About the role
Introduction
A leading name in the South African retail financial services sector is seeking an experienced Credit Risk professional to lead their Existing Customer Management strategy. Known for innovation and a strong customer-first culture, this organisation combines data-driven decisioning with a commitment to responsible lending. Based in Cape Town, you will join a high-calibre analytics team where your strategic thinking and leadership will directly shape the credit risk landscape.
Role Responsibilities
As the Principal Lead for Credit Risk, you will own the ECM Credit Risk strategy, partnering with the Head of Credit Risk to define, optimise and execute across the full customer lifecycle. You will lead a team of Credit Risk analysts, driving analytically-driven strategies that unlock value from enterprise data assets. This is a senior-level role with direct influence over decisioning frameworks, limit management, affordability assessments, and card authorisation strategies.
Define, optimise and implement the ECM Credit Risk strategy across decisioning, credit limit management, affordability risk, card overlimit authorisations, and credit card re-issue processes
Develop and maintain world-class analytically-driven strategies to optimise risk performance, leveraging statistical and modelling techniques
Act as a representative in cross-functional forums, weekly and monthly meetings, and enterprise project initiatives
Collaborate with stakeholders across the business to ensure strategy alignment and effective execution
Generate ideas and offer unique perspectives to optimise complex processes, systems and disciplines within Credit Risk management
Lead, manage and develop a team of Credit Risk analysts, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and intellectual curiosity
Experience Requirements
5+ years Credit Risk related experience in a Senior Analytical Role
Proven strategy development and implementation experience using credit scores, bureau scores and segmentation analytics on consumer portfolios
At least 5 years analytical experience on a consumer portfolio (credit cards, private label/retail cards, loans) in either Credit Risk or Collections strategies
Experience working in an outsourced environment and effectively implementing solutions using internal and external resources
Experience in data cleaning, manipulation, and analysing large datasets using SAS, SQL, or AWS Cloud Analytical Tools
Formal team management and leadership experience in an analytical context
High proficiency in structured language analytical software (SAS, SQL, AWS)
High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
Knowledge of financial services in a strongly regulated environment for a multi-product, multi-stakeholder organisation
Knowledge and application of credit scoring and risk management techniques across the entire credit life cycle on consumer portfolios
Proven ability in analytics, business acumen and presenting recommendations across all organisation levels
Education Requirements
Minimum: Bachelor's degree (3 years) in Quantitative Risk Management, Mathematics, Statistics, Finance, Economics, or Econometrics
Preferred: Postgraduate degree in a quantitative discipline