Job Description

The Role:

As an Associate, you will conduct credit analysis and evaluate the credit quality of governmental entities – specifically cities, counties and school districts - as it relates to their ability to repay debt obligations.  You will be responsible for aggregating data and information to present to rating committees. You will interact with clients, make presentations, and prepare reports for internal and external distribution. Specifically, in this role, the analyst will:
 

 • Review financial and operating statements, economic data, and strategic plans for cities, counties, tax assessment and other local government credits

• The individual will be involved in reviewing the structure and legal documents to determine the security of the transactions being rated in accordance with S&P Global Ratings’ criteria

• Prepare presentations on these credits to a rating committee and communicate the results of these deliberations to clients, their representatives, financial intermediaries, investors, and the media including preparing detailed ratings analysis for publication

• The individual will be expected to handle new issue transactions as well as maintain timely surveillance of local government ratings consistent with existing criteria. In addition, he/she will be expected to write criteria pieces, and to publish commentary articles
 

The Impact:

The person in this position will have the opportunity to increase our ability to efficiently and effectively serve our clients. Your analysis and work is essential to the covering of a diverse portfolio of credits, as well as in serving as a backup to other analysts. This role will review financial and operating statements, economic data, and strategic plans for school districts, cities, counties, tax assessment and other local government credits. It will be involved in reviewing the structure and legal documents to determine the security of the transactions being rated in accordance with the ratings criteria. The individual will be expected to handle new issue transactions as well as maintain timely surveillance of local government ratings consistent with criteria.
 

The Career Opportunity:

This role has significant growth opportunities. Advancement will be available to those who show a strong aptitude and embrace the municipal sector. While overall career development will depend on individual performance and company need, this is an opportunity for your skills and hard work to move you forward. This role will prepare presentations on these credits to a rating committee and communicate the results of these deliberations to clients, their representatives, financial intermediaries, investors, and the media including preparing detailed ratings analysis for publication.
 

The Team / The Business:

The local government team has a strong collegial environment and friendly atmosphere; as a new analyst, you would be regularly assigned to work with senior analysts to improve your knowledge and understanding, and we would expect you to frequently ask questions of senior analysts, who are happy to oblige. A lot of the work is completed independently, but every rating involves a team of analysts, so teamwork is very important. The pace is fairly rapid, so if the thought of working on one report by yourself for months sounds boring to you, you’d like this environment.
 

Your Skills:

The candidate should possess critical thinking skills, along with proficiency with major off-the-shelf software. The candidate should have the aptitude to be a team player, but also be able to work independently. In addition, the candidate must have: strong verbal communication and writing skills; analytical and problem-solving skills; excellent time management and ability to stay organized, meet deadlines, and multitask; the ability to think independently and critically; and the ability to mentor others. This role will work with financial models and financial data.
 

Requirements:

• Master in business, public policy or public administration, municipal experience a plus

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in government finance/financial services

• 15% domestic travel