Lead Credit Risk Analyst

Vanquis Bank; East Hampshire; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading specialist bank in the UK seeks a Lead Credit Risk Analyst. This position involves optimising lending strategies through data-driven insights, ensuring accurate lending decisions, and supporting business growth while managing credit risk. The role offers flexible working arrangements, comprehensive benefits including annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

25 days holiday entitlement, increasing with service

Pension: Up to 10% employer contribution

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Work abroad for up to 20 days

2 paid volunteering days

Access to LinkedIn Learning

Private Medical Insurance option

Discretionary annual bonus

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in an analytical role within consumer credit.
• Proficiency in SAS, Python, or SQL (Advanced level required).
• Experience in scorecard cut-off setting and decline rule optimisation.

Responsibilities

• Develop expert understanding of the customer management lifecycle.
• Investigate and develop new data sources for analysis.
• Drive the optimisation of lending decisions through test and learn initiatives.

Skills

Analytical skills

Experience with consumer credit

SAS

Python

SQL

Tools

Decisioning systems

Job description

The Vacancy

Lead Credit Risk Analyst, Cards

Contract Type: Permanent / Full-time

Location: Bradford, London or Petersfield. Occasional travel to other offices may be required.

Working Pattern: Hybrid-typically a couple of days a week in the office. Flexible arrangements are considered to support work-life balance. A fear of losing your current working flexibility shouldn't hinder you from applying for new opportunities, which is why we aim to match your existing flexible working arrangements where possible.

What We Offer

• Holidays: 25 days, increasing to 30 days with service

• Pension: Up to 10% employer contribution

• Family Leave: Enhanced maternity (post-probation) and 4 weeks paternity leave

• Workations: Work abroad for up to 20 days a year (approved countries)

• Volunteering: 2 paid days to support a charity of your choice

• Learning & Development: Access to LinkedIn Learning for all colleagues

• Financial Wellbeing: Free Snoop Premium subscription

• Connection & Culture: Quarterly socials, in-person and virtual company updates

• Healthcare: Option to join Private Medical Insurance

• Bonus: Discretionary annual bonus

The Role

As a Lead Credit Risk Analyst, you'll play a key role in shaping the future of our consumer credit within our unsecured portfolio-including loans and credit cards. Reporting directly to the Credit Risk Strategy Manager, you'll be at the forefront of decision optimisation, using data-driven insights to fine-tune our lending strategies.

You'll lead test-and-learn initiatives to evaluate and refine credit strategies, using data-driven insights to identify the most effective approaches. By closely monitoring performance and tracking key outcomes, you'll ensure our lending decisions remain precise, responsible, and aligned with business goals-continually enhancing our credit risk framework.

As a Lead Credit Risk Analyst, you will:

• Develop expert understanding of the customer management lifecycle, including all aspects of decisioning and customer touch points
• Investigation and development of new data sources to be used for analysis and decisioning
• Support business growth and portfolio profitability while ensuring a balance between risk, reward and responsible lending, and controlling credit quality and performance
• Drive the optimisation of lending decisions through test and learn initiatives to identify champion strategies
• Ensure lending decisions are accurate and appropriate through close tracking and monitoring
• Perform inquisitive and innovative analysis and provide logical recommendations resulting in customer and /or business benefits
• Devise, initiate and deliver complex analytical/data driven projects fully incorporating Customer and business implications throughout
• Define analytical project phases, success criteria and timescales and drive projects through to implementation, managing the full project from end to end
• Oversee and peer-review team changes, mentor Analysts/Senior Analysts, direct daily work without formal management duties
• Deputise for manager as and when required

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years' experience in an analytical role within consumer credit, exposure to Cards and Loans is essential
• Proficiency in SAS, Python, or SQL (Advanced level required)
• Extensive experience with decisioning systems and strategy optimisation
• Strong background in Credit Analytics
• Proven experience in scorecard cut-off setting and decline rule optimisation
• The ability to leverage data to drive informed decision-making and shape business strategy

Offers are subject to satisfactory background checks, including credit, fraud, and employment references.

Who we are

At Vanquis, we have a simple purpose: to deliver caring banking so our customers can make the most of life's opportunities. Established in 1880, we're now a FTSE All Share company and leading specialist bank. We lend responsibly, providing tailored products and services to over 1.69 million UK customers. We see ourselves as the bank that's got your back.

Vanquis has been named one of the Financial Times UK's Best Employers 2025, ranking in the top 50 nationwide and seventh in Banking and Financial Services. This recognition is based on independent employee feedback, reflecting our strong workplace culture, career growth opportunities, and commitment to our people.

We take care of our colleagues as well as our customers, working hard to create a rewarding and supportive work environment. That means competitive salaries, benefits, and a Group-wide recognition scheme. Everyone can enrol in our pension and after six months, you can join our 'Buy as You Earn' scheme.

We're about more than financial rewards though. We give everyone a voice in the business and room to be their authentic self. And we know you're here to build your career, so we help every colleague with training and development opportunities. Making sure there's always something new to learn.

Equal Opportunities

Vanquis Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We embrace everyone's unique strengths and identities. No matter your background, identity, or experience, you are welcome here. We believe diversity enriches our teams and helps us better support our customers.

If there's anything we can do to support you during the recruitment process-whether that's a different format of the application or additional assistance-please contact us at [e-mail].

The Company

At Vanquis, we've been empowering lives since 1880. As a FTSE All Share company and leading specialist bank, we lend responsibly to over 1.69 million UK customers.

We're just as committed to our colleagues as we are to our customers, offering competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and recognition schemes. With pension plans, our 'Buy as You Earn' scheme, and ongoing training opportunities, we create a supportive environment where you can grow and thrive.

Bring your authentic self, find your voice, and build your career with us-because at Vanquis, we believe in making the most of life's opportunities.

The Benefits

Competitive base salary and rewards

Private Medical Insurance

25 days holiday entitlement
one day accrued for each year of service (max 30 days)

Defined contribution pension scheme

Discretionary bonus scheme

Perks at Work
A perks platform of over 30,000 unique discounts

Volunteering
2 paid days to support a charity of your choice

Flexible, hybrid, & dynamic working policies

Personal & career development opportunities

Monthly and Quarterly Colleague Socials

Discounted gym membership

BUPA GP Service

Workplace Gallery

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