Head of Credit

If you an experienced credit risk professional with proven leadership experience having worked in an FCA regulated retail environment and you're ready for a new challenge, then please continue reading.......

We have been instructed to work on behalf of one of our key clients with the appointment of a Head of Credit, which is a certified position under the Senior Management Certified Regime (SMCR).

The role will sit within the first line, responsible for taking a strategic collaborative and proactive approach to managing the Credit Risk team and supporting other areas of the business on risk related subjects such as Lending policies and pricing calculations.

Key activities/responsibilities:

Manage, develop and motivating the Credit Risk team is an essential part of your responsibilities
Working with Finance to deliver risk forecasts for both wholesale and retail activities with evidence
Ensure both the retail and wholesale Cost of Risk is calculated in line with internal Methodology respecting IFRS9 standards
Support and challenge all Operational areas by ensuring the Risk team provide accurate and timely data
Liaise with Marketing and the new channels expansion team to validate the risk assumptions on products and packages (both credit risk and asset risk)
Attend all Credit Risk related committees actively providing commentary and evidence
Provide analysis to auditors as and when required
Comply with relevant legislation at all times and guidance from the Regulators (FCA, PRA, ECB)
Month end – update all the closure reports including the IFRS9 process and produce analysis in order to meet the deadlines and guide the management decisions in an efficient way
Data quality – ensure the data quality behind the reporting produced. Share openly the data quality issues in analysis, raise Jiras (defects, job requests etc.) and establish priority levels whilst working towards resolution with the IS team
Own the ECL forecast process ensuring that the proposed figures are accurate and based on agreed measures. Guarantee that the appropriate approval process is respected
Ad-hoc analysis – update existing reports or create new ones in order to answer ad-hoc request in the most efficient and accurate way possible
Prepare and deliver presentations around credit risk, including regular visios and ad-hoc meeting
Ensure procedures and IFRS9 back testing documents are updated where required
Develop the team through effective training needs assessments supporting maturity of the Credit team
Liaise with stakeholders including the 2nd line of defense locally and centrally covering a variety of topics both on an ad-hoc or ongoing basis, using your expertise to fulfil information requests, reconciliation exercises or reporting needs where necessary

Required knowledge & skills:

Experience in managing a team with a transversal working ethic and effective leadership skills
Strong communication skills with ability to present and communicate ideas, issues and solutions to a wide range of stakeholders, ranging from advisors to the Board
Excellent analytical, prioritisation and organisational skills
Good interpersonal skills – ability to build relationships at all levels
Able to work independently, using own initiative with a logical and methodical approach
Proficient in maintaining accuracy with meticulous attention to detail
High level of commercial awareness and understanding of strategic direction of company and potential market and economic impacts on risk
Highly numerate preferably with good degree in Mathematics or Statistics
Ability to learn new reporting tools to a high standard
Expert level of Excel; preferably have knowledge of data management and visulisation tools such as Alteryx or Power BI
Experience in the application of models, including new production, portfolio risk segmentation, IFRS9 and Collection to name a few.

This is a hybrid role with highly competitive benefits.