First Line Credit Manager

As the 1st Line Credit Manager, you will lead a small team of credit risk analysts and be responsible for the bank’s portfolio monitoring, credit MI, and day-to-day credit strategy oversight across secured and unsecured lending portfolios. This is a hands-on first line role in a small bank environment, combining analytical depth with team leadership and close engagement with stakeholders across Credit, Finance, Operations, Compliance and senior governance forums. The role is focused on ensuring the bank has clear, timely and decision-useful insight into portfolio performance, that credit decisioning and underwriting strategies remain aligned to risk appetite and business objectives, and that the analyst team delivers high-quality analysis and MI to support effective decision-making. Degree in a numerate discipline (for example Mathematics, Economics, Data Science) or equivalent relevant experience. Strong experience in credit risk within retail banking, consumer lending or a similar regulated lending environment, with practical exposure to portfolio monitoring, credit MI and credit strategy. Proven experience of analysing portfolio performance and translating data into clear insight, recommendations and actions for business and risk stakeholders. Experience of working with underwriting strategies, scorecards, decision rules and credit decisioning processes, including the monitoring and optimisation of strategy performance. Strong technical and analytical skills, including SQL and ideally Python, R or SAS, with the ability to work hands-on with data. Experience of leading, coaching or developing analysts, with the ability to set priorities, manage delivery and maintain high standards of output in a small team environment. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience of preparing and presenting MI, analysis and recommendations to senior stakeholders or committees. Familiarity with relevant regulatory and accounting frameworks, including IFRS9, CONC and broader retail lending governance expectations. Lead portfolio monitoring and credit MI across the bank’s lending portfolios, with responsibility for producing and overseeing timely, accurate and decision-useful analysis on key performance indicators including volumes, approval rates, delinquency, arrears, vintage performance, losses, impairments and other emerging portfolio trends. Conduct deep-dive analysis into portfolio performance, customer outcomes, risk trends and macroeconomic developments, identifying emerging risks and opportunities and making clear recommendations for action. Own and enhance the regular credit reporting suite, ensuring MI remains relevant, well controlled and aligned to the needs of management, committees and other internal stakeholders. Support the development, implementation and ongoing refinement of credit strategy and decisioning across secured and unsecured lending products, including underwriting rules, scorecard monitoring, cut-offs and policy implementation within decision engines. Monitor the performance of existing strategies and recommend changes to optimise portfolio quality, lending outcomes and commercial performance within agreed risk appetite. Lead, coach and develop a team of three credit risk analysts, setting clear priorities, reviewing output quality, allocating work effectively and supporting the development of strong analytical capability and high performance standards. Manage team delivery across BAU reporting, ad hoc analysis and change activity, ensuring deadlines are met and outputs are robust, well structured and suitable for a range of audiences. Work closely with stakeholders across Credit, Finance, Operations, Compliance and other business areas to ensure portfolio insights and credit strategy recommendations are understood, actionable and aligned with wider business objectives. Prepare clear, concise and well-supported papers, MI and recommendations for Credit Committee and senior management forums, and present analysis in a way that supports effective challenge, discussion and decision-making. 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), rising to 30 days with service Private Medical Insurance Work from anywhere in the world for up to 30 days per year Group Life Assurance (4x salary) Income Protection Scheme Pension scheme (6% employer contribution, subject to 4% employee contribution) Employee Assistance Programme Two paid volunteering days per year Flexible hybrid working Very competitive family friendly benefits such as enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave for life’s challenges along the way.