Assistant Vice President, Corporate Ratings (Legal Counsel / Finance Lawyer)

About the Role

Morningstar DBRS is seeking a highly motivated lawyer with at least five years of transactional lending experience to support its European Corporate Ratings business. Reporting to the Managing Director, Head of Asset Finance, the successful candidate will work closely with the broader Legal team and credit analysts across Europe to support the Global Corporate Ratings business. The role involves providing legal advice and transactional support on a wide range of corporate and infrastructure finance matters.

This position offers the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment that values rigorous critical thinking, open dialogue, and continuous professional development. The successful candidate will gain significant exposure to issuers, investors, advisors, and other key stakeholders across the European corporate and infrastructure finance markets. The role will be based in Morningstar DBRS's Madrid office in Spain.

Job Responsibilities

• Review legal documentation underlying credit rating analysis and advise analysts and rating committee on legal issues that may impact credit risk and ratings.
• Communicate Morningstar DBRS’ position on legal, structural and methodology‑related matters to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the analytical team in evaluating legal, structural, and reputational risks relating to credit ratings.
• Provide support in the drafting, review, and implementation of Morningstar DBRS policies, procedures, methodologies, and criteria.
• Review and analyse financing and transaction documentation, summarising key legal terms and considerations for analysts and rating committees.
• Conduct legal research and analysis on issues relevant to the corporate and infrastructure finance sectors.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and case law developments and advise analysts and legal colleagues on their potential impact on rating activities and methodologies.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of rating methodologies, criteria, and legal commentaries.
• Represent Morningstar DBRS in meetings with issuers, advisors, investors, and other market participants, as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Law degree with strong academic credentials.
• Qualified lawyer with admission to practice in a relevant European jurisdiction.
• Minimum 5+ years’ experience advising on secured lending, securitisation, and/or sponsor‑backed or leveraged finance transactions; gained in a law firm or an in‑house legal role within the financial services sector.
• Excellent legal research, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Fluency in English, with outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, collaborative, and deadline‑driven environment.
• Proactive, adaptable, and capable of working both independently and as part of a cross‑functional team.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of accuracy and quality.

Compensation and Benefits

Base Salary Compensation Range: EUR63,400.00–92,133.33
Bonus Target: 20% Annual. We expect the compensation and target bonus for this role to fall within the stated range. The specific compensation offered will depend on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and other job‑related factors.

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.

EEO Statement

Morningstar is a global independent investment research and financial data company. Here, you’ll help uncover what’s hidden, simplify what’s complex, and create insights that empower investor success. Morningstar Development Program.

Morningstar is strongly committed to creating and preserving equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We make all employment decisions—including recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, termination, and other personnel matters—without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship, gender identity and expression, parental status, or other legally protected characteristics or conduct.