Assistant Vice President, European Structured Credit & Fund Finance; Securitisation Lawyer - St

About the Role

Morningstar DBRS European Structured Finance team is seeking a highly motivated team-oriented lawyer to join as an Assistant Vice President in London. In this role the successful candidate will focus on legal analysis collaborating closely with rating analysts to assign ratings to European structured credit transactions and fund finance transactions including SME CLOs, Private Credit CLOs, Credit Fund ABL loans, Feeder Fund debt and Subscription Loans.

The ideal candidate will hold a law degree and have experience with structured finance and/or fund finance transactions across multiple European jurisdictions (including the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany and France) gained either at a law firm or as in-house counsel. They will combine strong legal and reputational risk awareness with financial literacy and commercial acumen and be able to communicate complex legal and rating criteria clearly to both internal and external stakeholders.

Candidates should thrive in a collaborative team-focused environment demonstrating a strong work ethic, analytical mindset and attention to detail. The successful candidate will also possess excellent interpersonal and presentation skills enabling effective engagement with colleagues at all professional levels as well as external contacts including external counsel.

• Review the loan/transaction documents to be executed in the context of structured finance and fund finance debt issuances rated by DBRS for consistency with the DBRS methodologies.
• Support and advise analysts and the rating committee with regard to legal aspects of structured finance and fund finance transactions that may affect credit ratings.
• Communicate DBRS’s position on legal matters to issuers and relevant third parties.
• Engage and manage the document review process of external counsel if appointed.
• Provide day-to-day legal analysis support and assistance to rating analysts and other members of the structured finance legal team by interpreting and analysing documentation.
• Summarise legal terms of complex structured finance and fund finance documentation (including term-sheets, prospectuses, cash‑management agreements) for further consideration and analysis by rating analysts and other members of the structured finance legal team; compile, organise and present summarised legal terms in a well‑written and concise fashion in rating committees.
• Provide support to analysts and other members of the structured finance legal team in the preparation and review of rating reports and other related documentation.
• Perform research and analysis on various legal issues (including those addressed by newly enacted legislation) in connection with structured finance and fund finance debt issuances rated by DBRS.
• Monitor legislative and case law developments and advise on changes as appropriate.
• Support drafting legal criteria and commentaries and contribute to the development of rating methodologies from time to time as required.
• Represent DBRS in meetings with market participants and at industry events.

• University degree in law with strong academic credentials.
• 5 years of experience in European structured finance and/or fund finance at a recognised law firm or in‑house counsel.
• Fluency in English with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive, adaptable and effective both independently and in collaboration with others.
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks balancing long‑term projects and urgent daily work with careful attention to detail and effective time management.
• Permission to live and work in the United Kingdom; this position may require occasional European travel.

• Knowledge of rating agency methodologies.
• Experience and understanding of multiple jurisdictions' legal frameworks.
• Fluency in another European language.
• Knowledge of analytical programming languages (VBA, Python, etc.).

Morningstar DBRS is a leading provider of independent rating services and opinions for corporate and sovereign entities, financial institutions and project and structured finance instruments globally. Rating more than 4,000 issuers and 60,000 securities, it is one of the top four credit rating agencies in the world.

Morningstar DBRS empowers investor success by bringing more transparency and a much-needed diversity of opinion in the credit rating industry. Our approach and size allow us to be nimble enough to respond to customers’ needs in their local markets but large enough to provide the necessary expertise and resources they require. Market innovators choose to work with us because of our agility, tech‑forward approach and exceptional customer service.