Credit Strategy Director, Home Improvement

LendingClub; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision plans

401(k) match

Health and wellness programs

Flexible time off (salaried employees)

Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave

Job summary

Happen Bank is seeking an experienced leader to own credit risk management and pricing for its Home Improvement lending segment. You will shape policies, pricing models, and risk controls, partnering with Product, Engineering and Data Science to scale responsibly.

You will drive predictive modeling, experimentation, and explainable AI use, ensuring strong risk-adjusted returns while maintaining regulatory compliance and robust governance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in financial services, credit risk management, pricing or lending strategy.
• Deep domain expertise in unsecured lending, preferably POS lending or credit cards.
• Proven track record in credit policy development, underwriting strategy, pricing optimization, risk segmentation, loss forecasting, and portfolio analytics.
• Able to translate credit and pricing strategy into business requirements, testing plans and production implementation.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, able to translate complex topics for stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented with strategic mindset and focus on measurable business results.
• Advanced degree in Statistics, Finance, Economics or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own credit risk management and pricing strategy for the Home Improvement lending segment.
• Develop and refine credit policies, underwriting criteria, exposure limits, segmentation and pricing models.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to shape annual operating and strategic plans.
• Drive loan issuance that delivers durable risk-adjusted returns for investors and held-for-investment assets.
• Lead development of predictive models, grading systems and experimentation to optimize risk-return.
• Use AI/ML tools to sharpen credit performance analysis and surface optimization opportunities.
• Implement credit strategy changes with rigorous testing and robust controls.
• Maintain credit policy documents and SOPs in line with bank and regulatory standards.
• Partner with Product, Business, Engineering and Data Science to drive innovation.
• Build monitoring systems and early warning mechanisms for risk management.
• Direct accurate credit risk reporting for committees and regulators.
• Coach and mentor junior team members to strengthen analytical rigor.

Skills

SQL

Python

Tableau

Credit risk analytics

ML for consumer credit

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

About the Role

This role leads credit strategy and pricing for Happen Bank's Home Improvement lending segment, a key unsecured Point of Sale business within Consumer Banking. It's responsible for shaping how the bank underwrites, prices, and manages risk in this segment, balancing growth with disciplined, risk-adjusted returns. The work spans policy, analytics, and cross-functional partnership, with direct influence on how the business scales responsibly.

What You'll Do

• Own credit risk management and pricing strategy for the Home Improvement lending segment
• Develop and refine credit policies, underwriting criteria, exposure limits, segmentation, and pricing models, including vintage loss forecasting and valuations
• Partner with cross-functional teams to shape annual operating and strategic plans
• Drive loan issuance that delivers durable risk-adjusted returns for marketplace investors and held-for-investment assets, in line with business plan and risk appetite
• Lead development of predictive models, grading systems, and experimentation to compete along an optimal risk-return frontier
• Use AI-driven tools and techniques to sharpen credit performance analysis, surface optimization opportunities, and streamline workflows, while setting a high bar for responsible, explainable use
• Implement credit strategy changes with rigorous testing and strong preventive and detective controls
• Maintain credit policy documentation and standard operating procedures in line with bank and regulatory standards
• Partner with Product, Business, Engineering, and Data Science to drive innovation and new product development
• Build monitoring systems and early warning mechanisms to manage credit and operational risk
• Direct accurate, timely credit risk reporting for Credit Committee, Board, and regulatory needs
• Coach and mentor junior team members, strengthening analytical rigor and execution across the team

About You

• 10+ years of experience in financial services, credit risk management, pricing, portfolio analytics, or lending strategy; bachelor's degree or higher, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Deep domain expertise in unsecured lending, preferably point of sale lending or credit cards, with strong understanding of commercial value drivers
• Proven track record in credit policy development, underwriting strategy, pricing optimization, risk segmentation, loss forecasting, and portfolio analytics
• Skilled in translating credit and pricing strategy into business requirements, testing plans, controls, and production implementation
• Proficient in SQL, Python, and Tableau, with strong familiarity with advanced analytics and credit/ML models for consumer credit products
• You understand how AI and ML models interact with credit risk decision-making, including their limitations and regulatory implications, and know when a model should inform a decision versus drive it
• You set a high bar for responsible AI use in high-stakes work, with attention to data integrity, model limitations, and compliance, and you're building new workflows rather than just using existing ones
• Strong communicator and collaborator who can translate complex credit and analytical topics for a range of stakeholders
• Detail-oriented with sound judgment, a strategic mindset, and a consistent focus on measurable business results

Nice to Have

• Advanced degree in Statistics, Finance, Economics, or a related quantitative field
• Experience mentoring or developing analytical talent in a credit or risk function

Work Location

San Francisco

The above locations are eligible offices for this role. The locations have been determined to foster in-person collaboration with this role’s team or the related business lines. We utilize a hybrid work model, and our teams are in-office Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. In-person attendance is essential for this role’s success, and remote placement will not be considered. Happen Bank offers relocation, based on actual job level.

Time Zone Requirements

Local hours (PT) While the position will primarily work local hours, Happen Bank is headquartered in Pacific Time and our ideal candidate will be flexible working across time zones when necessary.

Travel Requirements

As needed travel to Happen Bank offices and/or other locations, as needed.

Compensation

The target base salary range for this position is 175,000-205,000. The base salary of the role will be determined by job-related knowledge, experience, education, skills, and location. Base salary is just one part of Happen Bank's Total Rewards package.

You may also be eligible for long-term awards (equity) and an annual bonus (which is based on company performance, employee performance and eligible earnings).

We’re creating new financial services solutions for our members based on fairness, simplicity, and heart, and we treat our employees the same way. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision plans for employees and their families, 401(k) match, health and wellness programs, flexible time off policies for salaried employees, up to 16 weeks paid parental leave and more. #LI-Hybrid #LI-GB1

Happen Bank is an equal opportunity employer and dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We believe that a variety of perspectives will make our teams and business stronger as we work together to transform the traditional banking system. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at [e-mail].

Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub) is built around a simple purpose: to clear the way to help people turn intention into action, and action into financial progress. That means offering focused products, a frictionless mobile-first experience, and clear terms with no gotchas. Respect and fairness is part of our DNA, and that ideal shapes how we work, how we treat each other, and how we invest in our employees and our community. Join us in using data, bold thinking, and a commitment to innovation to help clear the way for millions of Americans to achieve more.

To learn more visit us at happen.com