Head of Credit Strategy - Non-Bank Lender

Our client is a fast-growing, non-bank residential lender that has disrupted the Australian home loan market since launch. Due to continued growth, they are seeking a Head of Credit Strategy to lead and evolve the credit risk framework, lending policy and overall credit approach across the business.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Risk Officer, this is a senior leadership appointment with genuine influence over business-wide decision-making. You'll shape the direction of credit risk for a scaling lender, balancing strategic policy ownership with hands-on portfolio management.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the Credit Risk Appetite Statement, incorporating market trends, competitive positioning and legislative/regulatory requirements
• Partner with senior leadership to drive the innovation agenda and communicate credit risk changes across the business
• Uplift credit capability across the wider team, including supporting sales/origination teams on policy interpretation and application
• Maintain and drive core governance documents: Risk Appetite Statement, Responsible Lending Obligations, Lending Policy and Delegated Lending Authority (DLA) Framework
• Manage vendor relationships across credit services, including contract negotiation and ongoing performance management
• Represent the business in industry forums, including Australian Retail Credit Association (ARCA) workshops, to help shape credit bureau reporting standards
• Lead probability of default (PD) modelling to inform risk appetite and policy settings across the mortgage portfolio
• Oversee risk control performance across the end-to-end credit value chain - policy waiver trends, rules engine outcomes, DLA decisions/mitigants and quality assurance results
• Lead thematic reviews across key risk dimensions (LVR, postcode concentration, serviceability, employment type/tenure, environmental hazard exposure)

About You

• Deep credit risk expertise across residential mortgages and secured lending
• Strong command of credit policy, risk appetite frameworks and responsible lending obligations under Australian regulatory standards
• Background in banking, non-bank lending or fintech environments
• Proven stakeholder engagement skills, comfortable operating at Board/ExCo level
• Commercial acumen paired with a balanced, pragmatic approach to risk
• Track record leading policy change or strategic credit initiatives, ideally within a high-growth or transformation context

What's on Offer

• Senior leadership role reporting directly into the CRO
• Genuine influence over strategy and enterprise-wide decision-making
• High-growth, innovative and collaborative culture
• Hybrid working model
• Competitive market salary

For a confidential discussion, please apply.

Alternatively, contact Ben Hunt at JS Careers, via ***email_hidden*** or 02 8096 9415