel across GCC markets, primarily to Saudi Arabia and within the UAE, with occasional trips to London and select broader Middle East and African countries.

Fitch Ratings, part of Fitch Group, provides objective, timely, independent and forward‑looking credit opinions, research, and commentary to global capital markets. Fitch Group has dual headquarters in London and New York and operates in more than 30 countries. Fitch Group is owned by Hearst.

The Governments & Public Finance group delivers independent and forward‑looking credit opinions and research on sovereign governments and public‑sector entities. The Sovereigns team includes roughly 50 analysts worldwide, with primary hubs in London, Frankfurt, and Hong Kong. The International Public Finance team—covering sub‑sovereign governments and government‑related entities—includes roughly 80 analysts across a global office network.

This Senior Director will play a critical regional role while operating within Fitch’s collaborative global structure to ensure methodological consistency, governance rigor, and cross‑sector alignment. This position will report to the Head of Middle East & Africa Sovereigns, with a dotted line report to the EMEA Head of International Public Finance (both based in London). In addition to GCC coverage, this Senior Director will have selective responsibilities in the broader Middle East and Africa, depending on portfolio needs.

• A senior analytical role to influence credit views on a growing region.
• High visibility with global stakeholders through rating analysis, research, and outreach.
• The opportunity to work as part of an integrated global team with regular touchpoints across London leadership and peer analysts worldwide.
• Access to global criteria development and thought leadership initiatives.
• Cross‑sector collaboration opportunities.
• An open, collaborative culture where diverse perspectives are valued and integrity is paramount.

• Serve as lead or secondary analyst for designated GCC sovereigns and related GREs. The role will involve conducting in‑depth analytical meetings with management of rated entities and other relevant constituents, updating databases and preparing forecasts, writing credit rating reports, presenting credits to a rating committee, and preparing research reports and press releases for publication, all in a manner consistent with Fitch’s published criteria and standards of analytical excellence.
• Coordinate closely with colleagues from across the group to ensure consistency of approach.
• Chair and contribute to rating committees, driving evidence‑based consensus and ensuring independence and objectivity.
• Author clear, concise research and commentary communicating Fitch’s views to global market participants.
• Provide thought leadership on GCC macro‑credit themes (e.g., macroeconomic trends, fiscal frameworks, diversification, SWFs, external finances, monetary regimes, structural reforms), including initiating and contributing to broad macroeconomic research projects coordinated by the global group.
• Lead analytical outreach and market engagement (non‑commercial), acting as a visible spokesperson for Fitch for Governments & Public Finance in the GCC (approximately one‑third of time). Represent the agency’s views to external constituents, including investors, issuers, bankers, and the media.
• Help shape cross‑sector perspectives (sovereign, GREs, banks, corporates) through coordinated research and analysis.
• Support coverage of the broader Governments & Public Finance Middle East and Africa portfolio, serving as lead or secondary analyst as requested.
• Adhere strictly to Fitch’s regulatory obligations, keeping clear separation from commercial activities and maintaining rigorous record‑keeping.

• 10+ years’ experience in sovereign credit analysis or closely related macro / credit roles, or equivalent…