Moody’s expands in Singapore in drive for local talent

Moody’s is looking for local talent in several job functions as it expands its business in Singapore.

The risk assessment firm employs about 2,000 people in Asia Pacific, including 278 in its Singapore office, which is its South and Southeast Asia hub and houses many of its APAC leaders. Headcount increased 15% in Singapore in 2019, the highest rate of any of Moody’s 19 offices in APAC.

“Given the sheer growth of our business in Singapore and Southeast Asia, I expect this demand for talent to keep on rising in the future, possibly even more rapidly than now,” says Wendy Cheong, managing director and regional head of Asia Pacific at Moody’s Investors Service, which provides credit ratings, research and risk analysis. Cheong is responsible for developing and supporting Moody’s growth strategy in the region’s developed and emerging markets. She also has oversight of various joint ventures in APAC.

Moody’s has 28 Singapore-based jobs on offer as of 19 July. There are 14 vacancies in credit analysis and research; nine in sales, marketing and product; four in corporate services; and one in engineering and technology. The company is hiring across its three units: Moody’s Investors Service, Moody’s Analytics, and Moody’s ESG Solutions.

The latter business, which spearheads ESG, climate and sustainable finance efforts in APAC, opened in Singapore in February. “The ESG sector is ramping up in Singapore as investors are increasingly concerned about climate change and sustainability. We currently have eight ESG vacancies – from marketing and community outreach, to product and sales – with another 16 forecast to come online later this year and in 2022,” says Cheong.

No matter what part of Moody’s you join, Cheong says the firm is looking for “forward-thinking employees who can bring fresh perspectives, so we are very intentional in hiring from a diverse range of backgrounds”. “We have a collaborative and collegiate company culture, and we appeal to people looking to be part of an innovative, growth-driven and inclusive organisation,” she adds.

Cheong describes Moody’s as a “glocal” firm, meaning that it maintains global perspectives and objectives, while at the same time adapting to the interests of the local markets it operates in, including Singapore. “We need to hire people with local knowledge in order to be successful. In Singapore, we value talent with local perspectives as this means we can better serve local customers,” she adds.

Local candidates interested in jobs at Moody’s can chat to its talent acquisition team at the eFinancialCareers Virtual Careers Event on 28 July.

“Singapore has a robust pool of talent available, and for employers, it’s a matter of knowing how to tap this pool and leverage their capabilities. Singapore’s continued competitiveness and leading financial-hub status have convinced us that it’s an ideal location to acquire and nurture talent,” says Cheong.

As Moody’s grows across APAC, there will be more opportunities for Singapore staff to move into new roles or countries, says Cheong, who cites her own career as a good example of the internal mobility on offer. Cheong is a Singaporean who’s currently based in Hong Kong and also worked for Moody’s in New York.

“Singapore provided me with the foundation to excel in the workplace. It was my adventurous streak that led me to then venture overseas. I’ve immersed myself in varied cultures, which has helped me communicate more effectively and made me a more confident and empathetic leader who’s able to relate to the diverse groups we have at Moody’s,” says Cheong, who joined the firm in 2010. “Working overseas has also helped me build resilience and independence, and to better appreciate the comforts of Singapore. I can’t wait to return home, as and when the chance arises,” she adds.

Cheong says Singaporean professionals should consider working overseas. “The vast opportunities offered by Singapore’s status as a financial hub serving the ASEAN market and Asia-Pacific hinterlands are not to be underestimated. For this hub to thrive, it needs Singaporeans who have a global outlook and exposure, and who’ll be able to bring dynamism and valuable fresh perspectives gained from working abroad. Singaporeans, too, will benefit – their international experience gives them a strong competitive edge over peers who do not have the same broad exposure,” she adds.

To chat with recruiters from Moody's and other leading employers, register now for the eFinancialCareers Virtual Careers Event on 28 July: Singaporeans & Singapore PRs in Financial Services.

Photo by Felix Fuchs on Unsplash