Senior Credit Research Analyst

Credit Research Analyst #24-00529
 
Job Title: Credit Research Analyst
Location: Houston, TX 77079
End-Client: Large Energy Company 
Pay: $68 - $79.21/hr.
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits (401K, Health, Dental, and Vision) through Icon Consultants are available
Job Type: 6 – month contract role
                                 
The Credit Research Analyst for trading & shipping (t&s) is accountable for fundamental credit views and analysis in support of t&s’ commercial and credit portfolio management strategies, including the development of counterparty-specific credit ratings and reviews.  He or she will partner closely with other local and global credit staff in support of business and growth strategies, and with other Credit Research staff across regions to align underwriting approach and inform industry or portfolio level risk management outlooks and reviews.  
Given the breadth of knowledge and experience provided by this role, candidates are expected to demonstrate a capability and passion for continued professional development, allowing them to support increasingly complex transactions and own increasingly sophisticated interactions and to form part of the future talent and leadership pipeline for the broader credit team and trading organization.
 
Key Accountabilities:
Specific accountabilities will include but not be limited to the following:

• Analyse counterparties and assign credit ratings across coverage portfolio, taking into consideration evaluation of financial statements, industry knowledge and expertise and relevant qualitative factors – including the proficient analysis of counterparties in complex industries, with complex organizational or ownership dynamics or experiencing financial stress/distress.
• Prioritize and organize counterparty credit models and reviews in a manner which fosters a real-time understanding of critical industries and counterparties and provides the capacity to support time-sensitive information requests, front-end structuring and credit risk appetite decisions and crisis response in the event of a distressed exposure – including the proactive identification and escalation of emerging trends within the portfolio which warrant potential interventions or forward underwriting adjustments.
• Follow-up on emerging news and events which may impact coverage universe in a self-directed manner, including timely, proactive communication of observations and views.
• Understand impact of t&s’ place within a counterparty’s overall capital structure and reflect insights in analysis and in discussions with local credit staff. Assisting as required in developing a relative value view of fair return for resulting risk profile.
• Demonstrate a balanced but opportunistic mindset, with control accountabilities always coming first but with an ongoing eye for circumstances which may present commercial origination openings for t&s as well.
• Maintain counterparty ratings and reference data accurately and timely.
• Maintain strong, constructive working relationships and open lines of communication with local and global credit staff within bp and with key contacts within counterparty universe. 

 
Essential Education:
Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Finance or Accounting.
Essential Experience & Job Requirements:

• Prior experience in Credit Research, including multiple industry sectors and geographies and both investment grade and high-yield credits.    
• A passion for the role and a relentless commitment to excellence, including exceptional attention to detail and rigorous and timely follow-through on all role accountabilities.
• Fluency with respect to financial modeling and credit rating best practice, including key drivers of financial strength and key financial vulnerabilities across multiple sectors, including sovereigns.  
• A comfort level in working autonomously, sometimes under high-pressured and fast-paced circumstances, and often in the face of ambiguity/limited information – and the personal courage to express a view on best information available to inform decisions.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills and a comfort level in working effectively with people at various organizational levels within BP.

 
Desirable Experience & Qualifications:

• Seven or more years of experience in Credit Research, including work-out / distressed asset experience. 
• Relative value credit experience within a buy-side investment firm or similar.
• Project finance experience.
• Credit research coverage/experience across globe.
• Proficiency in MS apps (Power BI, Sway, Stream, Power/Flow, Fluid, Whiteboard, Teams, Visio), Matlab, VBA, Python, data science tools.
• Multilingual
• Postgraduate, professional designations (MBA, CFA, CPA, FRM, PEng)