At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead risk strategy for iwocaPay, using data to inform lending decisions and optimise growth.
- Company: Join iwoca, a dynamic fintech helping SMEs thrive with innovative finance solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to supporting one million SMEs.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on small businesses by shaping their access to finance.
- Qualifications: Experience in risk strategy within fintech, strong analytical skills, and collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 130000 £ per year.
We're looking for a Risk Strategy Lead. You'll lead the credit and fraud strategy for iwocaPay — using data and analysis to inform who we lend to, on what terms, and how we grow into new segments where historical data is limited. You'll steer modelling priorities, define what good looks like for the portfolio, and translate analytical trade-offs into commercial decisions for a cross-functional squad.
The Company: Small businesses move fast. Opportunities often don't wait, and cash flow pressures can appear overnight. To keep going, and growing, SMEs need finance that's as flexible and responsive as they are. That's why we built iwoca. Our smart technology, data science and five-star customer service ensures business owners can act with the speed, confidence and control they need, exactly when it's needed. We've already cleared the way for 150,000 businesses with more than 4 billion in funding. Our passionate team is driven to help even more SMEs succeed, through access to better finance and other services that make running a business easier. Our ultimate mission is to support one million SMEs in their defining moments, creating lasting impact for the communities and economies they drive.
The Team: iwocaPay is iwoca's business-to-business trade credit product. We help sellers get paid upfront while giving their buyers flexible payment terms, and in doing so, we now support more than 10,000 active trade accounts. The risk squad owns the trade-off at the heart of iwocaPay's product offering — using data to extend finance to the right customers, on the right terms, while ensuring customers and our book is adequately protected. The squad has a solid baseline of controls in place and is now investing to build the analytical layer on top — predictive models, real-time monitoring, and a joined-up strategy across risk. This new role leads that shift, defining what the squad optimises for as the product scales into new segments and financing structures. The squad sits within iwocaPay and also works with iwoca's Global Risk Modelling & Fraud team and the broader technical and data science functions.
The Role: Own the risk strategy. Decide what we optimise for, how we balance growth against loss, and how to move safely into new segments with limited data. Use data & analytics to inform credit policy and risk appetite, building for growth and not just loss control, and shaping approval rates, offer amounts and exposure. Weigh risk on both sides of the transaction: the buyers we extend credit to, and, where it applies, counterparty seller risk. Hold a consistent strategy across every route iwocaPay finances through, and extend it to new ones, protecting the book without adding friction to the customer experience. Turn analysis into decisions. Set modelling priorities and own model governance alongside our data scientists, judging performance and feature quality rather than building them yourself. Turn analytical trade-offs into commercial decisions, owning the end-to-end strategy to present to Co-Leads and wider leadership. Define what 'good' looks like for the portfolio: the metrics, thresholds, and monitoring that tell us whether our strategy is working or drifting. Influence how risk is built into the product. Partner with product, analytics, operations and engineering to embed risk thinking early in new features, rather than retrofitting controls after launch. Give a cross-functional squad a clear direction and the context to do their best work — you're leading the strategy, not doing everything yourself. Work closely with iwoca's global risk & modelling teams to inform how our risk strategy and supporting models are built, tested, and iterated.
The Requirements: Essential experience in or substantial exposure to delivering risk strategy in a digital lending, fintech, or payments context, built on automated, real-time decisioning rather than manual reviews. Strong analytical skills, with a background in mathematics, statistics, economics, or a related quantitative discipline, allowing you to challenge, tune, and evolve risk frameworks. Ability to monitor and evaluate automated machine learning risk models, assessing feature quality and guiding data scientists without necessarily needing to build models yourself. Ability to collaborate across engineering, data science, and product, translating analytical trade-offs into commercial decisions that non-specialists can act on. Uses AI tools to support analysis and decision making, applying strong judgement to ensure accuracy, risk awareness, and sound outcomes.
Bonus: We welcome candidates from product or strategy roles in payments, lending or finance who haven't owned risk directly but have been close to risk or financing decisions. Experience with fraud strategy alongside credit, ideally through transaction profiling rather than manual review. Familiarity with B2B or trade-credit dynamics, including seller counterparty risk.
Compensation Range: 100K - 130K
Location: London
Employment Type: Full time
Department: Strategy and Product
Compensation: 100K – 130K
Risk Strategy Lead - iwocaPay in London employer: iwoca
At iwoca, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration. Our vibrant work culture fosters growth and creativity, empowering employees to make impactful decisions that drive the success of small businesses. With a commitment to professional development and a focus on leveraging cutting-edge technology, we offer a unique opportunity for individuals to thrive in the dynamic fintech landscape of London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Risk Strategy Lead - iwocaPay in 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 iwoca. 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 Risk Strategy Lead - iwocaPay in 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 iwoca.
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 iwoca'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 iwoca
✨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 iwoca.
✨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 iwoca 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 iwoca 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.
