Credit Quality Assurance Manager

About Allica Bank

Allica is the UK’s fastest growing company – and the fastest-growing financial technology (Fintech) firm ever. Our purpose is to help established SMEs, one of the last major underserved opportunities in Fintech. Established SMEs are the backbone of local communities – representing over a third of our economy – yet have been largely neglected both by traditional high street banks and modern fintech providers.

Department Description

Allica’s Risk Department forms the 2nd Line of Defence (2LOD) and provides robust support, insightful challenge, and comprehensive oversight to the dynamic activities of the 1st Line of Defence (1LOD). Unlike traditional 2LOD functions, our team thrives on collaboration and aligning with the bank's strategic objectives in a controlled and risk‑conscious manner. We are empowered to support innovative solutions to complex challenges, acting as key facilitators in driving the bank towards success.

Role Description

This role plays a crucial role in ensuring that credit risks are appropriately monitored and managed. The Credit Quality Assurance Manager is expected to ensure robust support and comprehensive oversight of credit risk management. This involves providing second‑line oversight, challenging credit risk management, and assessing the implementation and oversight of credit policy and lending standards.

Principal Accountabilities

• Develop and implement credit risk assurance plans and methodologies.
• Provide oversight and document findings on 1LOD’s compliance with credit policy and lending standards, provide clear recommendations to improve credit processes and support mitigation efforts.
• Set governance requirements for credit assurance, including business self‑assurance for first‑line underwriting teams, and provide regular monitoring and reporting across all portfolios.
• Provide an integrated view of the bank’s credit risk profile through the development of comprehensive reporting, assessment of credit quality performance, emerging issues and recommending necessary actions.
• Liaise with key business stakeholders to support the maintenance of a credit assurance programme that covers thematic reviews, ad‑hoc requests on individual files or portfolios and communicating any material issues and/or non‑compliance with approval conditions.
• Review and set key assurance risk metrics, including but not limited to credit quality at origination and in‑life stewardship, governance for use of delegated lending authorities, issue management, policy compliance and implementation.
• Provide independent validation of credit quality across the banks total portfolio and where required be part of the due diligence team for any potential portfolio acquisition. Validation activity should assess the financial and operational performance of new and existing business and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Personal Attributes & Experience

• Deep understanding of credit risk within the SME markets.
• Experience & knowledge of credit risk management frameworks.
• Experience of working in a fast‑paced environment using credit data, credit policy, lending standards and risk appetite to assess qualitative and quantitative outputs.
• Knowledge of risk models such as PD & LGD and an ability to translate outputs into a clear report that can be used with stakeholders.
• Knowledge of a bank’s regulatory environment and knowing where to go for guidance and support.
• Familiarity with all risk types across a bank and ability to provide reasoned challenge.
• You are flexible to adapt quickly to changing priorities within a very dynamic environment and work well with stakeholders across the business.
• Established self‑starter and ability to work under own guidance.
• Collaborative style of working, using the experience of the wider team.

Benefits

• Full onboarding support and continued development opportunities.
• Options for flexible working.
• Regular social activities.
• Pension contributions.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Private health cover.
• Life assurance.
• Family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave.