Assistant Vice President, Fund Finance Ratings - Surveillance

About the Role

Morningstar DBRS is seeking an Assistant Vice President (AVP) to join the Funds Finance credit ratings team, which is part of the U.S. Structured Credit team, focusing on surveillance of existing credit ratings. This credit analyst will support the growing portfolio of investment fund debt credit ratings as a lead analyst.

A successful candidate will have relevant experience in fund finance and/or rating agency work. The role requires sector knowledge, strong analytical and quantitative skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

U.S. Structured Credit is a credit rating analytics team that assigns credit ratings, monitors credit ratings, develops research and maintains credit rating methodologies for investment fund debt (including feeder fund debt, subscription lines and collateralized fund obligations (CFOs)), collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), other corporate securitizations and bespoke credit rating opportunities.

• Lead analyst responsible for monitoring transaction performance and surveilling existing credit ratings, including but not limited to, feeder fund debt, secured facilities, unsecured debt, subscription loan facilities, and collateralized fund obligations.

• Prepare and present detailed discussion and committee materials to credit ratings committees.

• Conduct portfolio analysis using Morningstar DBRS developed predictive models and credit rating methodologies.

• Draft credit rating letters, press releases, and other relevant disclosures.

• Participate in onsite manager due diligence meetings and calls with market participants and issuers.

• Assess legal, regulatory, counter party and other risks related to Funds and US SC credit ratings.

• Train and mentor junior analysts.

• Collaborate with other Morningstar DBRS credit teams to support credit rating surveillance, analysis, administration and research.

• Adhere to compliance, regulatory and company policies and procedures.

• Undergraduate degree in finance, accounting, business, economics or a related discipline required.

• 5-7 years of relevant experience, which may include:

  • Credit ratings experience covering funds, BDCs, CLOs or related asset classes;

  • Investment banking or legal experience focused on funds or fund finance;

  • Credit risk management experience covering credit funds or other private credit strategies; or

  • Other relevant experience as a market participant within fund finance, private credit or structured credit.

• Strong interest in credit funds, BDCs, CLOs, private credit and/or private equity.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel skills such as building complex formulas or models, pivot tables and charts.

• Strong research and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, concise and well-supported committee materials and reports.

• Ability and willingness to proactively learn new analytical approaches and methodologies.

• Self-starter with the ability to prioritize competing demands, work independently and complete high-quality work with a sense of urgency.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and contribute to timely and accurate work product.

• Rating agency experience, including familiarity with credit rating methodologies, committee processes and the broader ratings framework.

• Knowledge of analytical programming languages or tools, such as VBA or Python.

Morningstar DBRS is a leading provider of independent rating services and opinions for corporate and…