Head of Credit Risk Assessment

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus program

Comprehensive medical aid

Retirement annuity

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a Head of Credit Risk Assessment to lead a credit risk function on-site. You will develop robust policies, oversee the entire assessment process, and manage a team of analysts in a dynamic banking environment.

The ideal candidate has a master's degree, 10+ years in credit risk, CFA/FRM preferred, and a proven track record in regulatory compliance and portfolio management.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting or related field.
• At least 10 years of progressive credit risk management experience.
• Strong knowledge of credit analysis, financial modeling and risk assessment.
• Proven leadership experience managing a team of credit professionals.
• Deep understanding of banking regulations and compliance related to credit risk.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking and decision-making abilities.
• Strong communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with credit risk software and reporting tools.
• Experience in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal or similar industrial/port environments (advantage).
• Professional certifications such as CFA or FRM preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and enforce credit risk policies and procedures.
• Lead and manage the credit risk assessment team with training and performance management.
• Analyze credit applications, financial statements and market data for clients.
• Set and monitor credit limits and exposure across customer segments.
• Review the credit portfolio regularly and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with credit risk regulations and internal guidelines.
• Collaborate with business development, legal and operations on credit matters.
• Report credit risk exposure, portfolio quality and key risk indicators to senior management.
• Stay updated on industry best practices and trends in credit risk management.

Skills

Credit risk management

Financial analysis

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Decision making

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Finance/Economics/Accounting

CFA/FRM preferred

Tools

Credit risk software

Reporting tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a highly experienced and authoritative Head of Credit Risk Assessment to lead their credit risk function in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. This is a critical, on-site role responsible for developing and implementing robust credit risk policies and procedures that underpin the organization's lending activities. You will be tasked with overseeing the entire credit assessment process, managing a team of credit analysts, and ensuring the portfolio remains within acceptable risk parameters. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of credit risk methodologies, financial statement analysis, and regulatory compliance within the banking sector. This is a leadership position requiring strong decision-making abilities and a proven track record in managing credit portfolios.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and enforce comprehensive credit risk assessment policies and procedures.
• Lead and manage the credit risk assessment team, providing guidance, training, and performance management.
• Oversee the analysis of credit applications, financial statements, and market data for new and existing clients.
• Set and monitor credit limits and exposure levels across various customer segments.
• Conduct regular reviews of the credit portfolio, identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant credit risk regulations and internal guidelines.
• Collaborate with business development, legal, and operations departments on credit-related matters.
• Report on credit risk exposure, portfolio quality, and key risk indicators to senior management.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and emerging trends in credit risk management.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in credit risk management within the financial services industry.
• Extensive knowledge of credit analysis, financial modeling, and risk assessment techniques.
• Proven experience in leading and managing a team of credit professionals.
• Deep understanding of banking regulations and compliance requirements related to credit risk.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and decision-making capabilities.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in credit risk management software and reporting tools.
• Experience in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal or similar industrial/port environments is an advantage.
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CFA, FRM) are preferred.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive executive salary, commensurate with the seniority of the role, along with a substantial performance-based bonus structure and other executive benefits.
• Comprehensive medical aid.
• Generous retirement annuity.
• Relocation assistance if required.

The company provides a challenging and rewarding work environment with significant opportunities for professional growth and leadership development. This role is based in the vibrant coastal city of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.