Head of Credit Decision Modelling and Strategy

Starling Bank

. Lead the development, monitoring and maintenance of the Bank’s credit risk decisioning models, including acquisition scorecards and affordability models .

Posted 11/12/2026full-timeLondon • United KingdomLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in credit risk modelling and decisioning strategies within a banking environment, ensuring compliance with UK regulatory standards while leading a high-performing team. Proficient in developing and maintaining credit risk strategies for various lending products, with strong communication and relationship management skills.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Credit Risk ModellingRegulatory CompliancePython ProgrammingTeam LeadershipStakeholder Communication

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Credit Risk ModellingAutomated Decisioning StrategiesModel DevelopmentModel ValidationCredit Risk StrategiesRetail Lending ProductsSME Lending ProductsUnsecured LendingModel Risk GovernanceData Analysis

Soft Skills

InfluencingNegotiationRelationship ManagementCommunicationPresentation Skills

Tools & Technologies

PythonRSAS

Industry Keywords

Credit RiskBankingPRAFCAAsset Management

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the development, monitoring and maintenance of the Bank’s credit risk decisioning models, including acquisition scorecards and affordability models
Develop and monitor automated decisioning strategies for the Bank’s lending products
Define standards for credit risk model development aligned with the Bank’s Model Risk Framework and ensure implementation within the team
Ensure credit risk models and strategies comply with relevant UK regulatory standards, including PRA and FCA requirements
Collaborate with first line Asset Management and Finance teams and other internal stakeholders
Ensure models and standards are thoroughly documented and present outputs to senior stakeholders and committees
Lead and develop a high-performing team of risk modelling analysts and support continuous professional development
Track industry trends and regulatory requirements to enhance the Bank’s credit risk management

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years’ experience in Credit Risk within a Banking environment
Strong experience of credit risk modelling, gained through model development or validation related roles
Strong understanding of retail and SME lending products
Experience of developing and maintaining credit risk strategies, ideally in an unsecured retail lending environment
Experience of a range of lending products (mortgages, unsecured retail lending, SME lending) preferred
Proven experience in influencing, negotiation and relationship management
Strong communication skills, with experience of preparing and presenting documents in relation to models
Coding experience in Python, R, SAS or similar
Good knowledge of model risk governance

Benefits

Comp & perks

25 days holiday (plus take your public holiday allowance whenever works best for you)
An extra day’s holiday for your birthday
Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off
16 hours paid volunteering time a year
Salary sacrifice
Company enhanced pension scheme
Life insurance at 4x your salary
Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth including mental health support and cancer care
Partner benefits including discounts with Waitrose, Mr&Mrs Smith and Peloton
Generous family-friendly policies
Perkbox membership giving access to retail discounts, a wellness platform for physical and mental health, and weekly free and boosted perks
Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work and Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships