At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead risk strategy for SMB and platform sellers globally, ensuring scalable onboarding and monitoring.
- Company: Join Checkout.com, powering payments for brands like eBay and Spotify.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working model, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in fintech while shaping the future of digital payments.
- Qualifications: Deep risk expertise and operational leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 113400 - 138600 £ 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
Checkout.com is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, where innovation and strategic thinking are highly valued. Located in a vibrant city, employees benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth through continuous learning opportunities and cross-functional collaboration. With a focus on impactful initiatives, team members are empowered to make meaningful contributions that drive the company's success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, SMB and Platform Risk Underwriting London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Checkout. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, SMB and Platform Risk Underwriting London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Checkout.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Checkout's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Checkout
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Checkout.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Checkout will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Checkout employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
