Lead Credit Analyst

Lead and drive high-quality credit research, credit risk rating, and relative value assessment to support investment decision-making across fixed income portfolios.

The role is accountable for delivering independent, forward-looking credit opinions and recommendations, balancing risk and return considerations across corporate bonds, sukuk, structured credit, stocks and funds, while developing a high-performing credit team.

Key Responsibilities

1.  Leadership & Strategic Direction:

• Define and drive credit research agenda and sector priorities aligned with portfolio strategy.
• Provide independent credit views and challenge investment assumptions to ensure balanced decision-making.
• Lead identification of systemic, sectoral, and idiosyncratic risks impacting portfolio performance.
• Drive continuous enhancement of credit methodologies, internal rating frameworks, and analytical standards

2.   Credit Analysis & Portfolio Oversight:

• Lead end-to-end credit evaluation, including internal credit rating assignment and risk scoring.
• Perform relative value analysis across issuers and instruments to support investment selection.
• Formulate clear investment recommendations with articulated risk-return trade-offs.
• Evaluate primary issuances and secondary market opportunities across bonds and sukuk.
• Oversee ongoing credit surveillance, including early warning signals, covenant monitoring, and downside risk scenarios.
• Escalate material credit concerns and recommend risk mitigation strategies.

3.   Research & Market Intelligence:

• Integrate macroeconomic, interest rate, and credit spread analysis into credit views.
• Incorporate ESG and sustainability risk factors into credit assessments where relevant.
• Produce forward-looking credit outlooks with scenario analysis and stress testing assumptions.

4.   Stakeholder & Investment Engagement:

• Act as a key contributor to Credit Group discussions, presenting and defending recommendations.
• Provide timely credit opinions to support trade ideas and portfolio actions.
• Engage with external stakeholders including issuers, sell side analysts and arrangers, and rating agencies. This includes increase in frequency of company and site visits.

5.  Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of credit analysts, ensuring high-quality output and consistency.
• Provide hands-on guidance, coaching, and training to enhance technical and analytical capabilities.
• Actively review team members work and provide constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture and encourage knowledge sharing within the team.
• Support talent development, succession planning, and capability building initiatives.  
• Spearhead and encourage active usage of Agentic AI in every aspect of the team's work.

6.  Governance, Risk & Compliance:

• Ensure robustness of internal credit rating processes, model governance, and documentation standards.
• Support alignment with regulatory and risk frameworks.
• Maintain independence and integrity of credit opinions, free from undue commercial influence.

7.   Ad-hoc Duties & Special Projects

• Undertake special assignments, ad-hoc functions, and related duties as assigned by the Department Head or Company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related field (Master's degree or CFA designation will be added advantage).
• Minimum 5 years of working experience in credit research or a related role, with a strong understanding of credit analysis, financial modeling, and risk assessment.
• Proven ability to conduct detailed credit research across various sectors.
• Advanced proficiency in financial modeling and Excel, with experience using Bloomberg, FactSet, and other financial tools.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present research findings to a diverse audience.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time-management skills.