The Role:
The lead analyst will be responsible for managing a portfolio of South and South East Asia (SSEA)-based issuers rated by Moody’s. The role involves conducting high quality quantitative and qualitative analysis to assess the credit quality of a range of entities and debt instruments, including rated projects and corporates in the infrastructure and power/utilities sectors within SSEA. The individual will demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the operating environment and sectors, and conduct ongoing monitoring to support rating accuracy. The individual will manage both internal and external relationships, including at senior levels, and write comprehensive, insightful, and thought-provoking research on individual companies, projects, and broader sectoral themes, including ESG-related aspects. The role requires frequent interaction with investors, intermediaries, and issuers, and managing assigned relationships, hence an ability to confidently interact with external parties is a prerequisite. The analyst’s activities will also include outreach initiatives on a broader regional basis.
Responsibilities:
Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
•The lead analyst will be responsible for ongoing monitoring of rated entities to ensure rating accuracy, managing a portfolio of utilities, infrastructure, and project finance companies in SSEA.
•This role demands strong analytical skills, along with a comprehensive understanding of financial statements and business operations, to conduct both quantitative and qualitative analysis assessing the credit quality of different entities and debt instruments.
•The analyst will conduct credit analysis, encompassing the analysis of data, the development of financial forecasts, the review of transaction documents, and the assessment of credit quality, all in line with Moody’s rating methodologies.
•The successful candidate will have a solid understanding of the utility, project finance, and infrastructure sectors in SSEA. This may require an in-depth understanding of the operating environment, cultural knowledge,.
•In addition to leading effective presentation of credit in rating committees and other analytical meetings, the individual will also provide a knowledgeable perspective to other analysts throughout the credit process.
Research
• The lead analyst is expected to generate insightful and thought-provoking research reports on individual companies and industry sectors.
• This role requires strong writing skills, the ability to articulate complex concepts in a clear and comprehensible manner, and an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter.
• The role also involves creating compelling company-specific and sector-related research, which includes credit reports, sector comments, and industry outlooks. Balancing these research and outreach responsibilities with daily transaction and surveillance activity is a critical part of the job.
• The responsibilities also include conducting detailed research on broader sectoral themes, especially those related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. The analyst must exhibit excellent research skills, a keen eye for detail, and a thorough understanding of the relevant sectors and ESG issues.
Outreach
• The role entails frequent interaction with investors, intermediaries, issuers, and senior utility and infrastructure executives. Broad existing contacts in this area will be advantageous. The analyst is expected to confidently and effectively communicate with these external parties, manage relationships with both internal and external stakeholders at senior levels, and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• The analyst is expected to confidently engage in, and deliver insightful presentations at, various conferences, industry events, and key stakeholder meetings. This active participation will enhance the visibility and leadership of Moody’s franchise throughout the region.
• Managing issuer relationships at a very senior level is a critical aspect of the role, demanding exceptional interpersonal skills, professionalism, and the ability to handle situations with tact and diplomacy.
Leadership and collaboration
•The analyst is expected to take an active role in strategic projects that bolster team effectiveness and success across the region.
•The individual should be adept at forging constructive working relationships with a diverse team spread across various locations. Furthermore, the analyst should be able to collaborate seamlessly and collegially with other team members and analytical teams within Moody’s.
•A significant part of the role involves providing leadership, as well as coaching and mentoring to less experienced staff.
Qualifications:
- The candidate should hold a graduate degree in finance, banking, economics, corporate finance, or a related discipline, with postgraduate qualifications being highly desirable.
- The individual should have a minimum of 6 years of relevant analytical experience, preferably gained within a financial institution and predominantly in a credit role. Experience in analyzing corporate, project, and infrastructure sectors would be beneficial, as would experience in another financial institution or major research house
- The ideal candidate will exhibit a robust quantitative aptitude, coupled with a proven analytical ability. This includes proficiency in MS Excel and a comprehensive understanding of complex financial structures.
- The candidate should be an articulate communicator, delivering clear and concise messages both in written and verbal forms, with public speaking experience being a commendable attribute. A background in writing research, particularly in equity or credit market contexts, is an advantage.
- The ability to exercise sound judgment, developing independent opinions and defending personal views, yet remaining open to alternative perspectives is essential. A high standard of work, with a keen eye for detail, is expected. Experience with documentation review will be helpful.
- The candidate should be highly organized and efficient, with the ability to juggle multiple task and meet stringent deadlines.
- The candidate should be capable of establishing strong professional relationships, managing complex stakeholder interactions, and effectively representing the Moody’s franchise.
- A balanced and mature personality is crucial, along with the ability to thrive in a highly collaborative and learning-focused environment. The candidate should embody a proactive work ethic, characterized by a “can do” attitude and a history of demonstrating initiative and strong teamwork.
- Fluency in English is a prerequisite, while competency in any other regional languages would be a bonus.
