Credit Research Analyst

Pension Insurance Corporation (“PIC”) provides secure retirement incomes through comprehensive risk management and excellence in asset and liability management, as well as exceptional customer service. Our purpose is to pay the pensions of our current and future policyholders.

PIC is recruiting for a Credit Research Analyst to join its Investments Office. In this role, you will effectively collaborate with our Risk, Legal, Investments and Finance departments to secure their buy-in and implement improvements to systems, processes, and technology, as appropriate. You will apply knowledge and insights concerning the Credit Research and how this impacts our policyholders. You will also deliver strong business outcomes relating to capital, profitability, the Company brand and market reputation whilst achieving positive outcomes to our policyholders and shareholders on a consistent basis.

Specific accountabilities assigned to the role of Credit Research Analyst within the Investments function:

• Conducts thorough analysis of the assigned portfolio and effectively communicates those outcomes to Rating Committee and Portfolio Management colleagues to make sure PIC is accessing the full range of attractive investments.
• Takes ownership of ensuring PIC has up to date credit opinions and internal ratings on all borrowers and key potential borrowers in your sectors.
• Prepare credit rating and research opinions that efficiently communicate your views on the credit that can be used by different key stakeholders. This would include succinct summaries for committees with more detailed analysis afterwards aimed towards other first-line colleagues.
• Effectively collaborates with portfolio management, trading, and asset/liability colleagues to make and execute investment decisions; given PIC has one portfolio, seamless integration is key.
• Engages in research to understand the ESG aspects of the investments in your portfolio are considered and ESG scores are up to date on each transaction.
• Takes ownership for their own learning and development in both technical (e.g. data analysis and critical judgement) and non-technical (self-insight and relationship management) skills of Public Credit.
• Applies initiative to private debt investments which can be demonstrated by providing timely credit research opinions or internal ratings are needed.
• Keeps informed of industry trends, market developments, regulatory changes in the public and private sectors, as well as best practices related to Credit Research by attending industry seminars, reading, and sharing relevant published articles.

Requirements

Experience:

• Recognised qualification and/or accreditation to a professional body in the relevant field/industry/sector. CFA qualification would be desirable.
• Proven track record of providing credit research opinions to fund managers in your sectors or assigning credit ratings as relevant to your role.
• Capability and experience of working with different sectors would be an advantage.
• Experience delivering analysis that is succinct, accurate, well presented, and timely.
• Experience working in an investing environment would be advantageous.

Knowledge:

• Good Knowledge of credit rating methodologies across different subsectors in the area allocated to you.
• Established Knowledge of the sectors allocated to you.
• Good knowledge of financial reporting and key rating metrics

Skills:

• Good analytical skills and established analytical mindset
• Good interpersonal skills and sound organisational skills.
• Ability to collaborate across teams.
• Ability to conceptualise and lead others in solving specific problems.
• Ability to organize work to meet deadlines.
• Good working knowledge of MS Access, MS PowerPoint, MS Word Strong Bloomberg skills

Desirable personal attributes aligned to what success looks like in the role:

• Intellectually curious with a willingness to learn through own research.
• Strong problem-solving skills utilising consultative questioning to challenge current norms and drive change within the business function.
• Effective communicator – structures insights into clear messages and effectively engages others within business function, as well as internal stakeholders, professional and regulatory bodies.
• Innovative thinker – positive attitude to change and a willingness to embrace new ideas and techniques to improve performance.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive base salary and the opportunity to participate in our annual, performance-related bonus plan, upon joining us here at Pension Insurance Corporation, you will get access to some great benefits, including private medical insurance, 28 days' annual leave (excluding bank holidays), a generous pension scheme and much more.