Job Description
Senior Director - Sovereign & Public Sector

Summary

We have an opportunity for a Senior Director in Scope’s Sovereign and Public Sector Ratings team to join an international team of economists to become responsible for the credit analysis of a portfolio of sovereigns, supranationals, sub-sovereigns and government-related entities. The role’s focus is to independently manage a widely diversified portfolio of issuers, propose rating actions, contribute to the team’s analysis and research, manage methodology developments, and lead discussions with policymakers, investors and the media. We offer a challenging and rewarding position with significant responsibilities, reporting directly to the Managing Director. Location is flexible across our offices and work can also be hybrid. A friendly, openminded and culturally diverse team with a flat hierarchy in an international company with a proven track record of 15 years awaits you. Start date for the position is as soon as possible.

Duties & responsibilities

  • Conduct ratings and research on a portfolio of sovereigns, sub-sovereigns, supranationals, national promotional banks, and other public-sector entities in Europe and globally
  • Identify, initiate and undertake rigorous quantitative and qualitative economic, financial and political risk analysis
  • Lead rating committee discussions, make recommendations for rating actions
  • Produce high-quality rating reports and sector research, demonstrating Scope’s fundamental understanding of macroeconomic and sovereign trends
  • Conduct investor, issuer and media outreach, presenting and explaining Scope’s analytical approach and issuer specific views
  • Contribute to the development, validation and continuous improvements of Scope's methodologies
  • Develop and maintain contacts with other divisions, groups or departments 
  • Develop and train junior analysts, further developing the Sovereign & Public Sector team
  • Support the team's administrative functions, including compliance and regulation

Professional & personal qualifications

  • At least 10+ years of relevant experience in sovereign/sub/sovereign/supranational risk analysis and/or applied economics gained from a ministry of finance, central bank, supranational, rating agency or macroeconomic research house
  • Master's degree in economics, finance, banking, public administration, statistics, mathematics, or equivalent qualification; CFA welcome
  • Strong understanding of macroeconomics and a keen interest and awareness of international and political affairs
  • Relevant experience with international capital markets for sovereign, supranational, and/or sub-sovereign debt would be an advantage
  • Must be an independent thought leader, able to accept and incorporate feedback from peers
  • Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and meet clearly defined deadlines
  • Strong quantitative skills (economics, econometrics, accounting, finance), proficient in Excel and PowerPoint
  • Excellent writing skills are a must, particularly for producing high-quality research (economic publication track record is an advantage), extensive public speaking experience is a plus
  • Intellectually curious, analytically rigorous and a keen interest to take ownership and responsibility of projects under tight deadlines that involve both independent and teamwork
  • Confident and professional appearance and high social and communication skills
  • Accountable and reliable person of highest integrity
  • Fluent in English and at least one other European language (German, French or Italian preferred)

Interested?
If this sounds like a journey for you, we look forward to learning more from your convincing application. Please note: For non-EU applicants, a valid work and residence permit is a prerequisite for this job position.

What we want to see

  • Current CV
  • Copy of your university degrees and certificates
  • Criminal record certificate (can be provided at a later date)
  • At least 3 letters of reference (can be provided at a later date)

About Scope Ratings 
Scope Ratings GmbH is part of the Scope Group with headquarters in Berlin and offices in Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan, Oslo and Paris. As the leading European credit rating agency, the company specialises in the analysis and ratings of financial institutions, corporates, structured finance, project finance and public finance. Scope Ratings’ credit risk analysis is opinion-driven, forward-looking and non-mechanistic, an approach that adds to a greater diversity of opinion for institutional investors. Scope Ratings is a credit rating agency registered in accordance with the EU rating regulation and operating in the European Union with ECAI status.

At Scope Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect and fairness. We embrace people from all backgrounds, regardless of culture, ethnicity and gender. We ensure that our application processes are free from discrimination. By valuing each individual's unique background and perspectives, we strive to create an environment where all employees can thrive and contribute their best. Our dedication to equality and inclusivity reflects our belief that diversity drives innovation and success.