Senior Credit Risk Officer

Company Description

Natixis in Portugal is fully integrated in the global organization of Natixis, a French multinational financial services firm specialized in Asset & Wealth Management, Corporate & Investment Banking, Insurance and Payments. A subsidiary of Groupe BPCE, Natixis counts nearly 16.000 employees across 38 countries.

Based in Porto, Natixis Centre of Expertise mission is to transform traditional banking by developing innovative solutions for the bank’s business, operations and work culture worldwide, as a key driver of the company’s culture of agility and innovation. Teams of IT and Banking Support Activities work in an integrated, inclusive and transversal way, supporting all the business lines and country platforms.

Natixis in Portugal is the best combination of a “start-up mindset” with a large, solid structure. Its unique culture gives true meaning to a “beyond banking” personality: to be a real entrepreneur, self-challenging, ever striving to excel and go that extra mile.

**Job Description**:
The Credit Risk Officer position will be primarily responsible for the North American Bank and Broker/ Dealer portfolio, which is part of the Financial Institutions - Large FI Risk team, which covers banks, insurance companies, broker/ dealers and pension funds for the Americas.

The Large FI Credit Risk team is considered the second line of defense at Natixis, and accordingly, the focus will be on the counterparty assessment of the Credit Requests (mainly Trading), the recommendation of an internal rating (based on the appropriate internal model and LGD) and the formulation of a written Risk Opinion, which may be presented to Credit Committee.

The Credit Officer should:

- Be familiar with due diligence and analysis requirements for counterparties and capital markets products.
- Be able to identify and concisely describe the potential risk(s) and positive attributes of each request, with the ultimate goal being to support the business while avoiding undue risks and credit loss.
- Be proficient in MS Office products including extensive knowledge of MS Excel.
- Have excellent communication (written, oral and listening) and interpersonal skills. Skillful written communication is essential: the ability to convey thoughts clearly and succinctly and to communicate pertinent complex information in a clear and organized manner.
- Have strong analytical and critical thinking abilities
- Be self-motivated with the ability to work independently while also understanding when to involve other team members as needed and to work effectively in a team environment.
- High degree of integrity and strong work ethic.

**Essential duties and responsibilities**

The Credit Officer will be responsible for providing analysis on Financial Institutions for primarily the North American banks and broker/ dealers, but responsibilities may extend to LatAm banks, Insurance companies and pension funds; the role will include, but will not be limited to:

- In line with Natixis policies and procedures, prepare written risk opinions and analysis; articulate a convincing case in support of the risk opinion (and rating); and challenge the First Line of Defense analysis/ request when appropriate
- Present to Senior Management and Credit Committees when required
- Conduct client due diligence calls or visits when appropriate; professionally represent the bank with clients
- Recommend Credit terms and conditions within Trading Documentation (e.g. ISDA/ CSA, MRA, MSLA)
- Stay connected with industry trends and macro issues which may impact the portfolio; be able to recommend changes or actions impacting specific clients or groups of clients.
- Have a good understanding of the regulatory environment that each of our counterparts operates in.

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university/college required in Finance, Accounting, Economics or other business-related discipline. Graduate degree preferred, but not essential.
- ** Must be fluent (written and oral) in English**:

- Fluency in Spanish is a plus;
- Minimum 5-10 years of previous credit experience that has preferably included the review of trading limits to financial institution counterparties and knowledge of Global Trade transactions.
- Previous experience in a financial institution a plus

**We will only consider English CV's.**

Additional Information

Early morning. Campo 24 de Agosto. In 4 minutes, you are clocking in at the office. After grabbing a cup of coffee and fresh fruit, pick up your laptop and choose your spot for the day. It's going to be a busy one: French class before lunch and, just after, quick medical appointment at Natixis doctor's office. Lunch break. Outside in the big terrace (look at your crops at the Urban Garden; ready to harvest) or, if you feel like stretching your legs, walk downtown to grab lunch.

Back inside. Quick sprint review (working together anywhere means virtual happy birthday to that colleague in