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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead credit risk analysis, optimise lending strategies, and mentor junior analysts.
- Company: Join Vanquis, a leading specialist bank empowering over 1.69 million customers since 1880.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25-30 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a discretionary bonus.
- Why this job: Shape the future of consumer credit while enjoying a supportive culture and career growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in credit analytics, proficiency in SAS, Python, or SQL, and strong decisioning experience.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with occasional travel; diverse and inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Vacancy
Lead Credit Risk Analyst
Contract Type: Permanent / Full-time
Location: Bradford, London 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. A fear of losing your current working flexibility shouldn\’t hinder you from applying for new opportunities, which is why we aim to match your existing flexible working arrangements where possible.
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. We see ourselves as the bank that\’s got your back.
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.
Equal Opportunities
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.
The Company
At Vanquis, we\’ve been empowering lives since 1880. As a FTSE All Share company and leading specialist bank, we lend responsibly to over 1.69 million UK customers.
We\’re just as committed to our colleagues as we are to our customers, offering competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and recognition schemes. With pension plans, our \’Buy as You Earn\’ scheme, and ongoing training opportunities, we create a supportive environment where you can grow and thrive.
Bring your authentic self, find your voice, and build your career with us-because at Vanquis, we believe in making the most of life\’s opportunities.
The Benefits
Competitive base salary and rewards
Private Medical Insurance
25 days holiday entitlement
one day accrued for each year of service (max 30 days)
Defined contribution pension scheme
Discretionary bonus scheme
Perks at Work
A perks platform of over 30,000 unique discounts
Volunteering
2 paid days to support a charity of your choice
Flexible, hybrid, & dynamic working policies
Personal & career development opportunities
Monthly and Quarterly Colleague Socials
Discounted gym membership
BUPA GP Service
Workplace Gallery
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Lead Credit Risk Analyst employer: Vanquis Bank
Contact Detail:
Vanquis Bank 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 credit risk sector, particularly those who work at Vanquis or similar companies. Engaging with them on platforms like LinkedIn can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific projects where you've successfully optimised lending decisions or implemented data-driven strategies. Having concrete examples ready will showcase your analytical skills and experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Understand the importance of mentoring and team collaboration in this role. Be ready to share how you've supported colleagues in previous positions, as this aligns with the responsibilities of overseeing and mentoring analysts at Vanquis.
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 the role and the company. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Lead Credit Risk Analyst position and provide examples of past successes in similar roles.
Showcase Analytical Skills: Emphasise your analytical skills by detailing specific projects where you used data-driven insights to optimise lending strategies. Highlight your experience with decisioning systems and strategy optimisation.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your experience in credit analytics and decision-making processes. Be ready to discuss how you've driven successful outcomes in previous roles and how you can contribute to the company's goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vanquis Bank
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Lead Credit Risk Analyst, your analytical prowess is key. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to drive decision-making in previous roles. Highlight any experience with SAS, Python, or SQL, and be ready to explain your approach to complex analytical projects.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with Vanquis Bank's mission and values. Understand their consumer credit portfolio and how your role will contribute to their goals. This knowledge will help you align your answers with the company's objectives and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making processes. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you've had to optimise lending strategies or manage risk. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership and Mentoring
Since the role involves overseeing and mentoring other analysts, be ready to share your experiences in leading teams or projects. Discuss how you've supported colleagues in their development and how you approach peer reviews, showcasing your leadership style and collaborative spirit.
