Associate Managing Director - Public Finance (Local Governments)

At Moody's, we unite the brightest minds to turn today’s risks into tomorrow’s opportunities. We do this by striving to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome to be who they are—with the freedom to exchange ideas, think innovatively, and listen to each other and customers in meaningful ways. Moody’s is transforming how the world sees risk. As a global leader in ratings and integrated risk assessment, we’re advancing AI to move from insight to action—enabling intelligence that not only understands complexity but responds to it. We decode risk to unlock opportunity, helping our clients navigate uncertainty with clarity, speed, and confidence.

If you are excited about this opportunity but do not meet every single requirement, please apply! You still may be a great fit for this role or other open roles. We are seeking candidates who model our values: invest in every relationship, lead with curiosity, champion diverse perspectives, turn inputs into actions, and uphold trust through integrity. 

Skills and Competencies

• Extensive experience in credit/risk assessment, with deep knowledge of US debt and capital markets.
• 12+ years in management, credit analysis, or portfolio management.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, delegate responsibilities, and leverage diverse skills.
• Exceptional communication skills, able to articulate complex issues and influence varied audiences.
• Collaborative mindset, working across offices to strengthen Moody’s local government franchise.
• Intellectual curiosity, comfort with complexity, and a track record of idea generation.
• Strong relationship-building skills and effective representation of the Moody’s brand.
• Highly organized, efficient, and able to meet tight deadlines while leading teams to do the same.
• Commitment to ongoing self-development and continuous improvement.
  
  

Responsibilities

At Moody’s, we believe strong leadership is grounded in vision, agility, and purpose. We look for individuals who are forward-thinking, embrace change, champion innovation, and communicate with clarity and empathy. Whether working across teams, technologies, or geographies, we value those who inspire others, lead with emotional intelligence, and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and shared success.

The opportunity is for an Associate Managing Director (AMD) to take on full management responsibility for a San Francisco-based ratings team covering a portfolio of municipal issuers. This position will report to a Managing Director in the Public Finance Group (PFG), and is responsible for:

• Oversee a team of 12 credit professionals, responsible for approximately 1,600 issuers (cities, counties, K-12 school districts, and other municipal entities).
• Ensure accurate credit analysis and ratings, timely and transparent communication, and excellent service quality.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with rated entities, intermediaries, investors, and market participants.
• Foster cross-team collaboration, especially with analysts in related sectors and the San Francisco office.
• Develop expertise in municipal finance, including West market specialization.
• Drive thought-leading research and represent Moody’s at conferences, in media, and within the finance community.
• Lead talent development, hiring, and motivation, working closely with the People team.
• Harmonize analytical approaches and processes, implement new policies, and drive process improvements.
• Support strategic initiatives, adapting proactively to market and technology changes.
• Champion DE&I initiatives and ensure team engagement in related events.
• Model Moody’s values and positively influence team culture.
• Lead change and innovation, standardize analytic tools, and promote firm-wide initiatives (AI integration, workflow digitization, private credit, transition finance).

About the team

Our US Public Finance Group (PFG) team is responsible for conducting credit analysis and assigning debt ratings for local governments, including cities, counties, school districts, and municipal utilities. The team enhances Moody’s by ensuring ratings accuracy, publishing forward-looking research, and engaging with issuers and investors. By joining our team, you will contribute to impactful work in municipal finance across the West Coast, helping shape financial transparency and stability.

For US-based roles only: the anticipated hiring base salary range for this position is $231,400.00 - $335,500.00, depending on factors such as experience, education, level, skills, and location. This range is based on a full-time position. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for incentive compensation. Moody’s also offers a competitive benefits package, including not but limited to medical, dental, vision, parental leave, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, life, disability, and accident insurance, a discounted employee stock purchase plan, and tuition reimbursement.

Moody’s is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Moody’s also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about a reasonable accommodation, or need assistance with completing the application process, please email accommodations@moodys.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only, and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications

For San Francisco positions, qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

This position may be considered a promotional opportunity, pursuant to the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Click here to view our full EEO policy statement. Click here for more information on your EEO rights under the law. Click here to view our Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination statement. Click here to view our Notice to New York City Applicants.
Candidates for Moody's Corporation may be asked to disclose securities holdings pursuant to Moody’s Policy for Securities Trading and the requirements of the position. Employment is contingent upon compliance with the Policy, including remediation of positions in those holdings as necessary.