Head of Credit & Model Risk Oversight (Secured Lending)

Job Title: Head of Credit & Model Risk Oversight (Secured Lending)

Location: London

Salary Details : £100K - £120K + full banking benefits

Contract Type/ Hours: Permanent

Job Description:

Our client, a Top 25 UK Financial Services employer, is seeking an experienced 2LoD leader to drive independent credit and model risk oversight across their growing secured lending portfolio. This is a pivotal role providing second line leadership and strategic oversight as the business scales its SME and commercial lending propositions. You'll bring expert judgement, curiosity and collaboration to shape robust risk frameworks while supporting commercial growth.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Provide independent oversight of secured lending products across SME and commercial portfolios
2. Develop and maintain proportionate credit and model risk frameworks that support business growth
3. Lead regulatory engagement with the PRA on credit and model risk matters
4. Partner with Product, Lending, Finance and first line Risk teams on new propositions and product evolution
5. Present complex risk matters to Board and Executive committees with clarity and influence
6. Oversee risk management framework effectiveness and stakeholder engagement
7. Foster a proactive risk-aware culture across the organization
8. Balance commercial objectives with sound risk management for sustainable customer outcomes

Essential Technical Skills:

1. Deep credit risk management expertise in retail banking
2. Proven experience across SME lending, commercial secured lending and real estate finance
3. Strong working knowledge of IFRS 9 and Basel framework requirements for secured and SME portfolios
4. Model risk management expertise
5. Technical proficiency in credit risk frameworks, policies and monitoring
6. Track record of developing and implementing model risk management frameworks
7. Experience engaging with regulatory bodies on complex risk matters
8. Demonstrated ability to present technical risk content to senior stakeholders
9. Previous experience operating independently at 'Head of' level in a 2LoD role
10. Experience building or scaling Credit Risk or Model Risk functions
11. Knowledge of model development techniques and programming languages (e.g. Python)

Key Personal Attributes:

1. Strong judgement and intellectual curiosity
2. Collaborative approach with ability to provide constructive challenge
3. Pragmatic problem-solving mindset
4. Confident in expertise while remaining respectful and open to different perspectives
5. Driven by delivering right outcomes for customers and the business
6. SMCR: Certified Function under SMCR Certification Regime

Contact

If you feel that this opportunity could be of interest for you, or you would like to recommend one of your contacts, then please contact Allison Gillson at the PSD Group. PSD are an international recruitment services company headquartered in the UK and a successful track record of placing mid to senior level executives across technology and professional employment markets in Europe and Asia, for thirty years.

Please contact by phone +442079709704 or email [email protected]