Head of Risk

Spring Financial; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative fintech company is seeking a visionary Head of Risk to lead the credit risk strategy for a new lending initiative. This high-impact role involves building and deploying credit risk models, translating regulatory requirements into practical solutions, and leveraging AI/ML techniques to enhance underwriting processes. Join a dynamic team dedicated to democratizing financial access for Canadians while enjoying a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of consumer lending in Canada and make a real impact in the financial sector.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

GRSP matching program

Hybrid work environment

Qualifications

• 7+ years in credit risk modeling across banking and fintech.
• Strong track record in building PD, LGD, and EAD models.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end credit risk lifecycle for unsecured loans.
• Build and deploy underwriting models for credit applicants.

Skills

credit risk modeling

statistical modeling techniques

machine learning algorithms

portfolio optimization

communication skills

Education

Bachelor's in Statistics

Master’s in Finance

Tools

Python

SQL

SAS

MATLAB

AWS SageMaker

Databricks

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

About Spring Financial

Spring Financial is revolutionizing financial access for Canadians by offering smart credit-building, mortgage, and lending solutions. Millions of Canadians face high-interest debt and limited financial options — we’re here to change that. As one of the country’s fastest-growing fintech companies, we help over 1 million customers each year explore their financing options easily — whether online, via text, or over the phone. Our dynamic, innovative team thrives on collaboration, growth, and making a real impact.

We believe every Canadian deserves access to credit, and we’re building smarter lending products to make that happen. With millions of applicants and industry-leading growth, we’re now launching our Prime Lending vertical — and we need a visionary to lead the risk strategy from the ground up.

To learn more about our products, please visit our website: www.springfinancial.ca

The Opportunity

We’re looking for an experienced Head of Risk to build, deploy, and own the credit risk strategy for our new Prime and Non-Prime unsecured personal loan product. This is a high-impact leadership role reporting directly to the CEO and collaborating closely with the CFO and executive team.

If you’re a data-driven leader with deep expertise in creating, deploying, monitoring and refining credit models, underwriting guidelines, evaluating loan performance and credit risk governance, this is your opportunity to shape a core product at one of Canada’s fastest-growing fintechs.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Own the end-to-end credit risk lifecycle for our unsecured installment product – from model design, model categorization/scoring implementation, validation, and on-going monitoring
• Build and deploy underwriting models (PD, LGD, behavioral scorecards) for all applicants across the credit spectrum
• Translate complex regulatory requirements (BASEL, IFRS 9, CECL, etc.) into practical modelled solutions
• Develop frameworks for credit strategy, pricing, credit limit management, and collections
• Leverage AI/ML techniques to enhance the predictive power and enhance underwriting models
• Design and manage ongoing model monitoring, including delinquency tracking, static cohort performance, roll rates, and payment performance
• Build and maintain a stress testing environment to allow for ad hoc and periodic assessment for a range of potential macroeconomic and idiosyncratic risks
• Lead data analytics and forecasting to identify trends and optimize portfolio performance
• Oversee model governance and ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory expectations
• Deliver regular risk reports and strategic insights to the CEO, CFO, and executive leadership team
• Build, mentor, and scale a high-performance credit risk and analytics team as the Prime vertical grows

What You Should Already Have:

• 7+ years of experience in credit risk modeling, ideally across banking, fintech, and consulting, with particular emphasis in statistical modeling techniques and machine learning algorithms applied to credit risk for credit lifecycle management (adjudication, account management, collections), scoring and allowance calculations (e.g. IFRS 9)
• Designations such as CFA, FRM, or CRMP are preferred and will be considered a strong asset.
• Strong track record building and deploying Probability of Default (PD), Loss Given Default (LGD), and Exposure at Default (EAD) models in unsecured lending
• Proficiency in program languages and data visualization tools like Python, SQL, SAS, MATLAB, AWS SageMaker, Databricks, Tableau, Power BI
• Demonstrated success in portfolio optimization, collections strategy, and model monitoring
• Experience with IRB models, risk-weighted assets (RWA), and capital efficiency is a strong asset
• Excellent communication and executive reporting skills
• A strategic mindset with the ability to balance risk and growth goals
• Bachelor's or Master’s in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Finance, or quantitative discipline or related field

Why Join Spring

• Lead risk for a brand-new Prime and Non-Prime Lending initiative with full executive support
• Work with a high-performing fintech team on a mission to democratize credit for everyday Canadians
• Opportunity to shape the next chapter of an up-and-coming consumer lending in Canada

What We Will Give You:

• Competitive annual salary ranging from $140,000 to $300,000, reflective of experience and impact.
• Hybrid work environment based out of our downtown Vancouver
• Comprehensive benefits package, including extended health, dental, and vision coverage — with 100% of monthly premiums covered by the Spring.
• GRSP matching program to support your long-term financial goals.

This is a truly exciting time to join Spring Financial and we are looking forward to doing great things together!