Lead Credit Risk Manager

Placements24; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical aid

Generous pension fund

Professional training and development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly accomplished Lead Credit Risk Manager to oversee and strengthen the credit risk framework in Queenstown. This senior role requires extensive experience in credit risk assessment, portfolio management, and regulatory compliance, with leadership of a dedicated team.

You will design risk models and ensure governance while collaborating across business units to balance risk and reward in lending activities.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Finance, Economics, Statistics, or related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of experience in credit risk management in banking or financial institutions.
• Expertise in credit analysis, loan portfolio management, and risk modeling.
• Knowledge of Basel Accords and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven leadership and talent development.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills; proficient in SAS/R and Excel.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinking and proactive risk management.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Experience in Eastern Cape or similar markets is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain credit risk policies and procedures.
• Lead and mentor a team of credit risk analysts.
• Assess borrower creditworthiness and risk in applications.
• Monitor credit quality of loan portfolio and mitigate deterioration.
• Design and implement credit risk models and stress testing.
• Ensure compliance with local and international banking regulations.
• Prepare and present credit risk reports to management, board, and regulators.
• Collaborate with business units to balance risk and reward in lending.
• Stay informed on industry risks and regulatory changes.
• Manage relationships with rating agencies and auditors.
• Champion a strong risk culture.

Skills

Credit risk assessment

Portfolio management

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Quantitative analysis

SAS/R

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Finance

Tools

SAS

R

Excel

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly accomplished and strategic Lead Credit Risk Manager to oversee and strengthen their credit risk management framework in Queenstown, Eastern Cape . This senior position is critical for ensuring the financial stability and robust performance of the organization by proactively identifying, assessing, and mitigating credit exposures. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in credit risk assessment, portfolio management, and regulatory compliance within the financial services industry. You will lead a dedicated team, driving best practices and innovative strategies to safeguard the company's assets and reputation. This role demands exceptional leadership qualities, a deep understanding of financial markets, and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of risk governance. The opportunity to shape and lead critical risk functions in a significant regional hub like Queenstown makes this a truly impactful position.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain the organization's credit risk policies and procedures.
• Lead and mentor a team of credit risk analysts and specialists, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Conduct thorough analysis of credit applications, assessing borrower creditworthiness and risk.
• Monitor the credit quality of the loan portfolio, identifying potential deteriorations and developing mitigation strategies.
• Design and implement credit risk models and stress testing frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant local and international banking regulations and guidelines.
• Prepare and present comprehensive credit risk reports to senior management, the board of directors, and regulatory bodies.
• Collaborate with business units to ensure effective risk-reward balance in lending activities.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices, emerging risks, and regulatory changes in credit risk management.
• Manage relationships with external rating agencies and auditors on credit risk matters.
• Champion a strong risk culture throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Finance, Economics, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in credit risk management, preferably within a banking or financial institution.
• Demonstrated expertise in credit analysis, loan portfolio management, and risk modeling.
• Strong knowledge of Basel Accords and other relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, with a track record of developing talent.
• Advanced analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SAS, R) and advanced Excel.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinking and a proactive approach to risk management.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience within the Eastern Cape or similar regional financial markets is highly desirable.

Benefits

This role offers a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, commensurate with experience and expertise. Our client provides a comprehensive benefits package including private medical aid, a generous pension fund, and opportunities for advanced professional training and development. You will be part of a stable and reputable financial institution with a strong commitment to employee well-being and career advancement. The role is based in Queenstown , offering a chance to lead critical functions in a key regional economic center. Enjoy a supportive work environment and the chance to make a significant impact on the company's risk profile.