As one of the world’s top three credit ratings agencies, Fitch Ratings plays a critical role in global capital markets by providing credit analysis, ratings, research, and commentary to financial market participants. For over 100 years, Fitch Ratings has been creating value for global markets through its rigorous analysis and deep expertise, which have resulted in a variety of market leading tools, methodologies, indices, research, and analytical products. Fitch Ratings is part of Fitch Group, a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries, which also includes Fitch Solutions. With dual headquarters in London and New York, Fitch Group is owned by Hearst.
Explore a career at Fitch Ratings and you’ll join a collaborative network of curious minds. Here, our differences are our strengths - in life as well as our work. Together we work with integrity and objectivity to provide clarity to the world’s financial markets. We pride ourselves on our ability to harness the ideas, expertise, and professionalism of our global workforce, which is integral to our continued success. The accessibility and depth of experience of our industry leading analysts, combined with our broad sector credentials, allow us to help market participants make important credit decisions with confidence.
Fitch Ratings is currently seeking a Director/Senior Director based out of our Frankfurt office.
About the Team
The DACH corporate funding landscape is changing faster than at any point in the past decade. German, Austrian and Swiss corporates are broadening their funding mix beyond relationship bank debt and Schuldschein into public bond markets. Sponsor-led financing and private credit continue to expand across the Mittelstand and large-cap segments. Spin-offs, carve-outs and take-privates are creating new entities with new rating needs and new financing structures that require a credible, independent credit opinion.
Fitch has a clear growth ambition in this market. For the right candidate, this is an great opportunity to join a motivated team, shape its commercial strategy, and build a franchise rather than inherit one.
How You’ll Make an Impact:
This is a business origination role within Fitch Ratings' Business & Relationship Management group, covering corporate issuers across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
You will generate new rating mandates through two channels: building and deepening relationships with banks and intermediaries (DCM, Syndicate, Origination and Leveraged Finance), and marketing directly to corporate issuers, both rated and unrated. You will also help raise the profile of the Fitch brand through direct engagement, third-party conferences and targeted hosted events.
The role may additionally involve supporting selected business initiatives in the wider EMEA region.
Originate new business
- Build and maintain a network of intermediaries across investment grade and high yield / leveraged finance who bring Fitch into pitch processes
- Pitch directly to corporate issuer targets, both rated and unrated, across DACH
- Contribute to mapping Fitch's EMEA intermediary coverage, coordinating closely with London-based peers
Set and execute the regional strategy
- Understand Fitch's competitive positioning in the non-financial corporates market and translate it into a prioritised target list
- Develop a persuasive, evidence-based case for the value of a Fitch rating, grounded in a working knowledge of the credit rating landscape
- Work independently to develop and implement the commercial strategy for your market
Manage relationships and execution
- Act as relationship manager for newly mandated DACH issuers through their first year as Fitch-rated entities, before handover to ongoing portfolio coverage
- Lead commercial execution, including fee negotiation and the preparation of Engagement Letters, Confidentiality Agreements and Hold Harmless Letters
- Partner with Marketing Research Associates on pitchbooks and issuer-facing materials
- Bring creative ideas to market: tailored webinars, sector campaigns and new marketing angles
You May be a Good Fit if:
- German at native or near-native level, and excellent English
- A strong understanding of corporate finance and the evolving debt capital markets landscape across investment grade, high yield and leveraged finance — ideally gained in an origination, syndicate or advisory role
- A demonstrable track record of originating new business and developing revenue from both established and self-generated prospect lists
- Excellent communication skills, with the confidence and credibility to engage Treasurers, CFOs and senior bankers
- The ability to work autonomously and own a market end-to-end
- A team-oriented approach, building effective relationships internally as well as externally
- Strong command of Microsoft Office and Salesforce
What Would Make You Stand Out:
- Established banker relationships in DACH, both local and international
- Established Treasurer and CFO relationships in DACH, with a contact base beyond the region a further advantage
- Familiarity with the specifics of the German funding market
- An understanding of credit analysis and the role of ratings in capital markets
- A university degree, preferably in a business discipline; a further qualification such as a master's or MBA is welcome
On title: This role is open at Director or Senior Director level. The appointed title will reflect depth of experience and the strength of existing market relationships.
Why Choose Fitch:
- Hybrid Work Environment: 3 days a week in office required
- A Culture of Learning & Mobility: Dedicated trainings, leadership development and mentorship programs designed to ensure that your time at Fitch will be a continuous learning opportunity
- Investing in Your Future: Retirement planning and tuition reimbursement programs that empower you to achieve your short and long-term goals
- Promoting Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare offerings that enable physical, mental, financial, social, and occupational wellbeing
- Supportive Parenting Policies: Family-friendly policies, including a generous global parental leave plan, designed to help you balance career and family life effectively
- Inclusive Work Environment: A collaborative workplace where all voices are valued, with Employee Resource Groups that unite and empower our colleagues around the globe
- Dedication to Giving Back: Paid volunteer days, matched funding for donations and ample opportunities to volunteer in your community
At Fitch, AI is embedded in how we work every day—supporting smarter decision-making, streamlining workflows, and enabling new ways to create value for our business and clients. Intelligent solutions are increasingly part of our day-to-day operations, helping teams work more efficiently and think differently as we continue to evolve. We’re looking for colleagues who are comfortable operating in an AI-enabled environment—or who are curious, adaptable, and eager to build their AI literacy over time. We value professionals who embrace technology as part of continuous learning and who are committed to using it thoughtfully to enhance how work gets done.
Fitch is committed to providing global securities markets with objective, timely, independent and forward-looking credit opinions. To protect Fitch’s credibility and reputation, our employees must take every precaution to avoid conflicts of interests or any appearance of a conflict of interest. Should you be successful in the recruitment process at Fitch Ratings you will be asked to declare any securities holdings and other potential conflicts prior to commencing employment. If you, or your immediate family, have any holdings that may conflict with your work responsibilities, you may be asked to divest yourself of them before beginning work.
Fitch is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.
#LI-CM1 #LI-Hybrid