Head of Credit & Risk Strategy

Role Overview

theBNK is building a next-generation SME funding platform focused on the Canadian market, with long-term ambitions to scale internationally across multiple territories

The Head of Credit & Risk Strategy will play a key role in designing, building, and evolving the future credit and risk infrastructure of the business

This is not a traditional underwriting management role

The position combines:

• Credit strategy
• Underwriting model development
• Risk framework design
• Portfolio analytics
• Data-driven decisioning
• Automation and AI-assisted systems
• Credit technology integration
• Operational scalability

The successful candidate will help shape the future internal lending capability of the business while contributing toward a scalable global fintech vision

Core Responsibilities

Credit & Risk Framework Development

Design and maintain:

• Credit policies and risk frameworks
• Underwriting methodologies
• Risk grading systems
• Industry segmentation models
• Approval and exception logic
• Portfolio monitoring structures
• Exposure and concentration controls
• Early warning indicators

Underwriting & Decision Infrastructure

Develop scalable underwriting logic for:

• Merchant Cash Advance (MCA)
• Revenue-based financing
• SME working capital products
• Alternative lending products

Support the build of:

• Automated underwriting workflows
• AI-assisted decision environments
• Risk matrices and scorecards
• Pricing and exposure models
• Portfolio monitoring systems
• Intelligent underwriting infrastructure

Portfolio Analytics & Monitoring

Monitor and analyze:

• Default trends
• Exposure concentration
• Industry risk
• Merchant performance
• Holdback levels
• NSF behavior
• Portfolio quality
• Renewal and top-up trends

Develop reporting frameworks and dashboards to support strategic risk and growth decisions

Technology & Systems Collaboration

Work closely with Product, Operations and Technology teams to support:

• Credit workflow design
• CRM integrations
• Automation initiatives
• Decision systems
• Reporting environments
• Underwriting tools
• Data infrastructure

Translate credit logic into scalable operational and technology processes

Ideal Candidate Profile

Preferred Experience

Experience in one or more of the following:

• Alternative lending
• Merchant Cash Advance
• SME finance
• Commercial lending
• Fintech underwriting
• Portfolio management
• Revenue-based financing
• Credit risk analytics
• Underwriting operations

Technical Exposure

Advantageous exposure to:

• SQL
• Power BI
• APIs and integrations
• Workflow automation
• AI-assisted systems
• Data analytics
• Credit technology
• Decision infrastructure

Behavioural Fit

We are specifically seeking someone who:

• Thinks commercially and strategically
• Enjoys building from zero
• Is systems-oriented
• Challenges traditional finance thinking
• Is comfortable in startup environments
• Balances growth with disciplined risk
• Is execution-focused and adaptable
• Has a strong interest in the future of fintech and intelligent lending systems

We are intentionally seeking builders, innovators, and disruptive thinkers rather than traditional institutional finance operators

Long-Term Opportunity

This role is expected to evolve into a strategic leadership position as the business scales international

Potential future progression:

Head of Credit
→ Head of Risk & Strategy
→ Chief Risk Officer (CRO)

Expansion focus includes:

• Canada
• UK
• Australia
• UAE
• Additional underserved SME markets globally

Work Location: In person