Project Finance & Infrastructure - Director / Senior Director (NY)

About The Job

Lead the analysis of complex and high-profile new rating assignments and oversee ongoing surveillance across project finance and infrastructure sectors, including renewable energy, conventional power, transportation, digital infrastructure, social infrastructure, and public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Responsibilities

• Provide senior analytical oversight of project cash flows, financial models, transaction structures, legal and contractual frameworks, engineering and technical considerations, and other material credit factors.
• Direct the review and challenge of sponsor financial models and the development of independent analytical cases, sensitivities, and downside stress scenarios.
• Lead the assessment of construction, operational, counterparty, regulatory, market, refinancing, and other material project risks and determine their impact on credit quality.
• Develop final analytical recommendations and chair or serve as lead presenter for rating committees on complex project finance and infrastructure transactions.
• Review and provide senior analytical oversight of rating reports, press releases, surveillance reports, and other rating-related publications.
• Oversee surveillance strategy for an assigned portfolio, ensuring timely identification and assessment of material credit developments and appropriate rating actions.
• Lead senior-level analytical interactions with issuers, project sponsors, developers, lenders, institutional investors, financial advisors, and other market participants.
• Lead analytical coverage of one or more project finance and infrastructure sectors and identify emerging risks, structural developments, and market trends.
• Lead or make significant contributions to the development and enhancement of rating methodologies, criteria, analytical frameworks, and processes, while promoting analytical consistency across the team.
• Develop and publish sector research, market commentary, and thought leadership.
• Represent KBRA at conferences, webinars, investor meetings, and other industry events.
• Mentor and develop Analysts, Senior Analysts, Associates, and Associate Directors and support recruiting, training, and talent development.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and the continued development of KBRA's Project Finance & Infrastructure platform.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• Lead complex and high-profile new rating assignments across project finance and infrastructure sectors, including renewable energy, conventional power, transportation, digital infrastructure, social infrastructure, and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
• Provide senior analytical oversight of project cash flows, financial models, transaction structures, legal and contractual frameworks, technical considerations, and key construction, operational, counterparty, regulatory, market, and refinancing risks.
• Direct the review and challenge of sponsor financial models and the development of independent analytical cases, sensitivities, and downside stress scenarios.
• Develop final analytical recommendations, lead rating committee discussions, and oversee the preparation of rating reports, press releases, and other rating-related publications.
• Oversee surveillance for an assigned portfolio and lead analytical coverage of one or more infrastructure sectors, including identification of emerging credit risks, structural developments, and market trends.
• Lead senior-level analytical interactions with issuers, project sponsors, developers, lenders, institutional investors, financial advisors, and other market participants.
• Lead or contribute to the development and enhancement of rating methodologies, analytical frameworks, and processes while promoting analytical consistency across the team.
• Develop sector research, market commentary, and thought leadership, and represent KBRA at conferences, webinars, investor meetings, and other industry events.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level analytical staff and support recruiting, training, and broader talent development initiatives.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and collaborate with Business Development and other internal teams to support the continued growth of KBRA's Project Finance & Infrastructure franchise while maintaining appropriate separation between analytical and commercial activities.
• Familiarity with Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT for research, data insights, and general productivity is a plus.

Pay

Anticipated annual base salary range: $140,000 to $250,000. Offer amounts are determined by factors such as experience, skills, geography, and other job-related factors.

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday in the office)
• Competitive benefits and paid time off
• Paid family and disability leave
• 401(k) plan, including employer match (100% vested)
• Educational and professional development financial assistance
• Employee referral bonus program