Credit Risk Identification & Risk Appetite Manager

Role Description

SMBC is seeking a Vice President to lead the ongoing enhancement of credit risk identification and risk appetite framework across the Americas Division portfolio. This role will govern the credit risk metrics process, partnering with Lines of Business to identify, measure, assess, and manage potential credit risks. The Vice President will collaborate with senior leadership, Finance, and the Credit Department to establish and monitor the bank’s risk appetite limits, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and resource availability. Additionally, the role will support improvements to underwriting standards and documentation, and coordinate with stakeholders to refine credit risk guidelines. 

Role Objectives: Delivery

• Conduct regular materiality assessments of potential portfolio risks leveraging credit risk taxonomy and risk identification process across all lines of business
• Assist in identifying appropriate methodology and data sources to appropriately quantify financial as well as non-financial risks
• Track emerging risks and ensure they are accounted for in the risk identification inventory.
• Lead the governance of the credit risk metrics annual review process to re-evaluate the credit metrics ensuring alignment with business objectives and credit risk appetite.
• Support the effort to enhance and manage the credit risk appetite framework, manage the credit risk appetite process, and work with various stakeholders to enhance credit risk metrics.
• Interact with Business Units to help support, enhance, and adjust risk control measures, credit underwriting standards and guidelines, and maintain ongoing communications with business units and credit approval functions to effectively guide businesses within such controls and authorities.
• Synthesize credit matters and develop contextual content for presentations to senior management and regulators.
• Mentor junior members of the team

Role Objectives: Interpersonal

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to solicit input and distill complex credit issues and concepts that are accessible to all stakeholders with different experience levels.
• Proven leadership skills with both direct reports, colleagues, and senior management.
• Able to work well across functions and levels of expertise, to solicit and capture multiple points of view; render information so that it is accurate and actionable.
• Ability to communicate appropriately at every level of the organization, including credit risk peers, business partners, senior executives, and external regulators.

Role Objectives: Expertise

• Expert understanding of credit risk management concepts and rating methodologies, proficient understanding of commercial credit products, and knowledge of U.S. and international regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• In-depth knowledge of the end-to-end lifecycle of credit (e.g., underwriting, ongoing monitoring, workout / collections) and working knowledge of credit risk management frameworks and systems (e.g., 3 lines of defense, risk appetite, risk ratings).
• Experience with credit process management (i.e., approval flows; credit committee process and governance, etc.) related to credit approval and on-going monitoring.
• Excellent analytical skills; intellectually curious; problem-solving abilities and the ability synthesize complex issues; strong attention to detail.
• Project management experience preferred.

Qualifications and Skills

• 7+ years of experience in the financial services industry
• Experience in global financial services is preferred
• Education:
  • Required: Bachelor’s degree in Finance or related field
  • Preferred: Advanced degree or certification, such as MBA, FRM, or other Risk Management certifications