Head of Underwriting

Mackinnon Bruce International; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mackinnon Bruce International seeks a Senior Manager of Underwriting in Atlanta to own the underwriting lifecycle for complex enterprise merchants. You will bridge global risk standards with MALPB regulatory requirements and lead onboarding for high-value clients.

The role commands deep domain expertise in merchant underwriting, financial analysis, and regulatory frameworks. It requires strategic judgment, executive communication, and readiness to mentor a growing Atlanta underwriting team as

Qualifications

• 5+ years in merchant underwriting with proven ability to assess business models and credit risk exposure.
• Expert-level proficiency in analyzing profit & loss, balance sheets, and cash flow for enterprise customers.
• Strong command of CDD, KYC, and KYB within regulated banking/fintech environments.
• Ability to balance risk and reward with autonomous decision-making that enables growth.
• Exceptional written and interpersonal skills to lead calls and influence senior management.
• Desire to coach and mentor junior staff as the Atlanta underwriting hub scales.
• Demonstrates the company values and operating principles in every action.
• Adopts a customer-first mindset to craft creative merchant solutions and foster cross-team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Own the underwriting lifecycle for complex enterprise applications and high-value merchants.
• Lead onboarding strategy for the bank entity while aligning with global risk standards.
• Represent underwriting in external regulatory calls, audits, and scheme discussions.
• Mitigate risks in high-risk sectors and complex business models.
• Provide oversight over Risk Operations decisions and suggest onboarding improvements.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Sales, Finance, and Legal to drive solutions.
• Incubate talent through targeted training on business models and credit analysis.

Skills

Merchant underwriting

Financial analysis

CDD/KYC/KYB

Executive communication

Strategic judgment

Leadership readiness

Customer first

One-Team culture

Job description

Our client is looking for a Senior Manager of Underwriting, with a background in payments and/or financial analysis, to serve as a cornerstone of their Atlanta risk operations. This is a high-impact, individual contributor role designed for a seasoned expert who thrives on technical complexity and strategic autonomy.

In this dual-faceted position, you will own the underwriting lifecycle of strategic enterprise merchants, navigating complex business models, credit exposure, and scheme rules. Simultaneously, you will serve as the Head of Underwriting for the client's Merchant Acquiring Limited Purpose Bank (MALPB). In this capacity, you will act as the primary bridge between the company's global risk standards and the MALPB's specific regulatory landscape, providing the specialized oversight necessary to scale this entity.

This role offers unique visibility across the core business, requiring close collaboration with Senior Management and key internal partners, including Business Development, Financial Partnerships, Sales, Risk, Compliance, and Legal. While initially focused on high-level execution and the onboarding of enterprise clients, this is a designated leadership track with the clear objective of building and mentoring the Atlanta underwriting team as the company expands.

How You'll Make an Impact

• MALPB Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement the underwriting and onboarding strategy for the client's Merchant Acquiring Limited Purpose Bank, ensuring alignment with local regulatory requirements and global standards.
• Enterprise Decision Authority: Own the underwriting lifecycle for complex enterprise applications, focusing on deep-dive analysis of Business Models, Credit Exposure, and Financial Statements.
• Regulatory & External Representation: Represent Underwriting in high-stakes external calls and meetings with third parties, including the regulator, auditors, and card schemes.
• High-Risk Domain Expertise: Mitigate micro and macro risks for high-value merchants in complex, high-risk sectors such as travel, ticket and events, gambling, and securities.
• Operational Oversight: Exercise ultimate oversight over decisions made by Risk Operations and identify systemic recommendations to improve the merchant onboarding experience.
• Commercial Partnership: Foster a culture of collaboration by partnering with the Commercial team and representing Underwriting in customer calls to drive creative solutions.
• Talent Incubation: High-grade the technical skills of junior team members through training initiatives on business model and credit analysis in line with internal policy.

What We're Looking For

• Sector Authority: 5+ years of deep-domain experience in merchant underwriting, with a proven track record of expert business model assessment and identification of credit risk exposure.
• Financial Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in analyzing profit and loss, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for enterprise customers.
• Regulatory Sophistication: Strong command of Customer Due Diligence (CDD), KYC, and KYB frameworks within a regulated banking or fintech environment.
• Strategic Judgment: A demonstrated ability to balance risk and reward, making sound, autonomous decisions that protect the company while enabling commercial growth.
• Executive Communication: Exceptional written and interpersonal skills with the gravitas to lead customer calls and influence internal senior management.
• Leadership Readiness: A passion for coaching and a desire to transition from an elite individual contributor into a people leader as the Atlanta hub expands.
• Culture Carrier: Leading by example, you will demonstrate the company's core Values and live out its Operating Principles in everything you do.
• Customer First and One-Team Mentality: Adopt a "customer first" mindset to deliver creative solutions for merchants and contribute to cross-team collaboration and building a "One Team" culture.