Credit Risk Lead

Description

The Credit Risk Lead is responsible for evaluating, monitoring, and managing the organization’s exposure to credit risk, particularly around building and growing our future credit and lending programs. This role develops and implements credit risk policies, oversees credit analysis processes, and ensures lending and counterparty decisions align with the organization’s risk appetite and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain credit risk policies, procedures, and frameworks


• Develop Risk Assessment Framework


• Assess creditworthiness of individual and/or corporate borrowers/counterparties through financial statement analysis, credit scoring models, and industry research


• Monitor and report on the credit portfolio's performance, including delinquency rates, concentration risk, and early warning indicators


• Set and manage credit limits, terms, and approval authorities


• Conduct stress testing and scenario analysis to evaluate portfolio resilience under adverse conditions


• Collaborate with sales, payments, and finance teams to balance growth objectives with risk tolerance


• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements


• Prepare risk reports and presentations for senior management, credit committees, and the board


• Review and approve credit applications above defined thresholds


• Manage relationships with credit rating agencies, auditors, and regulators as needed


• Lead or support remediation of past-due accounts and workout strategies for distressed credits


• Mentor and manage credit analysts or junior risk staff, if applicable


• Stay current on macroeconomic trends, industry developments, and regulatory changes affecting credit risk

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related field (MBA or relevant master's degree a plus) or equivalent experience.


• 8+ years of experience in credit risk management, commercial/consumer lending, or related financial analysis roles


• Strong understanding of credit risk modeling, financial statement analysis, and risk rating systems


• Familiarity with relevant regulatory frameworks (e.g., Basel III, Dodd-Frank, IFRS 9, CECL)


• Proficiency in risk management software and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, SAS, Python, or similar)


• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly


• High attention to detail and sound judgment under pressure

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building a credit program is preferred


• Professional certification such as CFA, FRM, or PRM


• Experience with credit risk modeling tools and/or enterprise risk management systems


• Prior experience in (industry, e.g., banking, commercial lending, fintech)


• Experience building, managing, and mentoring a team a plus


• Start up experience is a plus

Key Competencies

• Analytical thinking and data-driven decision-making


• Risk assessment and mitigation


• Regulatory and compliance knowledge


• Stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration


• Leadership and communication