Director, Leveraged Finance Research Analyst - Financials sector

About this role

Business Unit Overview:

BlackRock's Fundamental Fixed Income team offers an array of fixed income products designed to meet specific client risk and return profiles. Incorporating the expertise of BlackRock's sector specialists, each client portfolio is tailored to reflect specific investment guidelines and objectives with respect to interest rate exposure, sector allocation and credit quality.

BlackRock's Leveraged Finance platform manages High Yield Bonds, Leveraged Loans, CLO’s and Long/Short Credit portfolios. The team is global with investment professionals in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Role Overview:

This is a Senior Analyst position within the European Leverage Finance team. This individual will report to the EMEA Head of Research and will work closely with our Head of European High Yield and Long/Short Credit Strategies and other portfolio managers to assess credit investment opportunities within the Banking & Financial sectors.

The candidate will be responsible for rigorous credit-orientated, deep fundamental research across the corporate capital structures and for monitoring investments for High Yield, Leveraged Loan and Long/Short Credit portfolios. They will be tasked with producing active, alpha-generating investments in the overall Financials sector and will have an active role in the day-to-day management of the dedicated Financials mandates that the LevFin team has and is in the process of launching.

Key responsibilities:

• Cover the Financials sector (with focus on non-IG securities), including Debt Collectors and non-bank Financial credits, analysing and explaining economic, competitive and political drivers that impact a borrower's credit quality and assessing relative value.
• Conduct fundamental credit research across the corporate capital structure.
• Contribute trade ideas and discuss them with the portfolio managers, and participate in relative value and trade structuring discussions.
• Collaborate with other Financials analysts on the Investment Grade team to ensure effective and holistic coverage of the overall sector
• Interact with management teams, industry sources, other analysts, sell-side analysts, and other investment professionals.
• Assimilate and filter various sources of information to develop long term, well-researched investment theses on credits, sectors and issuers. 
• Create historical and projected financial models, analyse key financial and operational metrics, develop deep valuation.
• Communicate credit opinions and investment recommendations orally and in writing to Portfolio Managers, other analysts, credit and advisory committees and external clients.
• Mentor and train junior analysts in the team.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience of identifying profitable investment opportunities based on extensive fundamental research on issuers in European Financial sector (additional HY credit experience will be welcome)
• Expert in credit/financial statement analysis, with specific experience analysing companies, fixed income securities, credit derivatives and equity investments
• Familiarity and experience with bond and loan covenants; familiarity with leveraged loan credits and syndication processes is beneficial but not essential
• Advanced financial analysis and modelling skills with specific experience in one of several of the following: analysing companies, fixed income securities or equity investments
• Inquisitive nature, driven to excel in all aspects of the analytical process and in assessing opportunities through different asset classes
• Enquiring and analytically minded with a logical and thorough work ethic
• Must possess the desire and ability to work in a team-orientated environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be fluent in English; Fluency in a second language is preferred

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future; access to education reimbursement; comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being; family support programs; and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Our hybrid work model

BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.

About BlackRock

At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being.  Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.

This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.

For additional information on BlackRock, please visit @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics at law.