Senior Vice President, US ABS Ratings – Commercial, Esoteric & New Assets

The Role:

Commercial, esoteric and new asset classes continue to expand the boundaries of asset-backed finance. Morningstar DBRS evaluates transactions across established sectors and emerging collateral types where analytical approaches are still developing and historical performance data may be limited.

As a Senior Vice President on the ABS Ratings team, you will lead the analysis of complex securitization transactions across commercial, esoteric and new asset classes. You'll work closely with issuers, arrangers, investors and internal analytical teams to assess credit risk, develop rating recommendations and contribute to the evolution of Morningstar DBRS's analytical approach in areas where the market continues to develop. You will also serve as a senior analytical resource for commercial, esoteric and new asset sectors, helping shape Morningstar DBRS's approach to evolving areas of the market.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead the credit rating process for new ABS transactions across commercial, esoteric and new asset classes.
• Analyze transaction structures, collateral performance, originators and servicers, legal documentation, and structural protections to develop rating recommendations and analytical conclusions.
• Evaluate emerging collateral types and apply analytical judgment in sectors where historical performance data may be limited or evolving.
• Present transactions and recommendations at rating committees, clearly articulating key risks, mitigants, structural considerations and rating rationale.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for issuers, arrangers, investors and other transaction participants throughout the rating process.
• Manage transaction teams throughout the rating process while mentoring junior analysts and supporting their professional development.
• Monitor outstanding transactions and recommend rating actions based on collateral performance, structural developments and changing market conditions.
• Contribute to the development of rating methodologies, analytical frameworks and criteria for commercial, esoteric and new asset sectors, including collateral types where established rating approaches continue to evolve.
• Author research, market commentary and sector analysis that help market participants understand evolving areas of structured finance.
• Represent Morningstar DBRS at client meetings, investor discussions, industry conferences and other market-facing engagements.

What we're looking for:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MS, CFA or related qualification) preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in structured finance, credit ratings, securitization, structured credit, asset-based lending or a related field.
• Deep expertise in one or more commercial, esoteric or new asset sectors, with a strong understanding of securitization structures and collateral performance drivers.
• Experience leading complex transaction analysis and presenting recommendations to rating committees, investment committees or comparable credit approval bodies.
• Strong understanding of credit risk analysis, cash flow modeling, transaction structuring and legal documentation.
• Experience evaluating non-traditional collateral types, asset-based finance structures, or emerging securitization sectors.
• Familiarity with analytical and modeling tools such as Intex, T-REX, Bloomberg, Excel and related platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex analytical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• The ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously while maintaining analytical rigor and attention to detail.
• Sound credit judgment, intellectual curiosity and a willingness to challenge assumptions when the analysis calls for it.

The Group

Morningstar DBRS is a leading provider of independent credit rating services and opinions for corporate and sovereign entities, financial institutions, and project and structured finance instruments globally. Rating more than 4,500 issuers and 68,000 securities, we are one of the top four credit rating agencies in the world and a market leader in Canada, the U.S., and Europe across multiple asset classes.

For 50 years, Morningstar DBRS has brought greater transparency and a diversity of opinion to the credit rating industry. Our approach combines the agility of a focused ratings organization with the global scale, resources and analytical capabilities of Morningstar, helping investors make more informed decisions and giving market participants an independent perspective they can trust.

Within the ABS Ratings group, the Commercial, Esoteric and New Assets team covers a broad range of transactions backed by both established and developing asset classes. The team focuses on sectors such as digital infrastructure, data centers, equipment finance, transportation assets, specialty lending platforms and other developing areas of the asset-backed finance market.

This is a team that works at the intersection of established structured finance sectors and emerging forms of asset-backed finance. The work combines detailed credit analysis with the opportunity to help shape how new and evolving sectors are evaluated, contributing to rating opinions that bring clarity and transparency to parts of the market where analytical approaches continue to develop.

About Us
Morningstar DBRS is a leading provider of independent rating services and opinions for corporate and sovereign entities, financial institutions, and project and structured finance instruments globally. Rating more than 4,000 issuers and 60,000 securities, it is one of the top four credit rating agencies in the world.
Morningstar DBRS empowers investor success by bringing more transparency and a much-needed diversity of opinion in the credit rating industry. Our approach and size allow us to be nimble enough to respond to customers' needs in their local markets, but large enough to provide the necessary expertise and resources they require. Market innovators choose to work with us because of our agility, tech-forward approach, and exceptional customer service.
Morningstar DBRS is the next generation of credit ratings.

Compensation and Benefits

At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That’s why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

• Financial Health

  • 100% 401k match up to 6% of salary

  • Stock Ownership Potential

  • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission

• Physical Health 

  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages

  • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual

  • Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance

• Emotional Health 

  • Trust-Based Time Off

  • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program

  • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave

  • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave

  • Adoption Assistance

  • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities

  • Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses

  • Tuition Reimbursement

• Social Health 

  • Charitable Matching Gifts program

  • Dollars for Doers volunteer program

  • Paid volunteering days

  • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Base Salary Compensation Range

Incentive Target Percentage

If you receive and accept an offer from us, we require that personal and any related investments be disclosed confidentiality to our Compliance team (days vary by region). These investments will be reviewed to ensure they meet Code of Ethics requirements. If any conflicts of interest are identified, then you will be required to liquidate those holdings immediately. In addition, dependent on your department and location of work certain employee accounts must be held with an approved broker (for example all, U.S. employee accounts). If this applies and your account(s) are not with an approved broker, you will be required to move your holdings to an approved broker.

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.