Credit Risk Expert

Engagement details:

• Job Title: Credit Risk Expert
• Client: Global Cards & Payments Firm
• End-client: Leading Bank
• Employment type: Initial 12-month contract with strong potential for extension
• Location: Onsite in Jeddah,KSA
• Experience level: 12-15 years
• KSA Market Experience is mandatory

Role Overview:

Our client, a global leader in the Cards & Payments industry, is engaged with a leading bank in KSA and is seeking to onboard a Credit Risk Expert. The consultant will lead and strengthen Credit Risk management framework for the Consumer Lending business, with a strong focus on Credit Cards in the Saudi market.

The role is responsible to support team for recommending and implementing robust credit policies, underwriting standards, and risk strategies to support business growth while maintaining portfolio quality, regulatory compliance, and profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

Credit Risk & Policy Management

• Lead the development, review, and implementation of credit risk policies for Consumer Lending, with a primary focus on Credit Cards.
• Ensure policies align with regulatory requirements, business objectives, and market best practices.
• Continuously monitor portfolio performance and recommend policy changes to manage risk effectively.

Underwriting & Credit Decisioning

• Oversee end-to-end underwriting processes, ensuring sound credit assessment and consistent decision making.
• Provide guidance on complex or high-risk credit cases and ensure adherence to approved underwriting frameworks.
• Drive improvements in credit decisioning through analytics, scorecards, and data-driven insights.

Product & Portfolio Management

• Partner with Product, Sales, and Business teams to support the launch and optimisation of Credit Card products from a risk perspective.
• Balance growth and risk by defining eligibility criteria, limits, pricing inputs, and risk-based segmentation.
• Track portfolio trends, delinquency, losses, and profitability, and take proactive corrective actions.

Analytics & Reporting

• Leverage risk analytics to assess portfolio health, customer behaviour, and emerging risks.
• Present actionable insights and recommendations to senior management and cross-functional stakeholders.

Sales & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Develop a strong understanding of Credit Card sales processes to ensure risk frameworks support business growth without compromising credit quality.
• Work closely with Sales, Operations, Compliance, Finance, and Technology teams to ensure seamless execution of credit strategies.

SIMAH & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with SIMAH requirements, products, and reporting processes.
• Act as a subject matter expert on Saudi credit bureau data and its application in underwriting and portfolio management.

People & Stakeholder Management

• Strong implementations focus to drive the expansion of new segments as identified
• Lead, mentor, and develop cards product team, credit risk teams, fostering a strong performance and riskaware culture.
• Build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders through strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum 12–15 years of experience in Credit Risk within Consumer Lending, preferably in Credit Cards.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in the Saudi Credit Cards market.
• Proven experience in Credit Policy, Product Management, Underwriting, and Risk Analytics.
• Prior experience managing teams and working with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of Credit Card business models, sales processes, and consumer risk management.
• In-depth knowledge of SIMAH products, reports, and processes.
• Solid analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable risk strategies.
• Results-driven mindset with the ability to perform in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• High adaptability and agility to respond quickly to market, regulatory, or business changes.