Lead Credit Risk Management – SME (m/f/d)

ABOUT US

Pliant is a European fintech specializing in B2B payment solutions. Our modular, API-first platform helps businesses streamline spending, improve cash flow, and integrate payments into their financial workflows. Designed for industries with complex payment needs, such as travel and fleet, Pliant enables greater efficiency, control, and profitability.

We serve two primary customer segments:

• Companies looking to optimize operational processes through intuitive apps and APIs, gaining control, automation, and financial flexibility through extended credit lines.
• Businesses such as financial software platforms, ERP providers, and banks that want to launch or enhance their credit card offerings using Pliant’s embedded finance and white-label solutions.

Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Berlin, Pliant supports over 4,000 businesses and more than 20 partners globally. As a licensed e-money institution (EMI), we issue Visa-powered credit cards in 11 currencies across more than 30 countries, helping companies streamline and simplify payments.

Learn more at www.getpliant.com

ABOUT THE ROLE 

As Lead Credit Risk Management - SME (m/f/d), you will be responsible for the operational performance and strategic development of the risk function for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), and the leadership of the team. While a strong foundation in credit underwriting is essential, you’ll also bring hands-on coding expertise to directly work with tools to design, implement, and continuously improve data-driven risk strategies.

You will drive initiatives to achieve operational targets, optimize workflows, and continuously support the evolution of our credit tech stack towards automated decision making. You’ll work closely with the Lead for Risk Strategy and the VP of
Credit to align underwriting strategies with business goals. You will also lead the integration of technical data analysis into all aspects of credit risk and directly contribute to business results by underwriting and monitoring customers yourself.

This role will be based in London (hybrid) with some travel from time to time to Berlin. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

• Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of credit risk professionals, setting clear expectations and goals. Providing regular feedback and training to grow the team’s professional capabilities. Create a team culture rooted in ownership, collaboration, and continuous growth.
• Operational performance: Own, measure and drive the team’s achievement of operational KPIs and OKRs. Identify bottlenecks and blockers in workflows and resolve them together with the team. Continuously review and enhance operational processes to reduce handling times while keeping quality within agreed parameters. 
• Automation: Design, develop, test and calibrate credit risk strategies using SQL, Python and other relevant tools. Build robust data pipelines, dashboards, and reports to inform decision-making and monitor strategy performance. Support data integration across existing and new loan operation systems.
• Underwriting: Review credit assessments for SME clients, ensuring high-quality. Ensure documentation, compliance, and transparency across all processes.
• Collaboration: Partner with Data and Engineering teams to embed automation effectively without compromising quality. Align the team’s operational targets, roadmap and project statuses with the 2nd Line of Defense and VP of Credit.
• Communication: Facilitate smooth and fact-based information flow between your colleagues. Support data-driven decision making within the credit risk domain. Support the development of a culture of open dialogue, which is focused on mutual respect and the joint achievement of excellent results.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING 

• Proven operational leadership experience, preferably in a bank or fintech.
• Deep understanding of credit risk underwriting for SME customers, specifically development and execution of automation strategies.
• Strong analytical and data capabilities - strong SQL is essential, with Python and experience in building dashboards as a strong plus. Comfortable with working with APIs and decision engines.
• Fluent in project management techniques such as Agile Development.
• Experience managing teams in fast-paced, tech-enabled environments.
• Demonstrated success in improving operational performance and scaling processes.
• Strong financial and risk analysis skills; familiarity with open banking data and transaction-level insights is a plus.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to drive cross-functional alignment.
• Determination and desire to work in a team to achieve high-quality results for our customers, even under stress.
• Fluent in English; additional European languages are a plus.

WHAT WE OFFER 

• The opportunity to work in a growing team with big responsibilities that thrives on a strong exchange of knowledge and excellence 
• Attractive remuneration
• Flat hierarchy and transparent communication in a relaxed, professional atmosphere
• Opportunity to develop your talent in a dynamic team with ambitious goals
• Flexibility and possibility to work remotely
• Company card with a monthly allowance for lunches, coffee, etc. with co-workers

At Pliant, we believe diversity and inclusion are essential to building not only an innovative product but also an exceptional experience for both our customers and our team. This commitment begins with our hiring process—we welcome individuals of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, religions, national origins, gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, ages, marital statuses, and abilities. If you require accommodations or accessibility support during the interview process, please let us know in your application so we can make sure your experience is seamless.