
Head of Credit Risk: Credit Risk and Collections Strategy - homechoice
- Western Cape
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Oversee credit risk assessment processes, risk models, scoring systems, underwriting criteria, and end-to-end workflows.
- Lead and implement credit risk policies, collections, and recovery strategies to optimise customer accounts, debtor costs, and cash yields.
- Lead a high-performing team of analysts responsible for forecasting receivables provisions and recoveries.
- Own debtor costs in the income statement and work with Finance on forecasts and reporting.
- Collaborate with Credit Operations to execute and review strategies, recommending improvements as needed.
- Represent Credit Risk in collections strategy and ensure alignment with business objectives.
- Design and maintain reporting tools (PowerBi), analytics, and forecasting models; utilise SAS, SQL and data analytics for insights.
- Engage with regulators, auditors, investors, and stakeholders to ensure compliance and manage emerging risks.
- Stay current with regulatory changes, industry trends, and emerging risks in credit management.
- Participate in talent management and capability-building within Credit Risk.
- Provide strategic leadership, fostering innovation, risk awareness, and continuous improvement.
- Bachelor’s Degree in a numerate discipline (Statistics, Mathematics, or similar); Honors desirable.
- 8+ years’ experience in credit risk, collections strategy, or recoveries, with exposure to retail credit portfolios or related fields within banking, fintech, insurance, or financial services.
- Leadership experience, including managing teams of analysts or managers.
- Strong forecasting and risk strategy expertise with advanced Excel; proficiency in SAS & SQL preferred.
- Proven ability to design and deliver credit risk policies, scoring systems, and governance frameworks.
- Excellent reporting, presentation, and influencing skills at senior and executive levels (Example to prepare and present at Credit Committee and Collections Forum)
- Knowledge of IFRS 9 provisioning principles (oversight level including technical modelling understanding).
- Knowledge of fraud risk controls and early warning indicators in credit portfolios.
- A strong can-do attitude with energy, resilience, and a drive for results.
- An innovative thinker who thrives on solving complex business challenges.
- Exceptional stakeholder management, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
- Attention to detail and strategic mindset in equal measure.
- A collaborative leader who grows people while holding teams accountable for performance.
- Quick to learn, adaptable, and always looking to raise the bar in credit risk management.
- Wow my customer
- Walk in my customers’ shoes
- Deliver on my promises
- Deliver insight-led solutions my customers need
- Treat the business as?my own
- Take accountability
- Be curious, creative & explore opportunities
- Do it right & at the right time
- Play as a team
- Be helpful
- Be inclusive
- Find the fun