Head of Canada, Morningstar DBRS

The Company

Morningstar DBRS is a global credit ratings business with close to 800 employees in seven locations globally. Formed through the July 2019 acquisition of DBRS by Morningstar, Inc.

we are the fourth-largest provider of credit ratings in the world. With 165 employees and close to 50 years of corporate experience, Toronto is our credit ratings headquarter and we are core to the Canadian capital markets.

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 4,000 issuers and 60,000 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 in multiple asset classes.

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.

In addition to our registrations in Canada, the U.S. and Europe with the relevant regulators, Morningstar DBRS is also recognized as a credit rating agency by regulators and central banks in various other jurisdictions.

Visit for more information Morningstar DBRS at dbrs.morningstar.com / about.

Morningstar DBRS is fully owned by Morningstar, Inc. The Morningstar group provides data and research insights on a wide range of investment offerings, including managed investment products, publicly listed companies, private capital markets, debt securities, and real-time global market data.

Morningstar operates through wholly- or majority-owned subsidiaries in 32 countries.

The Team

Morningstar DBRS global business is organized by core functions rather than by regions. The Canadian Leader will be part of the Global Credit Leadership Team and drive outcomes through the influence and collaboration with functional leaders rather than the management of the local teams.

The Role / Responsibilities

The Canadian Leadership position is a high-profile senior role responsible for the smooth running of our Toronto-based operations and for all senior outreach activities in Canada.

The Canadian Leader is the primary contact for all c-suite relations, interacting regularly with our most senior Canadian stakeholders and at a wider company level, promoting the Morningstar DBRS brand and facilitating an understanding of Morningstar DBRS’srole in the capital markets.

This includes establishing and maintaining strong relationships with of Canadian capital markets leaders to become the first port of call for any questions regarding Morningstar DBRS’s activities.

The role will also support the President, Morningstar DBRS on global or regional projects, and liaise with other Morningstar Group leaders on day-to-day activities.

The Canadian Leader is responsible for ensuring that Canadian strategies and capabilities are in place so that Morningstar DBRS operates consistently, efficiently, and effectively across the country.

This pivotal role is a blend of strategic and operational leadership that will partner with functions across the entire company to serve the Canadian public and private fixed income markets.

Specific responsibilities include :

Business Development and Expansion

• Work with business development and operational teams to maximize effectiveness of current product and geographical offerings along with innovating new products across the broader Morningstar group
• Broaden and deepen existing relationships in public and private credit markets, banking, pension and insurance companies, balance sheet risk assessments, credit ratings data, credit analytics and increase research subscriptions
• Foster the quality, sustainability, depth, and growth of revenues and adjusted operating income beyond existing coverage and established relationships in fundamental and structured finance credit ratings
• Serve as primary contact for c-suite business interactions and participate in sensitive and key customer meetings
• Build a regional network of key influencers in credit and capital markets
• Identify opportunities for Canada-focused outreach and newsletter topics to support commercial objectives

Business and Investor Strategy

• Drive ambitious revenue and profitability growth through the execution of strategic initiatives for the Canadian business
• The Canadian Leader should know all key Morningstar DBRS’s clients and capital market participants at the most senior and decision making levels
• Prepare, discuss, align, and implement key business strategies to deliver on the company’s multi-year objectives and strategic plans
• Prioritize and oversee key business strategies and resource decisions; implement senior management decisions and budget priorities
• Evaluate and recommend transforming business decisions
• Oversee regional shareholder investments and evaluate non-organic growth initiatives

Communications, Government & Public Affairs

• Help formulate and execute a Canadian government and public affairs strategy focused on policy makers, politicians, journalists, heads of industry and other influential bodies
• Serve as the senior representative to all key regulatory bodies in Canada to support the legal and compliance functions’ working relationships
• Represent Morningstar DBRS at hearings or other external events in Canada as appropriate
• Ensure visibility and effective communication with internal and external clients
• Participate in speaking engagements and hosting roles at key industry events (eg roundtables and conferences), initiating meetings with leading Canadian associations and industry bodies
• Lead the internal communications of key local, regional and global management initiatives and messages to the Toronto office and provide updates on Canada to our global teams
• Provide input and market intelligence on opportunities for original events as well as co-hosting / sponsoring third party events

Credit Operations

• Although not taking part in the credit rating process or playing an analytical role, the Canadian Leader will work alongside senior analytical managers to ensure that conditions are conducive to credit ratings being assigned in accordance with applicable local and global regulations, and Morningstar DBRS’s rating process policies, procedures, and guidelines
• The Canadian Leader will assist with identifying opportunities for raising the efficiency and effectiveness of all aspects of Morningstar DBRS’s Credit Operations business within the Canadian market

People & Culture

• Support Canadian team management and functional heads in attracting, developing, and retaining talent and evaluate staffing levels in relation to their business needs
• Serve as a role model, maximize Canadian employee engagement, and provide oversight on key employee development initiatives

Qualifications

• Executive level experience at a multinational credit rating agency or global financial services company
• Fixed income issuer, intermediary and / or investor experience
• Established relationship experience at the c-suite level in private and public credit markets
• Credible with all market constituencies and experienced in interacting with senior management
• Solid understanding of credit risk analysis and fixed income analytical tools
• Entrepreneurial and results-oriented. Good understanding of capital markets dynamics
• Experience of successful financial management at senior level
• Experience in managing regulated processes
• Demonstrated ability to manage relationships effectively across functions and geographies
• Demonstrated leadership courage in making decisions with less than complete information
• Proven ability to cope with conflict and stressful situations
• Strong negotiation and prioritization skills
• Executes projects effectively; secures and organizes resources, communicates deadlines and accountabilities, monitors progress
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Comfort and experience in engaging media outlets

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.

Morningstar’s hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to work remotely and collaborate in-person each week. While some positions are available as fully remote, we’ve found that we’re at our best when we’re purposely together on a regular basis, typically three days 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.