Interim Head of Credit Risk

JR United Kingdom; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic and growing financial institution seeks an Interim Head of Credit Risk to lead their credit risk management efforts. The ideal candidate will have a strong credit risk background, manage a small team, and ensure robust risk management practices. This role promises to contribute to a better banking experience through innovative problem-solving and customer-centricity.

Qualifications

• Strong background in credit risk and risk management leadership roles.
• Experience in secured lending and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrable experience in managing credit risk through the lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Credit Risk Function and optimize risk management strategies.
• Ensure adherence to policies and provide expertise on credit risk.
• Develop credit risk metrics and manage risk-related reporting.

Skills

Credit Risk Management

Team Leadership

Collaboration

Adaptability

Problem Solving

Strategic Thinking

Job description

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We are a dynamic and growing financial institution, building our operations from the ground up with a focus on innovation and customer-centricity. Our mission is to unlock opportunities by developing new, bespoke savings and mortgage products powered by cutting-edge technology. We believe in creating a better banking experience and are looking for progressive, innovative problem-solvers who can deliver exceptional value and build strong relationships. If you're ready to contribute to a forward-thinking environment and empower individuals to achieve their financial ambitions, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities

As the Interim Head of Credit Risk, you will play a crucial role in safeguarding our financial health and ensuring robust risk management practices. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the second line Credit Risk Function to optimize and embed the Credit Risk Management Framework.
• Promoting and ensuring adherence to the organization's Credit Risk Management framework, relevant risk and compliance policies, and procedures, with timely escalation of concerns.
• Providing subject matter expert advice to support the maintenance of credit risk management practices in line with regulatory standards.
• Collaborating with first-line operational areas involved in credit risk management to foster high standards of practice and efficient processes.
• Leading, managing, developing, and coaching a small team of risk professionals to oversee the delivery of credit risk expertise.
• Leading assurance activity on lending portfolios and the implementation of credit policy, processes, and guidance.
• Developing and reporting against a suite of credit risk metrics covering risk appetite, key risk indicators, and key performance indicators.
• Ensuring that credit risk policies support the organization's risk appetite and business strategy.
• Developing and maintaining effective approaches for credit risk measurement appropriate for each asset class.
• Identifying emerging credit risks through regular reporting and analysis of credit risk performance data, alongside external horizon scanning.
• Contributing to the ICAAP process through review, challenge, and direct inputs.
• Developing and maintaining policy for credit risk impairment and provisions, and overseeing the monthly impairment calculation.
• Taking an active part in credit underwriting through exercising and delegating approval authorities.
• Actively participating in the organization's Credit Committee and other executive/board-level committees as required, providing insights on the credit risk profile.
• Supporting the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) in delivering the overall risk strategy.
• Championing an effective positive risk culture through communication and collaboration.

Key Tasks

• Development and maintenance of risk appetite, KRI, and KPI frameworks.
• Development, review, and maintenance of credit risk policies.
• Regular credit assurance activity on the credit risk profile and practices.
• Regular reporting, monitoring, and analysis of credit risk performance against established metrics.
• Active participation in credit underwriting and oversight of related areas.
• Leading a small team, ensuring clear direction and deliverables aligned with business objectives.
• Promotion of a positive risk culture across the organization.

Experience

We are seeking a candidate with a strong background in credit risk, including:

• Demonstrable practical experience managing credit risk throughout the credit lifecycle.
• Experience with both expert and judgmental lending approaches, as well as portfolio/modelled approaches to credit risk management.
• Proven experience developing, implementing, and embedding all aspects of risk management frameworks, with a collaborative approach.
• Experience in developing and integrating enhanced management information capabilities within oversight and decision-making processes.
• Familiarity with the regulatory environment relating to credit risk and a sound understanding of current financial services market trends and upcoming regulatory changes.
• Prior experience leading business-as-usual continuous improvements.
• Experience presenting to Board/Non-executive directors or regulators.
• Proven ability to promote a positive risk culture within a business, function, and team.

Qualifications & Personal Characteristics

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A strong track record in risk management leadership roles.
• A robust technical credit risk background in relevant lending segments, with an emphasis on secured lending.
• The ability to actively build collaborative relationships to achieve joint goals and business value.
• Adaptability to change and strong problem-solving skills in complex environments.
• A business-oriented mindset with a customer focus.
• A long-term strategic approach.
• The courage to make decisive decisions.
• An innovative and proactive demeanor.
• A commitment to personal development.
• High ethical and moral standards.
• A desire to contribute to the development of operations and colleagues.