Senior Credit Risk Manager, Student Loan

Earnest Current Job Openings; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 186,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Credit Risk Manager to lead credit strategy development for student loans. In this pivotal role, you will optimize underwriting processes, collaborate with data science teams to innovate risk models, and ensure compliance with regulations. This position offers the chance to make a significant impact on the financial futures of students while working in a supportive and dynamic environment. If you are passionate about financial services and have a track record of delivering results through collaboration and strategic influence, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Health, Dental, & Vision benefits

Mac computers + work-from-home stipend

Monthly internet and phone reimbursement

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

401(k) plan with company match

Robust tuition reimbursement program

$1,000 travel perk on Earnie-versary

Competitive days of annual PTO

Competitive parental leave

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in credit strategy development for loans.
• Strong analytical skills with expertise in SQL and Python.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize credit strategies to drive business growth.
• Collaborate with Data Science team to develop risk models.

Skills

Analytical Skills

SQL

Python

Risk Analytics

Statistical Modeling

Collaboration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced Degree in Quantitative Field

Tools

Looker

Tableau

Job description

Senior Credit Risk Manager, Student Loan

Our mission is to make higher education accessible and affordable for everyone. We empower students with financial support and supercharge their ability to pay down their debt, so they can get on the right financial track, fast.

We build tools that help people feel in control of their financial future, including:

• Private student loans - low rates, people-first service, and flexible payments.
• Student loan refinancing - break free from high-interest rates or monthly payments.
• Scholarships - access to thousands of scholarships to help students pay less.

Earnies are committed to helping students live their best lives, free from the stress of student debt. If you’re as passionate as we are about our mission, read more below, and let’s build something great together!

The Senior Credit Risk Manager, Student Loans will report to the Head of Credit Risk.

As the Senior Credit Risk Manager, Student Loans, you will:

• Develop and optimize credit strategies for pre-screening, underwriting, risk tiering, loan amount assignment, and verifications to drive business growth while managing risk.
• Lead champion-challenger testing to optimize underwriting strategies.
• Collaborate with Data Science team to develop new machine-learning risk models.
• Monitor credit portfolio performance and identify areas for improvement, ensuring continuous enhancement and optimization.
• Work cross-functionally with Business, Capital Markets, Marketing, Product, Engineering, and Finance teams to implement strategies that align with Earnest’s risk appetite and business goals.
• Manage regulatory and audit compliance by providing analytical support for internal audits and regulatory reviews.
• Lead, support, and develop junior team members while managing multiple projects.

About You:

• 7+ years of experience developing data-driven credit strategies for loans or credit cards, leveraging risk models, rules, and multiple data sources.
• At least 1 year of experience in leading and mentoring team members.
• Strong analytical skills with expertise in SQL and Python for data analysis.
• Experience in risk analytics, segmentation, and statistical modeling (decision trees, gradient boosting models).
• Proven ability to deliver business results through ownership, collaboration, and strategic influence.
• Experience with Business Intelligence tools such as Looker or Tableau.
• Strong knowledge of credit risk management within lending products, including P&L impact evaluation.
• Willingness to travel to the Oakland office monthly to collaborate with other Earnies.

Even Better:

• Experience in student loan products.
• Knowledge of applicable lending industry regulations.
• Familiarity with machine learning techniques applied to credit risk models.
• Experience working with Capital Markets, FP&A, or external rating agencies.
• Advanced degree in a quantitative field (Math, Statistics, Engineering, Finance, Economics).

Where:

• This role will be based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• While you’ll enjoy the flexibility of remote work, we also love to see our Earnies face-to-face! We ask you to join us at our Oakland office for 3 consecutive days a month for team collaboration and some fun. It's a chance to connect, share ideas, and maybe even grab some coffee together!

A little about our pay philosophy: We take pride in compensating our employees fairly and equitably. We are showcasing a range of your potential base salary based on the role's location. The successful candidate’s starting pay will also be determined based on job-related qualifications, internal compensation, candidate location, and budget. This range may be modified in the future.

Pay Range:

$186,000 - $211,000 USD

Earnest believes in enabling our employees to live their best lives. We offer a variety of perks and competitive benefits, including:

• Health, Dental, & Vision benefits plus savings plans
• Mac computers + work-from-home stipend to set up your home office
• Monthly internet and phone reimbursement
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
• 401(k) plan to help you save for retirement plus a company match
• Robust tuition reimbursement program
• $1,000 travel perk on each Earnie-versary to anywhere in the world
• Competitive days of annual PTO
• Competitive parental leave

What makes an “Earnie” culture:

• Drivers – Drivers are satisfied by making things happen, not coming along for the ride. They feel a strong sense of ownership for their projects and teams and demand high standards from themselves and others.
• Humility – Humble team players check their egos and consider the team’s needs above their own. They are self-aware of their strengths and opportunities for improvement.
• Growth Mindset – People with a growth mindset approach challenges and failures as learning opportunities. They seek feedback to improve, give feedback to others, and genuinely want to perform well.

At Earnest, we are committed to building an environment where our employees feel included, valued, and heard. Our belief is that a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging enables us to move forward with our mission. We are dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team and encourage anyone to apply if your experience is close to what we are looking for.

Earnest provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or genetics. Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for the position in a manner consistent with the Fair Chance Ordinance.

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