Director, Head of Credit Risk, US Merchant Bank, Riyadh

Director, Head of Credit Risk, US Merchant Bank, Riyadh

Our client is a US merchant bank comprised of private markets asset management, business consulting services, and technology development and solutions. Reporting to the regional CEO, this will be a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the entire credit risk management function within an organization, including identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential credit risks across loan portfolios, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and developing strategies to optimize risk-reward balance while maintaining the health of the credit portfolio. This involves leading a team of credit risk analysts, developing credit policies, and communicating risk insights to senior management.

Responsibilities:

Credit Risk Strategy Development:

• Design and implement comprehensive credit risk management strategies, including credit policies, underwriting guidelines, and risk appetite frameworks.
• Continuously monitor credit portfolio performance, identifying trends and potential risks, and taking corrective actions as needed.
• Conduct thorough credit risk assessments on potential borrowers using various analytical tools and methodologies.
• Develop and maintain accurate credit loss forecasting models to assess potential credit losses and inform capital allocation decisions.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to all relevant credit risk regulations and reporting requirements.
• Manage and develop a high-performing credit risk team, including training and coaching analysts on best practices.

Stakeholder Communication:

• Communicate credit risk information effectively to senior management, business partners, and other stakeholders.

Innovation and Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to enhance credit risk management practices through technology adoption and data analytics.

Requirements:

• Deep understanding of credit risk management principles, including credit scoring, underwriting, and portfolio analysis is fundamental.
• Extensive experience in financial services, preferably in lending or credit risk management, with a focus on the Middle East.
• Proven leadership and team management capabilities.
• Knowledge of relevant local regulatory requirements and compliance standards are a plus.
• Advanced degree in finance, economics, or a related field.