At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead credit operations and underwriting across Europe, driving process improvements and managing portfolio performance.
- Company: Join Navan, a trailblazer in business travel and expense management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role in a fast-paced startup culture with a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a rapidly growing fintech environment while shaping credit strategy.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in commercial credit underwriting with strong analytical and partnership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At Navan, we're redefining business travel, payments, and expense management for thousands of companies around the world. Every credit decision we make enables customers to access Navan's payment solutions while protecting our portfolio and supporting sustainable growth.
About the Role
Are you a high-impact credit professional looking to make an immediate impact in a rapidly growing business? We're seeking an experienced commercial credit professional to join our global Credit Risk team and lead underwriting and credit operations across Europe. This role combines hands-on underwriting, portfolio management, credit operations, and process improvement. This is a hands-on role. While you'll own complex underwriting decisions and help shape credit strategy across Europe, you'll also play a key role in ensuring our day-to-day credit operations run smoothly. You'll continuously improve workflows, partner with operational teams, and help build scalable processes that enable the business to grow responsibly. If you enjoy balancing analytical rigor with commercial judgment—and want to influence both individual credit decisions and the systems behind them—we'd love to meet you.
What You’ll Do
- Underwrite commercial credit requests using financial and bank statements, funding/ investment history, commercial credit bureau data and macro/ industry data.
- Lead the execution and continuous improvement of credit operations, including workflow management, queue prioritization, operational metrics and process optimization.
- Own ongoing monitoring of portfolio performance across Europe, identifying emerging risks and providing actionable insights to leadership.
- Own credit decisions within delegated authority and serve as a trusted advisor on complex commercial credit opportunities.
- Drive the evolution of underwriting policies and approval frameworks by balancing portfolio performance, customer experience and commercial growth.
- Identify opportunities to leverage automation, AI and data analytics to improve underwriting efficiency while maintaining strong risk controls.
- Partner with Sales, Account Management and Customer Success to evaluate complex opportunities, resolve credit issues and deliver timely decisions that support customer growth.
- Partner closely with our internal and external technology partners to continuously drive improvement and innovation in our credit risk management tech stack.
What We’re Looking For
- Experience underwriting businesses across multiple European jurisdictions, with a strong understanding of differences in financial reporting, bureau data and local business practices.
- 5+ years of commercial credit underwriting, ratings or related functional experience.
- Multilingual fluency is strongly preferred.
- Hands-on experience in development of credit risk management policy and expertise in credit approval framework and policy.
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities and make sound decisions in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
- Experience in leveraging internal portfolio, macroeconomic, industry and external data in the development of risk appetite frameworks, credit policies and forward-looking forecasts.
- Very strong analytical experience.
- Commercial card, B2B credit and or travel industry credit risk management is a plus.
- Strong partnership skills and proven success in working with business partners in sales, client management, product and operations.
- Hands-on experience in a fintech/ startup environment.
- Analytics experience in working with financial and/ or transactional data.
- Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution in a fast-paced environment.
Manager, Commercial Credit Risk - Europe in London employer: Navan
At Navan, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our Competitive Intelligence & Strategy team plays a crucial role in driving market growth, and we offer ample opportunities for professional development and continuous learning. Located in a vibrant area, our employees enjoy a supportive environment that encourages creativity and teamwork, making it a rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager, Commercial Credit Risk - Europe 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 Navan. 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 Manager, Commercial Credit Risk - Europe 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 Navan.
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 Navan'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 Navan
✨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 Navan.
✨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 Navan 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 Navan 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.
