Credit Risk Governance Director, Small Business Banking

The role:

We are seeking a seasoned credit risk leader to develop, oversee, and continuously improve the risk governance framework for Small Business Banking products. This leadership position requires a strategic thinker with extensive experience in credit risk, small business banking and money movement, a solid understanding of FinTech operations, and the ability to lead a high-performing team. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the continued success of our credit risk strategy.This role will establish and maintain risk policies, controls, reporting, and oversight mechanisms that ensure sustainable growth, regulatory compliance, and robust risk management across all small business banking products, including lending products.

What you'll do:

Risk Governance & Framework Development

• -Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive risk governance framework for Small Business Banking

• Provide oversight across risk types for all product and feature launches as well as partner with 1LOD risk owners on ensuring we are appropriately identifying, monitoring, and mitigating risks as part of our framework programs as we scale and grow this business.

• Oversee credit risk policies, underwriting standards, credit guidelines, and portfolio management procedures.

• Establish governance routines including reporting to risk committees

• Challenge and validate new account strategies to minimize risk.

• Assist with regulator/auditor requests and remediation plans.

Portfolio Risk Management

• Monitor portfolio performance, early warning indicators, and key risk metrics; ensure issues are escalated promptly.

• Analyze macroeconomic data for business impact forecasts, trend analysis, and stress scenarios viability.

• Recommend strategy adjustments based on performance results, market conditions, and regulatory developments.

What you'll need:

• 10+ years of experience in credit risk management, underwriting, or risk governance in Small Business Lending or adjacent commercial/small-ticket lending segments.

• Deep understanding of small-business banking and credit products, including term loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, merchant cash products, checking or embedded finance.

• Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks (ECOA, Fair Lending, UDAAP, SBA SOPs) and portfolio risk management practices.

• Experience specifically with stress testing, model analytics, benchmarking, and review/challenge functions.

• Demonstrable ability to provide robust oversight, review, and challenge of risk management processes, portfolio risk reports, and credit data.

• Comprehensive understanding of credit analysis, counterparty risk, risk measurements, and portfolio stress testing. Knowledge of scenario design, sensitivity shocks, macroeconomic variables, and the risk identification process. Proficiency in using risk management tools and exposure monitoring processes.

• Exceptional analytical, communication, and executive presence skills.