Risk Leader

The Risk Leader serves as the company’s primary expert on lending risk. This person will build the risk function from the ground up, creating the framework, setting policies, and implementing controls to support a growing lending platform. Working closely with Servicing and Underwriting, they will assess portfolio performance, strengthen credit guidelines, and drive data-informed decision-making. The role also includes developing fraud-prevention measures and establishing a Quality Control function that will eventually scale into a full team.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and oversee a comprehensive risk management framework across underwriting, servicing, compliance, and operations.
• Develop, document, and maintain all risk policies, procedures, and departmental standards.
• Analyze portfolio performance and partner with Servicing and Underwriting to recommend credit guideline and policy adjustments.
• Create and implement the company’s first formal audit program, including findings methodology, reporting standards, and communication with capital markets and investors.
• Establish and lead a standalone Quality Control function, beginning with hands-on set-up and execution.
• Implement fraud detection and prevention practices, including policies, training, and escalation protocols.
• Serve as the company’s lending risk authority, providing data-driven decisions and guidance to senior leadership.
• Monitor emerging risks, regulatory changes, and industry trends across private lending and RESI.
• Produce clear risk reporting with trends, findings, analytics, and recommended actions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with capital markets, investors, and internal leaders to ensure alignment of risk strategy.

Qualifications

• Extensive mortgage or private lending risk management experience; private lending preferred.
• Proven background building risk policies, procedures, and department frameworks from the ground up.
• Experience designing and executing audit programs and reporting structures.
• Expertise in fraud detection, prevention, training, and escalation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate portfolio data into policy changes.
• Effective communicator with capital markets, investors, and senior leadership.
• Strategic, hands-on operator prepared to scale the risk function.
• Highly organized, proactive, and collaborative, with strong cross-department partnership skills.
• Comfortable working remotely and independently, with the ability to hire and lead a team.