Associate Director- Corporate Ratings EMEA, Cyclical Commodities, Chemicals and Packaging.

About the Role:

Grade Level (for internal use): 12

The Team:

Our Commodities rating team, part of EMEA Corporate Ratings, consists of approximately 20 analysts located across key European cities, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, Madrid, and Stockholm. As a vital part of this dynamic group, you will manage a portfolio of about 15 issuers predominantly in the Metals & Mining sector, but potentially including other sectors covered by the team such as Chemicals, Packaging and Forest Products, and Oil & Gas. You’ll collaborate with experienced industry specialists who rate cyclical commodities companies within a culture that emphasizes teamwork, knowledge sharing, and cross‑team collaboration.

What you stand to Gain:

• Exposure to a variety of industry sectors and emerging trends.
• Opportunities to engage with senior management teams and key decision‑makers within the entities we rate, fostering professional development.
• Part of an international, collegial culture that encourages innovation and strategic thinking.
• Career growth through technical and leadership skill development via complex financings and mentoring.
• Regular interaction with issuers, both European and North American.
• Contribution to commentaries and research that shape market understanding of cyclical commodities.
• Global collaboration with industry specialists across regions on cross‑border transactions and sector trends.

The Impact:

At S&P Global Ratings, your analytical opinion truly matters. Your work directly influences rating decisions and enhances market transparency, enabling investors and other stakeholders to make well‑informed decisions.

Responsibilities:

• Act as the Primary Analyst for a portfolio of about 15 credits, managing issuer relationships and ongoing surveillance.
• Conduct surveillance and make rating recommendations, preparing clear, well‑supported analytical conclusions.
• Present analytical findings to internal stakeholders, credit committees, issuers and external investors.
• Support new issuer coverage and new issues, including project financings and rating evaluation services.
• Develop and maintain financial models and credit metrics, ensuring accuracy under tight deadlines.
• Contribute commentaries and thought leadership and mentor junior team members.
• Participate and vote in credit committees, providing original insight and rigorous analysis.
• Operate within established ratings criteria, policies and procedures, continually improving customer service standards.
• All employees are required to work from the office a minimum of 2 days per week.
• Candidates who reach the final stage of our interview process must attend at least one in‑person interview at the nearest S&P Global Ratings office before an offer can be extended.

What We’re Looking For:

Basic Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, finance, engineering, mathematics or a related field.
• 5+ years of extensive experience in credit analysis within a large commercial bank, investment bank, asset manager, rating agency or audit firm.
• Strong analytical skills with detailed understanding of financial statement analysis and accounting concepts; proficiency with financial models and credit metric calculations.
• Strong technology orientation, including Excel.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; customer‑oriented with strong presentation ability; intellectually curious, self‑starter with a strong work ethic; experience engaging with senior management of debt issuers.
• Understanding of and experience with legal transactions and debt documentation.
• Ability to maintain high levels of accuracy and attention to detail while meeting strict deadlines.
• Effective teamwork and a strategic approach to problem‑solving.
• Working knowledge of one or more sectors in the cyclical commodities remit such as metals & mining, oil & gas, chemicals, packaging and forest products.
• Willingness to travel within Europe for meetings, sometimes at short notice.

Additional Experience:

• Prior exposure to corporate credit analysis in asset‑heavy sectors, complex financial transactions such as project finance or structured credit, or an investor‑facing role – a plus.
• Fluency in European languages in addition to English would be an advantage.