CRO - Chief Risk Officer

Job Title: Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Location: New York, NY (Hybrid with remote work flexibility) Employment Type: Full-Time Salary: Competitive (USD, commensurate with experience) Benefits: Equity options, health insurance, performance-based bonuses, and professional development opportunities About Ramani: Ramani is a pioneering fintech company transforming commerce and financial access across Africa. Through our innovative mobile and web platforms, we empower micro-distributors and businesses with cutting-edge digital lending and inventory management solutions. Operating in a $1T market, we’re backed by Y Combinator, Village Global, Flexcap Ventures, Hustle Fund and notable Angel Investors like James Beshara, Jared Schreiber, Robin Chan, Justin Kan, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji. Headquartered in Dar es Salaam and expanding globally, Ramani is redefining financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Job Purpose: The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) will lead Ramani’s risk management strategy, leveraging advanced data science, machine learning, and AI to safeguard the digital lending platform. Based in New York with hybrid flexibility, this C-suite role will harness cutting-edge analytics to drive risk modeling, portfolio optimization, and mitigation strategies. The CRO will ensure sustainable growth and resilience by integrating technical expertise into a robust risk framework. Key Responsibilities: Risk Strategy and Oversight Develop an enterprise-wide risk management strategy for digital lending, using data-driven insights to balance growth and stability. Design AI- and ML-powered frameworks to identify, assess, and mitigate credit, operational, and market risks. Advise the CEO and Board on risk appetite, backed by predictive analytics and scenario modeling. Advanced Risk Analysis and Modeling Build and deploy machine learning models to evaluate credit risk, predict defaults, and assess loan performance in real-time. Conduct stress testing, Monte Carlo simulations, and actuarial analysis to forecast portfolio risks under varying conditions. Use data science techniques to analyze macroeconomic trends, customer behavior, and repayment patterns across African markets. Portfolio Management and Optimization Oversee the lending portfolio’s health, applying AI-driven insights to optimize risk-adjusted returns and reduce non-performing loans (NPLs). Implement data-driven diversification strategies to minimize concentration risk and enhance portfolio resilience. Partner with tech teams to integrate ML algorithms into credit scoring, underwriting, and collections for improved efficiency. Regulatory Compliance and Governance Ensure compliance with U.S. and international standards (e.g., AML, KYC, GDPR) and Tanzanian regulations, using automated monitoring tools. Leverage data analysis to strengthen internal controls against fraud, operational errors, and cybersecurity threats. Serve as the key point of contact for regulators, auditors, and investors on risk analytics and reporting. Leadership and Technical Innovation Lead a team of data scientists, actuaries, and risk analysts, fostering a culture of innovation and analytical excellence. Set KPIs for portfolio performance, model accuracy, and risk exposure, tracked through advanced analytics dashboards. Collaborate with engineering and product teams to embed AI and ML solutions into lending operations and risk processes. Qualifications and Experience: Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD preferred) in Data Science, Computer Science, Actuarial Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field. Minimum of 5 years of experience in risk management, data science, or analytics, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role within fintech, financial services, or a tech-driven industry. Proven expertise in machine learning, AI, and data analysis, with hands-on experience building predictive models (e.g., using Python, R, TensorFlow, or similar). Strong background in credit risk modeling, portfolio management, or actuarial analysis, ideally in digital lending or emerging markets. Familiarity with big data tools (e.g., Hadoop, Spark) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) is a plus. Key Competencies: Technical mastery in ML/AI, statistical modeling, and data analysis applied to risk management. Strategic vision to integrate cutting-edge analytics into business and risk strategies. Leadership skills to guide a technical team and collaborate with non-technical stakeholders. Ability to translate complex data insights into actionable risk policies and executive-level reports. Passion for innovation and solving real-world challenges in financial inclusion.