Senior Leadership Role - Credit Underwriting & Risk Operations
A fast-growing, well-funded international organisation is building a new operational capability in Germany and is seeking a senior leader to take full ownership of a core decision-making function across multiple European markets.
This role combines people leadership, decision accountability, and process ownership within a regulated, data-driven environment. You will be responsible for scaling and managing a multidisciplinary team, ensuring high-quality decisions at pace, and continuously improving frameworks, tools, and controls as the function grows.
The Role
You will lead an expanding Berlin-based team responsible for evaluating applications, setting decision parameters, and ensuring consistency, quality, and risk discipline across several European jurisdictions. The remit includes both day-to-day performance and strategic development of processes, policies, and governance.
Working closely with senior stakeholders across Europe, you will play a key role in balancing commercial outcomes with risk-adjusted performance, contributing to senior decision forums, and supporting the rollout of new products, partners, and markets.
This is a hands-on leadership position suited to someone who enjoys building structure, developing managers, and taking end-to-end responsibility for outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Build, lead, and scale a high-performing operational team in Berlin
- Take full ownership of decision quality, turnaround times, and performance metrics
- Develop and continuously improve decision frameworks, policies, and controls
- Hire, train, and develop managers and specialists within the function
- Act as a senior subject-matter expert in governance and decision forums
- Use data and performance insights to identify bottlenecks and drive improvements
- Collaborate closely with adjacent teams such as compliance, product, and analytics
- Support the launch of new initiatives across European markets
Background & Experience
- Several years' experience in a senior role within a risk-based, regulated, or decision-driven environment
- Proven track record leading and developing teams, including managing managers
- Strong commercial judgement paired with a disciplined, analytical mindset
- Comfortable taking ownership and making decisions with incomplete information
- Experience operating across European markets is advantageous
- Excellent communication skills and stakeholder management capability
- Fluent English required; professional German required
What's on Offer
- A genuine opportunity to build and shape a critical function from an early stage
- High level of autonomy with clear ownership and accountability
- Strong financial backing and long-term growth plans
- Influence beyond your immediate function, with senior visibility
- Competitive remuneration package with long-term upside
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.
That's why we recommend registering your resume so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.
Yes, we help with resume and interview preparation. From customized support on how to optimize your resume to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.