Associate Director - Credit Risk Strategy - Underwriting & Fraud

About the Role:

This is a high-impact leadership role within the credit risk function, focused on designing and optimizing underwriting strategies and managing first-party fraud risk across the customer lifecycle.

You will play a critical role in balancing growth, risk, and profitability by building data-driven decisioning frameworks, while also leading a team of risk professionals and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders.

The role demands a strong blend of analytics, strategy, and team leadership, with hands-on involvement in data analysis using SQL/Python and deep exposure to consumer credit risk in banking, NBFC, or fintech environments.

Key Responsibilities:

Credit Risk Strategy & Underwriting

- Design and implement credit underwriting strategies across originations, line management, and renewals

- Develop decision rules, score cut-offs, and segmentation frameworks using bureau and alternate data

- Analyze portfolio performance (vintages, cohorts, segments) and drive data-backed strategy improvements

- Leverage SQL and Python to extract, transform, and analyze large datasets for decisioning insights

Fraud Risk (First-Party Focus)

- Identify and analyze first-party fraud patterns across the credit lifecycle

- Build and optimize fraud detection rules, triggers, and prevention strategies

- Collaborate with product, operations, and collections teams to strengthen fraud control frameworks and feedback loops

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

- Lead and mentor a team of 5-10 risk analysts/strategists

- Work closely with business, product, and senior leadership to influence credit strategy decisions

- Present insights and recommendations to executive stakeholders

Skills & Experience Required:

- 8+ years of experience in Credit Risk / Underwriting Strategy / Fraud Risk

- Prior experience in Banking, NBFCs, Fintech, or Credit Risk Consulting

- Strong exposure to consumer lending portfolios

Technical Skills:

- Advanced proficiency in SQL (complex queries, joins, large dataset handling)

- Strong hands-on experience in Python (pandas, data analysis, basic modeling)

- Experience working with bureau data and third-party data sources

Functional Expertise:

Deep understanding of:

- Credit decisioning frameworks

- Underwriting strategy design

- Portfolio analytics (vintage/cohort analysis)

- First-party fraud risk management

Leadership & Communication:

- Proven experience in team management (5-10 members)

- Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills

- Ability to translate complex data into business insights and strategic decisions