Credit Risk Expert – Retail Lending (Contract)

Position: Credit Risk Expert – Retail Lending

Location: Saudi Arabia

Type: Advisor

About Us:

We are a venture studio developing an open banking-powered credit decision engine that will serve as a core solution for lending platforms across Saudi Arabia. Our mission is to transform credit accessibility and decision-making in the Saudi market by leveraging real-time open banking data and advanced analytics, providing a streamlined, compliant, and data-driven approach to credit assessment.

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Credit Risk Expert to lead the credit risk framework and policies for our credit decision engine. This role involves in-depth knowledge of open banking data, particularly relevant endpoints, and expertise in credit risk management tailored to the Saudi lending ecosystem. The Credit Risk Expert will work closely with the team to ensure the engine aligns with regulatory standards and meets diverse lending platform needs.

Key Responsibilities:

Credit Risk Framework Development: Design and implement initial credit risk policies and procedures that provide a foundation for the credit decision engine. Ensure these policies are adaptable, align with Saudi regulatory standards, and can be refined as the engine evolves.Open Banking Data Utilization: Identify and integrate key open banking data endpoints (e.g., income, spending patterns) that are most relevant for assessing borrower creditworthiness. Prioritize data points that will enhance the engine's predictive power and support effective credit evaluations.Risk Evaluation and Scoring Criteria: Develop basic thresholds and scoring criteria for categorizing borrower profiles by risk level. These criteria should provide straightforward, data-driven insights into creditworthiness and lay the groundwork for future refinements.Compliance and Regulatory Alignment: Establish foundational compliance guidelines aligned with SAMA (Saudi Central Bank) regulations. Focus on data privacy, consent, and fair lending practices. Set up basic documentation and a channel for regulatory updates, ensuring the engine is prepared for future regulatory assessments.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in finance, economics, accounting, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in credit risk and risk management within the lending or fintech sector, ideally in Saudi Arabia.
• Proven experience working with open banking data and familiarity with key endpoints for credit decisioning.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi regulations, including SAMA guidelines for lending and credit risk.
• Proficiency with credit risk engines and data-driven credit assessment tools.
• Experience collaborating with regulators to ensure compliance.
• Excellent analytical skills, with attention to detail and the ability to turn complex data into actionable insights.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective cross-functional collaboration.