Head of Credit and Country Risk (2nd Line of Defence)

Michael Page (UK); City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A regulated UK bank is seeking a strategic leader to head its Credit and Country Risk function. The successful candidate will develop risk frameworks, oversee credit risk policies, and lead a high-performing team. Candidates must have a degree in a relevant field and proven experience in credit risk within banking. This position offers a hybrid working model and competitive benefits such as a pension scheme and private medical insurance.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

Competitive pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution)

Private Medical Insurance

Discretionary Bonus

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in Credit Risk within banking or financial services.
• Experience in emerging and frontier markets is highly desirable.
• Strong expertise in sovereign/Country Risk analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the evolution of Credit Risk frameworks, policies, and processes.
• Provide oversight on assessments of economic, political, legal, and social factors.
• Lead and develop a high-performing Credit and Country Risk team.

Skills

Leadership in Credit Risk

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Economic analysis

Education

Degree in Economics, Finance, or Risk Management

CFA or postgraduate qualification

Job description

Overview

About Our Client

A rapidly expanding, regulated UK bank specialising in FX and cross-border payments across emerging and frontier markets. The organisation is transforming how money moves globally by reducing friction, improving reliability, and increasing transparency. Through a combination of deep market relationships and innovative digital capabilities, the bank enables governments, development organisations, fintechs, corporates, and financial institutions to access hard-to-reach markets with speed and confidence.

Job Description

The Role

This is a strategic leadership opportunity to shape and strengthen the bank's 2nd line of defence Credit and Country Risk function. You'll lead the development of robust risk frameworks, tools, and analytics, ensuring a balanced approach to risk and growth as the bank expands across diverse geographies.

Responsibilities Credit Risk Oversight

• Lead the evolution of Credit Risk frameworks, policies, and processes.
• Own Credit Risk appetite settings and monitor portfolio performance.
• Enhance assessment tools, models, and decisioning processes.
• Drive portfolio analytics to manage risk across products and regions.
• Collaborate with Commercial and Finance teams to align lending decisions with strategy.
• Review and approve complex or high-value credit applications.
• Contribute to strategic and regulatory processes (e.g. IFRS9, ICAAP, ILAAP, Pillar 3, TCFD).

Country Risk Analysis

• Provide oversight on assessments of economic, political, legal, and social factors.
• Develop dynamic Country Risk rating models and assessment approaches.
• Deliver regular reports and briefings to senior management and the board.
• Act as an internal expert on macro and sovereign risk.

Leadership & Governance

• Lead and develop a high-performing Credit and Country Risk team.
• Collaborate across Risk, Compliance, and Commercial functions.
• Represent the function in governance forums and risk committees.
• Stay ahead of global trends and best practices in Credit and Country Risk.

The Successful Applicant Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Economics, Finance, Risk Management or related field; CFA or postgraduate qualification preferred.
• Proven leadership in Credit Risk within banking or financial services.
• Experience in emerging and frontier markets is highly desirable.
• Strong expertise in sovereign/Country Risk analysis.
• Deep understanding of Credit principles, financial analysis, macroeconomics, and regulatory frameworks.
• Track record of navigating market disruptions and escalating risk insights to senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills.

What's on Offer Benefits

• Hybrid working model
• Competitive pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution)
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Group Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance (including Optical, Dental, Audiology)
• Discretionary Bonus
• Generous Annual Leave
• 2 Volunteering Days
• Access to Benefit Hub