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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead credit risk analysis for loans and credit cards, optimising lending strategies using data insights.
- Company: Join Vanquis, a leading specialist bank empowering over 1.69 million customers since 1880.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25-30 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a discretionary bonus.
- Why this job: Shape the future of consumer credit while growing your career in a supportive, diverse environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in credit analytics with expertise in SAS, Python, or SQL required.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal development and volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The Vacancy
Lead Credit Risk Analyst, Cards
Contract Type: Permanent / Full-time
Location: Bradford, London or Petersfield. Occasional travel to other offices may be required.
Working Pattern: Hybrid-typically a couple of days a week in the office. Flexible arrangements are considered to support work-life balance. A fear of losing your current working flexibility shouldn\’t hinder you from applying for new opportunities, which is why we aim to match your existing flexible working arrangements where possible.
What We Offer
- Holidays: 25 days, increasing to 30 days with service
- Pension: Up to 10% employer contribution
- Family Leave: Enhanced maternity (post-probation) and 4 weeks paternity leave
- Workations: Work abroad for up to 20 days a year (approved countries)
- Volunteering: 2 paid days to support a charity of your choice
- Learning & Development: Access to LinkedIn Learning for all colleagues
- Financial Wellbeing: Free Snoop Premium subscription
- Connection & Culture: Quarterly socials, in-person and virtual company updates
- Healthcare: Option to join Private Medical Insurance
- Bonus: Discretionary annual bonus
The Role
As a Lead Credit Risk Analyst, you\’ll play a key role in shaping the future of our consumer credit within our unsecured portfolio-including loans and credit cards. Reporting directly to the Credit Risk Strategy Manager, you\’ll be at the forefront of decision optimisation, using data-driven insights to fine-tune our lending strategies.
You\’ll lead test-and-learn initiatives to evaluate and refine credit strategies, using data-driven insights to identify the most effective approaches. By closely monitoring performance and tracking key outcomes, you\’ll ensure our lending decisions remain precise, responsible, and aligned with business goals-continually enhancing our credit risk framework.
As a Lead Credit Risk Analyst, you will:
- Develop expert understanding of the customer management lifecycle, including all aspects of decisioning and customer touch points
- Investigation and development of new data sources to be used for analysis and decisioning
- Support business growth and portfolio profitability while ensuring a balance between risk, reward and responsible lending, and controlling credit quality and performance
- Drive the optimisation of lending decisions through test and learn initiatives to identify champion strategies
- Ensure lending decisions are accurate and appropriate through close tracking and monitoring
- Perform inquisitive and innovative analysis and provide logical recommendations resulting in customer and /or business benefits
- Devise, initiate and deliver complex analytical/data driven projects fully incorporating Customer and business implications throughout
- Define analytical project phases, success criteria and timescales and drive projects through to implementation, managing the full project from end to end
- Oversee and peer-review team changes, mentor Analysts/Senior Analysts, direct daily work without formal management duties
- Deputise for manager as and when required
What We\’re Looking For
- 5+ years\’ experience in an analytical role within consumer credit, exposure to Cards and Loans is essential
- Proficiency in SAS, Python, or SQL (Advanced level required)
- Extensive experience with decisioning systems and strategy optimisation
- Strong background in Credit Analytics
- Proven experience in scorecard cut-off setting and decline rule optimisation
- The ability to leverage data to drive informed decision-making and shape business strategy
Offers are subject to satisfactory background checks, including credit, fraud, and employment references.
Who we are
At Vanquis, we have a simple purpose: to deliver caring banking so our customers can make the most of life\’s opportunities. Established in 1880, we\’re now a FTSE All Share company and leading specialist bank. We lend responsibly, providing tailored products and services to over 1.69 million UK customers. We see ourselves as the bank that\’s got your back.
Vanquis has been named one of the Financial Times UK\’s Best Employers 2025, ranking in the top 50 nationwide and seventh in Banking and Financial Services. This recognition is based on independent employee feedback, reflecting our strong workplace culture, career growth opportunities, and commitment to our people.
We take care of our colleagues as well as our customers, working hard to create a rewarding and supportive work environment. That means competitive salaries, benefits, and a Group-wide recognition scheme. Everyone can enrol in our pension and after six months, you can join our \’Buy as You Earn\’ scheme.
We\’re about more than financial rewards though. We give everyone a voice in the business and room to be their authentic self. And we know you\’re here to build your career, so we help every colleague with training and development opportunities. Making sure there\’s always something new to learn.
Equal Opportunities
Vanquis Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We embrace everyone\’s unique strengths and identities. No matter your background, identity, or experience, you are welcome here. We believe diversity enriches our teams and helps us better support our customers.
If there\’s anything we can do to support you during the recruitment process-whether that\’s a different format of the application or additional assistance-please contact us at careers@vanquis.com.
The Company
At Vanquis, we\’ve been empowering lives since 1880. As a FTSE All Share company and leading specialist bank, we lend responsibly to over 1.69 million UK customers.
We\’re just as committed to our colleagues as we are to our customers, offering competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and recognition schemes. With pension plans, our \’Buy as You Earn\’ scheme, and ongoing training opportunities, we create a supportive environment where you can grow and thrive.
Bring your authentic self, find your voice, and build your career with us-because at Vanquis, we believe in making the most of life\’s opportunities.
The Benefits
Competitive base salary and rewards
Private Medical Insurance
25 days holiday entitlement
one day accrued for each year of service (max 30 days)
Defined contribution pension scheme
Discretionary bonus scheme
Perks at Work
A perks platform of over 30,000 unique discounts
Volunteering
2 paid days to support a charity of your choice
Flexible, hybrid, & dynamic working policies
Personal & career development opportunities
Monthly and Quarterly Colleague Socials
Discounted gym membership
BUPA GP Service
Workplace Gallery
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Lead Credit Risk Analyst employer: Vanquis Bank
Contact Detail:
Vanquis Bank Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Credit Risk Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in credit risk analysis, especially in consumer credit. Understanding the current landscape will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the credit risk field, particularly those who work with cards and loans. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could lead to referrals or insider information about the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your technical skills, particularly in SAS, Python, and SQL. Being able to showcase your proficiency in these areas during discussions can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've optimised lending decisions in previous roles. Highlighting your experience with test-and-learn initiatives will show that you can contribute effectively to the company's goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Credit Risk Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in credit risk analysis, particularly in consumer credit, cards, and loans. Use specific examples to demonstrate your proficiency in SAS, Python, or SQL.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Lead Credit Risk Analyst position and how you can contribute to their goals.
Showcase Analytical Skills: Provide examples of past projects where you used data-driven insights to optimise lending strategies. Highlight your experience with decisioning systems and any successful test-and-learn initiatives you've led.
Highlight Leadership Experience: If you have experience mentoring others or leading projects, make sure to include this in your application. Emphasise your ability to oversee teams and drive projects from start to finish.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vanquis Bank
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Lead Credit Risk Analyst, your analytical prowess is key. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've used SAS, Python, or SQL to drive decision-making. Highlight how your insights led to improved lending strategies or risk management.
✨Understand the Customer Management Lifecycle
Demonstrate your knowledge of the customer management lifecycle during the interview. Discuss how you have previously engaged with various customer touchpoints and how this understanding has influenced your decisioning processes.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in credit risk analysis, particularly in optimising lending decisions through test-and-learn initiatives.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership and Mentoring
Since the role involves overseeing and mentoring analysts, be ready to share your experiences in leading teams or projects. Discuss how you've supported colleagues in their development and how you approach peer reviews and feedback.
