UK Commercial Banking - Portfolio Risk Head - Director in City of Westminster

The Portfolio Risk Head for UK CCB is responsible for providing 2nd Line of Defence effective challenge, approval and risk oversight of the Commercial Banking business in the UK. This critical Credit Risk role manages a team of credit risk professionals responsible for analysing the creditworthiness of UK mid‑market companies, assigning risk ratings, recommending, or approving credit extensions or withdrawals, and providing ongoing monitoring of credit exposures. Individuals within this role maintain a balance between risk and return, ensuring that credit policies are appropriate, and perform regular in‑depth reviews of the credit portfolio. This role manages and mitigates potential credit losses, safeguarding the company’s financial stability and supporting sustainable business growth. The successful individual will be a key stakeholder for the CCB within the UK, working closely with Bankers and Credit Underwriters in the 1st Line of Defence in ensuring the credit and lending portfolio is built in a controlled, sustainable and profitable manner.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead key risk reviews, ensuring compliance and mitigating threats.
• Critically evaluate assigned portfolios, identifying and assessing emerging risks.
• Drive continuous improvement of credit risk processes and standards for assigned entities.
• Oversee and validate corrective action plans for identified issues, addressing concerns from control functions.
• Review, challenge and provide approval for the assigned portfolio credits and/or recommendations to more senior credit officers as needed.
• Provide independent assessments on the accuracy and appropriateness of risk ratings and classifications for assigned portfolios.
• Assist Senior Risk Heads in orchestrating regional and/or global tasks using innovative techniques and methodologies.
• Develop strategic plans to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization.
• Collaborate with other credit risk families to support the best outcome for Citi, sharing and implementing best practices.
• Manage relationships and expectations of external regulators, Regulatory reporting, Risk, Finance, and Accounting Policy.
• Partner with the Risk organization to refine the process of defining, extracting, and utilizing data.
• Make informed business decisions, considering risk assessment, the firm’s reputation, and compliance with laws, rules, and regulations.
• Enforce compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, upholding policy and ethical business practices.
• Manage and report control issues with full transparency, using advanced judgment and innovative techniques.

People Management:

• Energizes the team by communicating a compelling vision of the future; helps them identify opportunities for change and improvement during uncertainty.
• Inspires the team to constantly improve, own mistakes, and proactively share learnings with other teams; demonstrates deep curiosity to help the team learn and improve.
• Creates a team environment in which members are proactively invited to speak up, seek out, and debate alternative views; role‑models agility to change course when presented with new information.
• Acts as a catalyst for change by identifying and championing ideas that benefit the organization; supports the team to safely experiment.
• Communicates the context behind key organizational decisions; puts the enterprise above the team, and helps the team make decisions that benefit the greater good.
• Creates focus by communicating and aligning resources to the most critical organizational priorities; proactively reduces potential distractions for the team.
• Leads teams to strengthen controls that support client satisfaction and operational effectiveness; creates a culture in which all team members take accountability for managing risk.
• Role‑models, educates, and holds the team accountable for doing the right thing for clients and Citi, in all situations, even when difficult.
• Holds self and team accountable for establishing partnerships that break down boundaries and engage cross‑functional partners early and often; creates opportunities for enhanced collaboration across business and functions.
• Reinforces opportunities for team members to support clients and communities; educates teams on the challenges faced by Citi’s constituents.
• Actively monitors and listens respectfully to how teams are feeling, particularly when facing challenges; assumes best intent and responds with empathy.

Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge and accreditation as Senior Credit Office or equivalent from other comparable institutions along with solid managerial experience.
• Requires a broad and comprehensive understanding of the credit risk field, recognized as a subject matter expert.
• Demonstrated thought leadership, developing new techniques, methodologies, and approaches for credit risk management.
• Proven track record of innovation and groundbreaking developments in credit risk assessment and mitigation.
• Expertise in evaluating complex issues with substantial impact, utilizing in‑depth quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Ability to drive change within and beyond the organization, shaping operational strategies and influencing industry standards.
• Exceptional communication skills, including clear articulation, effective presentation of complex information, and empathetic response.
• Advanced skills in mediating disputes and advocating for organizational interests with high‑level stakeholders.
• Capability to challenge established norms and pioneer new approaches in complex domains.
• Proven ability to guide decision‑making processes and implement technical solutions effectively.
• Bachelor’s/University degree, Master’s degree preferred.
• Analytical Thinking, Credible Challenge, Financial Analysis, Governance, Policy and Procedure, Policy and Regulation, Product Knowledge, Risk Controls and Monitors, Risk Identification and Assessment.

Benefits:

• Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days plus bank holidays; increasing with tenure.
• A discretionary annual performance related bonus.
• Private medical insurance packages to suit your personal circumstances.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Pension Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Special discounts for employees, family, and friends.
• Access to an array of learning and development resources.