Associate Director - Insurance Ratings

Grade Level (for internal use): 12

The Team:

The team comprises 14 analysts based in the U.K., Middle East, South Africa and Germany. We are responsible for a portfolio of about 100 primary insurers and reinsurers based across the UK, Norway, Central Asia, the Middle East and the African continent.

The Impact:

You will be a key part of a team delivering ratings for primarily UK and Norway based insurers, your portfolio will include some of the largest companies in the team’s portfolio. The role will allow you to engage with the C Suite of the insurers and reinsurers based in the UK and Norway. The role will also provide opportunities for research work on life, non-life and reinsurance markets and to interact with key external stakeholders such as investors, brokers and journalists.

What you stand to Gain:

• Exposure to the senior management (including CEOs and CFOs) of large insurance groups.
• Responsibility for presenting your analysis to internal rating committees.
• Opportunities to develop more junior analysts in the team.
• Opportunities to work alongside a group of analysts across the globe on research projects, rating methodology work and outreach to external stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• As an Associate Director in the London based pod, you will be the primary analyst with responsibility for a broad portfolio of credits including life insurers, non-life insurers and reinsurers.
• As a primary analyst you will provide timely credit analysis on some of the largest insurers in the team and present your analysis at ratings committees.
• You will provide support to both senior and junior analysts on their portfolios.
• As a more senior member of the team you will help mentor/coach staff and analysts to further build their knowledge of credit analysis.
• You will attend and actively contribute to rating reviews and management meetings as required.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders, listen attentively to their views and articulate S&P’s opinions.
• Identify areas for research opportunities across the insurance world and work with other analysts to provide articles that provide S&P’s opinions.
• Help reinforce issuer and investor relationship management standard work, including minimum service standards.

What We’re Looking For:

• Degree level qualifications in a relevant business-related field, i.e. actuarial science, a relevant master’s degree, CFA, Professional Accountancy or a similar qualification would be desirable.
• A S&P employee at this level typically has minimum 7 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrable expertise in insurance industry and company analysis, a keen eye for detail and a curious mindset.
• Ability to understand accounting concepts and financial statements.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English are essential.
• Strong organizational skills, execution mind-set, and ability to delegate effectively.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to represent S&P as an analytical spokesperson.
• The ability to demonstrate analytical excellence and good presentation skills in front of internal and external audiences, to explain our credit rating opinions both internally as well as externally to issuers, investors, and the media.
• Sound judgment and organizational skills are also required to present detailed information, reasoned opinions, and a rating recommendation to our credit rating committees.
• The successful candidate must be at ease with working and interacting with senior officials and junior members of the issuer’s team, Investors, intermediaries in the insurance sector and always represent S&P Global Ratings in a professional manner.
• The position may require travel across Europe to meet clients or investors and other stakeholders, sometimes at short notice.