Head of Credit Risk & Platforms
About the role
We’re seeking an experienced Head of Credit Risk & Platforms to lead the day-to-day operation of Debenhams Group’s lending practices, credit platforms and associated systems across our Pay + Financial Services proposition.
This role holds end-to-end accountability for the full credit risk lifecycle; from customer acquisition and credit decisioning through to collections, recoveries and fraud prevention. You’ll play a critical role in ensuring we lend responsibly, deliver good customer outcomes, and balance risk with sustainable profitability.
Working closely with the Chief Financial Officer and wider leadership team, you’ll shape and execute credit and fraud strategies that optimise customer acceptance, credit limits and lifetime value, while remaining fully aligned to regulatory expectations. The role operates as a Certified Individual under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR).
What you’ll be doing
Credit risk strategy & governance
- Own and oversee the end-to-end credit risk lifecycle, ensuring robust, proportionate systems and controls are in place
- Support the Chief Risk & Compliance Officer in maintaining responsible lending practices and mitigating financial crime risk
- Balance credit risk appetite with commercial objectives, optimising acceptance rates, credit limits and profitability
- Stand in for the Chief Risk & Compliance Officer as required
Customer acquisition
- Design, implement and oversee credit scoring models and lending criteria to optimise acquisition while managing risk
- Monitor and adjust credit risk appetite and thresholds in line with market conditions, business objectives and risk appetite
- Partner closely with Product teams to ensure customer targeting aligns with credit risk strategy
Customer management
- Develop lifecycle monitoring and management strategies that mitigate risk profitably
- Use data analytics to continuously refine credit policies and customer management practices
Collections & recoveries
- Design and deliver effective collections and recoveries strategies to minimise credit losses
- Oversee the management of delinquent accounts, ensuring customers are treated fairly and in line with legal and regulatory requirements
Credit platforms & product construct
- Collaborate with Product teams to ensure the core credit platform operates in line with customer and business expectations
- Ensure credit product constructs deliver a coherent, compliant customer experience aligned to credit documentation
- Work closely with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure credit products perform as designed through testing, monitoring and reporting
Fraud risk
- Design and oversee credit fraud strategies across both acquisition and spend
- Monitor fraud performance, tuning ID&F tooling to minimise fraud and false positives while maximising genuine customer access and spend
- Collaborate with Group Payments and Fraud leadership to ensure alignment between payments and credit fraud strategies
Data, insight & reporting
- Leverage advanced data analytics to drive insight and inform decision-making across the credit lifecycle
- Develop and maintain comprehensive credit risk and fraud reporting for internal and external stakeholders
- Present clear findings, insights and recommendations to senior leadership and the Board
Leadership & delivery
- Recruit, develop and retain a high-performing team of credit risk, fraud and analytics professionals
- Drive continuous improvement, cost efficiency and high standards of delivery within the function
- Identify, communicate and seamlessly deliver business change into production
- Partner with the Head of Service Delivery to manage supplier and third-party relationships
What we’re looking for
Essential
- Extensive experience across all areas of credit risk management throughout the customer lifecycle
- Strong knowledge of FCA regulation and relevant regulatory frameworks
- Proven track record of designing and delivering effective credit risk and fraud strategies
- Strong analytical capability with excellent risk, change and decision-making skills
- Demonstrated leadership experience, with the ability to build and motivate high-performing teams
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- High levels of integrity, professionalism and accountability
Desirable
- Experience leading credit risk teams and strategies for retail revolving credit or Buy Now, Pay Later products
WORKING WITH US
At Debenhams Group, we thrive on change, innovation and pace. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries. If you embrace the unknown, thrive in a fast-moving, high-growth environment and want to shape the future of retail, you’ll feel right at home here.
We’re looking for visionaries, disruptors and doers; people who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy and the drive to make an impact.
WHY JOIN US
Our mission is to create a workplace where everyone is respected, individual differences are valued, and people can be themselves at work — without exception.
2025 was a year of significant change for the Group. 2026 is about bold moves, real results and unstoppable momentum. If that excites you, you belong at Debenhams Group.
Our benefits include (subject to level and eligibility):
- Highly competitive bonus scheme, company pension, share schemes, private medical cover and life assurance
- Access to an on-site gym and free weekly Pilates, yoga and fitness classes
- 20% discount across all brands
- Comprehensive wellbeing package
- Dog-friendly offices (in selected locations)
- Ongoing learning and development with strong internal progression
- On-site canteen serving breakfast, lunch, snacks and hot drinks
- Free season ticket loan
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