Head of Credit and Model Risk Oversight

Hello, we’re Zempler Bank, formerly Cashplus Bank. We’re here to make money simpler. We know that banking isn’t at the top of most people’s to do lists, that’s why making it less of a chore is at the top of ours. We don’t do banking the traditional way – the wrong way. We do banking that works for the people that need it, when they need it. We’re for the crafters, the grafters, and the self-starters. We are a “Top 100 Best Companies” employer & Top 25 Financial Services businesses to work for in the UK. Our mission statement, which underpins everything we do, is to provide the UK’s underserved businesses with easy to access and simple to use banking services that helps them succeed.

The Role

Great risk oversight is about more than rules and models; it’s about judgement, curiosity and collaboration. We’re looking for a Head of Credit & Model Risk Oversight to provide independent second line leadership at Zempler Bank, helping to shape a culture where risk is openly discussed, well understood and responsibly managed. In this role, you’ll work closely with colleagues across the business, offering constructive challenge and thoughtful insight while supporting fair, sustainable outcomes for our customers and for Zempler Bank. We welcome different perspectives and experiences, and we value people who are confident in their expertise, respectful in their approach, and motivated by doing the right thing.

Hybrid Working

We are very proud to offer one of the most flexible hybrid working arrangements in the industry! The expectation for this role will involve a minimum of one day each month - working out of our London Bridge office.

SMCR Certification Regime

This role falls within the Certification Regime under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR) and has been designated as a Certified Function. The role is certified because it is pivotal to driving Zempler Bank’s risk management agenda forward, proactively fostering a strong risk‑aware culture, and supporting the Bank in meeting Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) expectations. This includes engaging effectively with key stakeholders, overseeing and maintaining the effectiveness of the risk management framework, and supporting the achievement of Zempler Bank’s strategic objectives. The role holder is responsible for providing oversight of Credit Risk and Model Risk Management, including in relation to PRA regulatory matters, and therefore exercises significant influence over the safe and sound operation of the Bank.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Deep subject matter expertise on credit risk matters, with experience in SME and commercial secured lending/real estate and in unsecured consumer lending in retail banking (or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of IFRS9 and Basel impacts on credit risk management and modelling.
• Subject matter expertise on model risk management matters, gained in a retail banking (or equivalent) environment.
• Experience of interfacing with regulatory bodies as well as presenting to Board/Executive level committees.
• Been operating independently to ‘Head of’ standards in a second line (or equivalent) capacity.
• Demonstrable technical knowledge of credit risk management approaches.
• Experience of developing and further enhancing model risk management frameworks.
• Experience of building out a Credit Risk function.
• Model building techniques and programming languages such as Python.

Benefits

• Competitive basic salary.
• Additional benefit allowance representing 7.5% of your annual salary allowing you the flexibility to decide your own benefits (or simply absorb this into your monthly income).
• 26 days’ holiday increasing each year of service to 33 days.
• Ability to buy and sell a further 5 days holiday each year.
• Pension salary sacrifice.
• Option for LinkedIn Learning license.
• Family friendly policies.
• Regular social activities and team events.
• Charity Volunteering Day.

Zempler Bank is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment are considered without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.