Deputy Head of Credit

LJ Recruitment; London; Hybrid; GBP 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution is seeking a strategic Deputy Head of Credit to enhance the credit approval process within their UK Credit Risk function. The role is pivotal in ensuring compliance and managing complex credit proposals while providing leadership in a hybrid working environment based in Central London. Ideal candidates will possess strong credit analysis skills and experience in commercial lending, displaying proven leadership ability and expertise in regulatory frameworks.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of relevant credit experience in the UK.
• Strong understanding of PRA, FCA, and Basel regulations.
• Proven leadership and decision-making ability in credit risk environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage credit approval processes and monitor performance.
• Engage with compliance and audit teams for risk reporting.
• Deliver training and coaching to credit staff.

Skills

Credit analysis

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial judgement

Tools

Excel

Job description

Deputy Head of Credit - Commercial & SME Lending
Location: Central London (Hybrid - 3 days in office, 2 from home after 3-month probation)
Salary: 110,000 per annum

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Deputy Head of Credit to support the leadership of the UK Credit Risk function. This high-impact role involves managing credit approval processes, monitoring portfolio performance, and ensuring regulatory and policy compliance across commercial and SME lending.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Head of Credit in overseeing the independent credit risk approval function.
  
• Assess and approve complex credit proposals, identifying key risk areas and providing sound recommendations.
  
• Maintain and enhance the Bank's credit approval framework, including credit policies, procedures, and KPIs.
  
• Monitor ongoing credit quality and risk dynamics at both portfolio and individual client levels.
  
• Act as a key voting member and secretary to the Country Credit Committee - organise meetings, minute decisions, circulate urgent approvals.
  
• Manage internal and external credit risk reporting, ensuring timely submissions to Group, auditors, and regulatory bodies.
  
• Deliver training and coaching to credit staff and ensure consistent application of credit risk standards across the organisation.
  
• Engage with internal teams (Compliance, Audit, Finance, Credit Admin, Monitoring) and support risk-related IT projects.
  

Requirements:

• At least 3 years of relevant credit experience in the UK, specifically in commercial, SME, and Buy-to-Let lending.
  
• Strong understanding of PRA, FCA, and Basel regulations.
  
• In-depth credit analysis skills, including financial statement review, risk identification, and structuring recommendations.
  
• Familiarity with on and off-balance sheet credit risks and mitigants.
  
• Experience with emerging market SMEs and knowledge of sector trends is desirable.
  
• Comfortable using Excel and credit risk tools for analysis and reporting.
  
• Exposure to credit remediation and workout scenarios is a plus.
  

Key Attributes:

• Proven leadership and decision-making ability in credit risk environments.
  
• Strong commercial judgement and ability to challenge and improve credit structures.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• High attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities.
  
• Confident in stakeholder engagement across senior management and cross-functional teams.
  

This is an exceptional opportunity to step into a leadership position within a respected financial institution, shaping the future of credit risk and portfolio quality.

Apply now to join a dynamic team in a hybrid working environment based in Central London.