Job Description: Emerging Markets Credit Research Associate

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC, located in Milwaukee, WI, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company with over $250 billion in assets under management (AUM). The Public Investment department manages $135 billion of total AUM and delivers fixed income expertise to Northwestern Mutual and its affiliate corporations, including the foundation and retirement plan.

About the Job:

Conducts fundamental emerging markets credit research across sovereign, quasi-sovereign, and corporate issuers to develop forward-looking credit views and issuer-level risk assessments. Monitors macroeconomic, political/geopolitical, operating, and capital trends across regions and sectors; synthesizes financial and qualitative inputs into clear, actionable conclusions. Builds issuer and country frameworks using scenario and stress analysis; produces concise written research and investment recommendations; and applies data, technology, and AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency. Partners across the investment platform to drive a consistent credit philosophy and support portfolio construction and risk management.

What You Will Do:

• Applies deep expertise in emerging market credit across sovereign, quasi-sovereign, and corporate issuers in investment-grade and high-yield segments.
• Executes fundamental credit analysis, including financial statement review; cash flow and balance sheet assessment; leverage and liquidity analysis; covenant and capital structure review; and evaluation of management and governance quality.
• Builds and maintains financial models, including base-case and downside/stress scenarios and recovery analysis, as appropriate.
• Develops and communicates differentiated investment theses and relative-value views, including buy/hold/sell recommendations aligned with current portfolio strategy.
• Monitors financial disclosures, earnings, corporate actions, rating agency actions, and market technicals; provides timely updates on credit events and market-moving news.
• Integrates macroeconomic, political/geopolitical, and ESG factors into credit assessments, with emphasis on governance, policy/regulatory risk, and country-risk transmission to issuers.

Group/Organization Dynamics:

• Promotes a culture of mutual respect and high ethical standards.
• Models NM Behaviors: Client First, Powered by Our People, Future Focus.
• Exercises sound judgment and independent thinking.
• Leads process improvement through effective use of technology and data science.
• Responds in a timely manner to requests for data, opinions, and other information.
• Attends and leads/participates in group activities and engages others in relevant discussion.

What You'll Bring to the Role:

• One to five years or longer relevant work experience conducting sovereign or corporate credit analysis. Economics background is a plus.
• Master of Science or Master of Business Administration (MBA) preferred. Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on finance, accounting, economics, statistics, or other related area.
• CFA designation or progress towards attaining the CFA designation recommended (not required).
• Strong analytical skills, including understanding economic trends, performing financial statement analysis, evaluating cross-sector relative value, and presenting credit recommendations for potential investment opportunities.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to prioritize work.
• Proficiency with Bloomberg, Blackrock Aladdin, and other programming or data analytic tools is desirable.

Compensation Range:

We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed.

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Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer who welcomes and encourages diversity in the workforce. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.

If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for additional information pertaining to compensation and benefits.