Head Of Operational Risk

23F7621A-16F9-4E0B-A5B0-824766607536; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A growing fintech company based in Cape Town is seeking a Head of Operational Risk & Underwriting. This full-time, hybrid role involves leading underwriting, managing operational workflows, and developing a robust operational risk framework. Ideal candidates have strong analytical skills and experience in lending operations. BizMula offers career growth opportunities and competitive remuneration, as well as the chance to make a meaningful impact on SME finance in South Africa.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

Career growth opportunities

Collaborative team culture

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Business Continuity and Business Continuity Planning.
• In-depth knowledge of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM).
• Experience in underwriting, operational risk, or lending operations is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting & verification for SME Advance applications.
• Manage operational workflows and team performance.
• Ensure compliance with internal risk policies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Financial interpretation

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Risk Management, Business

Job description

Head of Operational Risk & Underwriting – BizMula (Pty) Ltd — Cape Town | Hybrid | Fintech SME Funding

Why Join Us?

BizMula is a fast-growing fintech backed by a global group, offering exceptional career growth, cross‑functional exposure, and the opportunity to shape SME finance and financial inclusion in South Africa.

Join a company where innovation, impact, and professional development truly matter.

Role Description

BizMula is seeking a finance‑oriented, analytical leader to head our Underwriting and Operations function. You will oversee the full underwriting lifecycle, operational workflows, compliance structures, automation initiatives, and early‑delinquency monitoring within our SME products.

This role is ideal for someone with strong financial / risk‑analysis skills, underwriting or lending‑operations experience, and the ability to lead a high‑performance team in a dynamic fintech environment. This is a full‑time, hybrid position based in Cape Town.

You will design, implement, and manage a robust operational‑risk framework while coordinating enterprise risk practices across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting & verification for SME Advance applications
• Analyse bank statements, turnover behaviour, expenses & affordability
• Refine underwriting rules, cut‑offs, scorecards & income calculations
• Collaborate closely with Global HQ Risk, Collections & Finance
• Manage operational workflows, SLAs, capacity planning & team performance
• Drive automation, smarter processes & system improvements
• Ensure compliance with POPIA, AML / FICA & internal risk policies
• Conduct QA checks & oversee corrective actions
• Partner with Collections, Sales, Finance & IT / Dev teams
• Produce daily / weekly / monthly pipeline, risk & portfolio‑health reporting

Qualifications & Experience

• Proficiency in Business Continuity and Business Continuity Planning
• In‑depth knowledge of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and its application in organisational processes
• Strong analytical and financial‑interpretation skills
• Experience in underwriting, operational risk, or lending operations (advantageous)
• Understanding of finance concepts relevant to risk management
• Proven leadership and strategic decision‑making ability
• Excellent communication and cross‑team collaboration skills
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Risk Management, Business, or similar (advantageous)
• Certifications such as CRM or similar (beneficial)
• Prior experience in financial‑services or fintech operational risk (advantageous)

What We Offer

• A highly impactful role within a strong international fintech group
• Supportive, collaborative team culture
• Competitive remuneration package
• Career‑growth and professional‑development opportunities
• The chance to drive real change in the South African SME economy

Interested?

Apply now to join our dynamic team and shape the future of SME finance in South Africa.