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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data-driven credit risk strategies and optimise lending decisions.
- Company: Join Vanquis, a leading specialist bank with a strong workplace culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25-30 days holiday, hybrid work, and workations abroad.
- Why this job: Shape the future of consumer credit while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in credit analytics; proficiency in SAS, Python, or SQL required.
- Other info: Diversity is celebrated; everyone’s unique strengths are valued.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent | Full-time
Location: Bradford, London, Chatham or Petersfield. Occasional travel to other offices may be required.
Working Pattern: Hybrid—typically a couple of days a week in the office. Flexible arrangements are considered to support work-life balance.
What We Offer
- Holidays: 25 days, increasing to 30 days with service
- Pension: Up to 10% employer contribution
- Family Leave: Enhanced maternity (post-probation) and 4 weeks paternity leave
- Workations: Work abroad for up to 20 days a year (approved countries)
- Volunteering: 2 paid days to support a charity of your choice
- Learning & Development: Access to LinkedIn Learning for all colleagues
- Financial Wellbeing: Free Snoop Premium subscription
- Connection & Culture: Quarterly socials, in-person and virtual company updates
- Healthcare: Option to join Private Medical Insurance
- Bonus: Discretionary annual bonus
The Role
As a Lead Credit Risk Analyst, you’ll play a key role in shaping the future of our consumer credit portfolio—including loans, credit cards, and vehicle finance. Reporting directly to the Credit Risk Strategy Manager, you’ll be at the forefront of decision optimisation, using data-driven insights to fine-tune our lending strategies.
You’ll lead test-and-learn initiatives to evaluate and refine credit strategies, using data-driven insights to identify the most effective approaches. By closely monitoring performance and tracking key outcomes, you’ll ensure our lending decisions remain precise, responsible, and aligned with business goals—continually enhancing our credit risk framework.
As a Lead Credit Risk Analyst, you will:
- Develop expert understanding of new business originations, including all aspects of decisioning and customer touch points
- Investigation and development of new data sources to be used for analysis and decisioning
- Support business growth and portfolio profitability while ensuring a balance between risk, reward and responsible lending, and controlling credit quality and performance
- Drive the optimisation of lending decisions through test and learn initiatives to identify champion strategies
- Ensure lending decisions are accurate and appropriate through close tracking and monitoring
- Perform inquisitive and innovative analysis and provide logical recommendations resulting in customer and/or business benefits
- Devise, initiate and deliver complex analytical/data driven projects fully incorporating Customer and business implications throughout
- Define analytical project phases, success criteria and timescales and drive projects through to implementation, managing the full project from end to end
- Oversee and peer-review team changes, mentor Analysts/Senior Analysts, direct daily work without formal management duties
- Deputise for manager as and when required
What We’re Looking For
- 5+ years' experience in an analytical role within consumer credit, exposure to vehicle finance is a strong advantage.
- Proficiency in SAS, Python, or SQL (Advanced level required)
- Extensive experience with decisioning systems and strategy optimisation
- Strong background in Credit Analytics
- Proven experience in scorecard cut-off setting and decline rule optimisation
- The ability to leverage data to drive informed decision-making and shape business strategy
Offers are subject to satisfactory background checks, including credit, fraud, and employment references.
Who we are
At Vanquis, we have a simple purpose: to deliver caring banking so our customers can make the most of life's opportunities. Established in 1880, we’re now a FTSE All Share company and leading specialist bank. We lend responsibly, providing tailored products and services to over 1.69 million UK customers.
Vanquis has been named one of the Financial Times UK’s Best Employers 2025, ranking in the top 50 nationwide and seventh in Banking and Financial Services. This recognition is based on independent employee feedback, reflecting our strong workplace culture, career growth opportunities, and commitment to our people.
We take care of our colleagues as well as our customers, working hard to create a rewarding and supportive work environment. That means competitive salaries, benefits, and a Group-wide recognition scheme. Everyone can enrol in our pension and after six months, you can join our ‘Buy as You Earn’ scheme.
We’re about more than financial rewards though. We give everyone a voice in the business and room to be their authentic self. And we know you’re here to build your career, so we help every colleague with training and development opportunities. Making sure there’s always something new to learn.
Vanquis Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We embrace everyone’s unique strengths and identities. No matter your background, identity, or experience, you are welcome here. We believe diversity enriches our teams and helps us better support our customers.
If there’s anything we can do to support you during the recruitment process—whether that’s a different format of the application or additional assistance—please contact us at careers@vanquis.com.
Lead Credit Risk Analyst employer: Vanquis
Contact Detail:
Vanquis Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Credit Risk Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in credit risk analysis, especially in consumer credit and vehicle finance. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the financial services sector, particularly those who work in credit risk. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the company culture at Vanquis.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've used data-driven insights to optimise lending strategies in your previous roles. Highlighting your analytical skills and successful projects will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Vanquis Bank's values and mission to align your responses during the interview. Showing that you resonate with their purpose of delivering caring banking can make a positive impression on the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Credit Risk Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in credit risk analysis, particularly any work with consumer credit or vehicle finance. Use specific examples to demonstrate your proficiency in SAS, Python, or SQL.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for data-driven decision-making and how your background aligns with the role. Mention your experience with test-and-learn initiatives and how you can contribute to optimising lending strategies.
Highlight Key Achievements: When detailing your previous roles, focus on quantifiable achievements that showcase your analytical skills and impact on business outcomes. This could include successful projects or improvements in credit quality.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your analytical approach and decision-making processes. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to drive strategy and improve performance in past roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vanquis
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Lead Credit Risk Analyst, your analytical prowess is key. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've used SAS, Python, or SQL to drive decision-making. Highlight how your insights led to improved lending strategies or risk management.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with Vanquis Bank's mission and values. During the interview, demonstrate how your experience aligns with their focus on responsible lending and customer care. This shows that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think of examples where you’ve had to optimise credit strategies or manage risk effectively. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how success is measured in the role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
