At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead risk strategy for SMB and platform sellers, ensuring scalable onboarding and monitoring.
- Company: Join Checkout.com, a fintech leader powering payments for global brands like eBay and Spotify.
- Benefits: Enjoy a flexible hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values diversity and supports your career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fintech space while working with innovative technologies.
- Qualifications: Deep expertise in risk management and operational leadership in high-volume environments.
The predicted salary is between 119250 - 145750 £ per year.
Company Description
We’re Checkout. com.
You might not know our name, but companies like e Bay, Spotify, Klarna, Uber, and Sony do, because we’re behind many of the digital experiences you use every day.
We are where the world checks out, enabling over 10 billion transactions yearly for more than one billion global shoppers.
Whether you want to book a holiday, order food, renew a subscription, or check out online, there’s a good chance our tech powers the payments behind the scenes.
Our platform helps the most ambitious businesses deliver effortless digital experiences, at scale.
If you want to do career-defining work, you’ve come to the right place.
We move fast, think globally, and believe great teams are built by hiring exceptional people with conviction, curiosity, and the desire to make an impact.
With 20 offices across six continents and London as our HQ, we’re shaping the future of fintech – and we’re just getting started.
About the Role
As Director, SMB and Platforms Risk, you will own the first-line risk strategy and operating model for our SMB and platform sellers globally.
You'll be based in London and report to the VP, Risk Operations.
You will lead onboarding and monitoring teams in Mauritius and Mexico through local team leaders, and a BPO partner.
You will partner with Product, Risk Analytics, Engineering and Commercial to make onboarding and monitoring scalable, measurable and proportionate to risk.
We're looking for a programmatic, systems-minded risk leader who can design the operating model and run it day to day, protecting the business while enabling responsible growth.
What You'll Do
- Set the risk strategy and operating model across the seller lifecycle: onboarding, risk-based tiering, review criteria, monitoring triggers and actions such as reserves, funds controls and termination.
- Partner with Product, Risk Analytics and Engineering to turn risk needs into clear requirements, decision logic and a prioritised automation roadmap.
- Define and track the KPIs that balance control, customer experience and cost, including straight-through processing, onboarding time, loss rates and alert precision.
- Lead operational performance across teams in Mauritius and Mexico through local leaders, setting priorities, procedures, SLAs, quality standards and capacity plans.
- Scale the operation as headcount grows: stand up additional teams as needed, govern BPO partners, and prioritise automation improvements.
- Close the loop between cases, losses and fraud patterns so that rules, thresholds, policy and product priorities keep improving.
- Own first-line control quality and audit readiness, with clear handoffs of risks, issues and remediation to second-line oversight.
- Represent SMB and Platforms Risk in governance, product and commercial forums, including risk-based pricing and bespoke platform deals.
Hold a clear risk position while finding structured paths to yes.
- Apply AI and LLM-enabled tools to triage, case summarisation, QA and risk insight, with appropriate human review, data protection and audit trails.
What We're Looking For
- Deep risk expertise in SMB acquiring, with a strong grasp of credit exposure, reserves, fraud and transaction monitoring across the seller lifecycle.
- Understanding of platform and Pay Fac models, including ISVs, marketplaces and merchant-of-record structures.
- Working knowledge of KYC/KYB and CDD, and of how onboarding controls connect to downstream risk.
- A programmatic mindset: you turn complex risk needs into operating models, requirements and roadmaps, make pragmatic trade-offs, and drive delivery.
- Proven operational leadership of distributed teams through local leaders, with rigour in capacity planning, SLAs, QA, procedures and control evidence.
- A track record of building or scaling automated onboarding and monitoring in a high-volume, low-touch environment.
- Data fluency: you set meaningful KPIs, interpret rule and model performance, and work with analytics teams to improve outcomes.
- Senior influence with Product, Commercial, Legal, Finance and executive audiences, with the confidence to challenge and find responsible ways to say yes.
- Ability to travel to our Mauritius and Mexico offices at least twice a year.
Desirable
- Hands-on depth in KYC/KYB, CDD and card-scheme requirements and controls.
- Experience managing BPO or third-party operations partners, including performance governance and service-quality improvement.
- Experience building a monitoring capability or operating model from the ground up in regulated payments or fintech.
- Experience deploying AI-assisted operations or agentic workflows responsibly in risk, compliance or customer operations.
- Additional Information
- Bring all of you to work
We create the conditions for high performers to thrive, through real ownership, fewer blockers, and work that makes a difference from day one.
Here, you’ll move fast, take on meaningful challenges, and be recognized for the impact you deliver.
It’s a place where ambition gets met with opportunity, and where your growth is in your hands.
We work as one team, and we back each other to succeed. So whatever your background or identity, if you’re ready to grow and make a difference, you’ll be right at home here.
It’s important we set you up for success and make our process as accessible as possible.
So let us know in your application, or tell your recruiter directly, if you need anything to make your experience or working environment more comfortable.
Life at Checkout. com
We understand that work is just one part of your life. Our hybrid working model offers flexibility, with three days per week in the office to support collaboration and connection.
Curious about what it’s like to be part of our team? Visit our Careers Page to learn more about our culture, open roles, and what drives us.
- For a closer look at daily life at Checkout. com, follow us on Linked In and Instagram
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Director, SMB and Platform Risk Underwriting London employer: Checkout Ltd
At Checkout.com, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our London headquarters is not just a workplace; it's a hub for career-defining opportunities where employees are empowered to take ownership of their projects and drive meaningful change. With a strong focus on personal growth, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and a commitment to inclusivity, we ensure that every team member can thrive and make a significant impact in the fintech landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, SMB and Platform Risk Underwriting London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Checkout Ltd. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Checkout Ltd.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Checkout Ltd. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, SMB and Platform Risk Underwriting London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Checkout Ltd and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Checkout Ltd how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Checkout Ltd
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Checkout Ltd.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Checkout Ltd's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
