At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data-driven strategies for credit card originations and optimise lending decisions.
- Company: Join Vanquis, a caring bank with a strong commitment to employee wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25+ days holiday, workations, birthday leave, and access to LinkedIn Learning.
- Other info: Be part of a Great Place to Work and grow your career with us.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping business strategies.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in credit risk analysis and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent | Full Time
Location: Bradford, Chatham, Petersfield or London
Working Pattern: Hybrid (usually one day a week in the office). We welcome part-time and flexible arrangements and will aim to match your current flexibility where possible.
What We Offer
- Holidays: 25 days (rising to 30) + buy/sell up to 5 days + swap up to 4 bank holidays.
- Pension: Up to 10% employer contribution.
- Enhanced Leave: Enhanced maternity (post-probation), 4 weeks’ paternity, and paid neonatal & carers leave.
- Workations: Work abroad for up to 20 days a year in approved countries.
- Birthday Leave: Your birthday off—paid.
- Volunteering: 2 paid volunteering days.
- Learning: Access to LinkedIn Learning for all colleagues.
- Financial Wellbeing: Free Snoop Premium subscription.
- Healthcare: Self-pay Denplan & optional Private Medical Insurance.
The Role
Are you passionate about turning data into powerful business decisions? At Vanquis, we’re looking for a Lead Credit Risk Analyst to shape the future of our New Business Strategies. You’ll focus primarily on our Credit Cards portfolio, developing and enhancing our origination strategies and reporting. In this key role, you’ll use data-driven insight to design, implement and refine originations strategies that balance risk and opportunity. You’ll dive deep into customer decisioning across multiple products, becoming a subject matter expert in how we assess applications and support responsible growth. With a strong emphasis on reporting and performance monitoring, you’ll ensure our strategies stay sharp, effective and aligned with business goals. If you’re ready to make a measurable impact across diverse portfolios in a dynamic, data-rich environment, this role is your opportunity to lead with insight and innovation.
As a Lead Credit Risk Analyst, you will:
- Develop expert understanding of new business originations, including all aspects of decisioning and customer touch points.
- Regular reporting & monitoring to ensure risk strategies are effective.
- Support the optimisation of lending decisions through test and learn initiatives to identify champion strategies.
- Support business growth and portfolio profitability while ensuring a balance between risk, reward and responsible lending, and controlling credit quality and performance.
- 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.
- Deliver complex analytical/data driven projects fully incorporating Customer and business implications throughout.
- Support the automation of MI and processes to maximise integration, effectiveness and efficiency.
What We’re Looking For
- 5+ years’ experience in an analytical role, within a Credit Risk environment.
- Experience of strategy optimisation or scorecard cut-off setting.
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
- Experience working to a high level of detail and accuracy.
- Knowledge of Consumer Lending products such as Credit cards, Loans or Vehicle Finance.
- Confidently present analysis, recommendations, and strategic insights to senior stakeholders and governance forums, ensuring complex information is communicated clearly and effectively.
- Lead end‑to‑end delivery of analytical projects while providing guidance, coaching and mentorship to junior analysts to support their development and high‑quality output.
Offers are subject to standard background checks (credit, fraud and employment references).
Who we are
At Vanquis, our purpose is simple: to deliver caring banking that helps people make the most of life’s opportunities. Founded in 1880, we’re now a FTSE All Share specialist bank supporting over 1.7 million UK customers with responsible, tailored lending. We’re proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work and recognised by the Financial Times as one of the UK’s Best Employers 2025 — ranked top 50 nationwide and seventh in Banking & Financial Services. We’re also proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, actively supporting veterans, reservists and military families. Guided by our values — caring for people, pulling together, finding better ways and getting the right things done — we’re building a workplace where colleagues feel connected, valued and empowered. Alongside competitive pay, we offer meaningful benefits, salary reviews, a discretionary bonus scheme and continued recognition. We’re invested in your development too. With the right support and hands-on learning, you’ll grow your skills, shape your career and realise your ambitions.
How We Hire
We use AI to help organise applications and surface early matches, but all decisions are made by humans. Please apply authentically — especially during interviews. If you need assistive technology or reasonable adjustments (including the use of AI tools), please let the Talent Acquisition team know in advance and we’ll be happy to support you. Where we have reason to believe AI has been used inappropriately, we reserve the right to withdraw a candidate from the recruitment process.
Equal Opportunities
Vanquis Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value everyone’s unique background, identity and experience, and we’re committed to a workplace where all colleagues can thrive. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please contact careers@vanquis.com and we’ll be happy to help.
Lead Analyst, Credit Risk Cards Originations in Chatham employer: Vanquis
Contact Detail:
Vanquis Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Analyst, Credit Risk Cards Originations in Chatham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with yours. This will help you answer questions more authentically and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it relates to the role of Lead Credit Risk Analyst. Keep it concise but impactful—highlight your analytical skills and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Vanquis and ready to make a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Analyst, Credit Risk Cards Originations in Chatham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in credit risk analysis. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role is all about data-driven decisions, include specific examples of how you've used data to influence business strategies. We want to see your analytical prowess shine through!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Avoid jargon and make sure your points are easy to understand. We appreciate clarity and directness in communication.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands. Plus, we love seeing applications come through our platform.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vanquis
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Lead Credit Risk Analyst, you'll be expected to dive deep into data. Brush up on key metrics related to credit risk and origination strategies. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
This role requires excellent communication skills, especially when presenting complex information to senior stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated analytical insights in the past, and practice articulating your thoughts clearly.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with Vanquis Bank's values and mission. Understand their approach to responsible lending and how it aligns with your experience. This will help you demonstrate that you're not just a numbers person, but also someone who cares about the impact of those numbers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking. Think of scenarios where you've optimised lending decisions or improved risk strategies. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.