Head of Credit Risk: Credit Risk and Collections Strategy - homechoice (Southern Suburbs (Cape)) at HomeChoice Holdings Limited

Description

• We’re seeking a dynamic, highly motivated individual to lead our Credit Risk and Collections Strategy function. The role focuses on strategic credit risk decisions, collections optimisation, oversight of IFRS 9 provisioning, and input into fraud initiatives, while providing leadership, analytics, and governance across the credit life cycle.

What you will love doing in this role

• Oversee credit risk assessment processes, risk models, scoring systems, underwriting criteria, and end-to-end workflows.
• Lead and implement credit risk policies, collections, and recovery strategies to optimise customer accounts, debtor costs, and cash yields.
• Lead a high-performing team of analysts responsible for forecasting receivables provisions and recoveries.
• Own debtor costs in the income statement and work with Finance on forecasts and reporting.
• Collaborate with Credit Operations to execute and review strategies, recommending improvements as needed.
• Represent Credit Risk in collections strategy and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Design and maintain reporting tools (PowerBi), analytics, and forecasting models; utilise SAS, SQL and data analytics for insights.
• Engage with regulators, auditors, investors, and stakeholders to ensure compliance and manage emerging risks.
• Stay current with regulatory changes, industry trends, and emerging risks in credit management.
• Participate in talent management and capability-building within Credit Risk.
• Provide strategic leadership, fostering innovation, risk awareness, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

What you’ll need to do this role

Qualifications & Accreditations

• Bachelor’s Degree in a numerate discipline (Statistics, Mathematics, or similar); Honors desirable. 

Experience & Skills

• 8+ years’ experience in credit risk, collections strategy, or recoveries, with exposure to retail credit portfolios or related fields within banking, fintech, insurance, or financial services.
• Leadership experience, including managing teams of analysts or managers.
• Strong forecasting and risk strategy expertise with advanced Excel; proficiency in SAS & SQL preferred.
• Proven ability to design and deliver credit risk policies, scoring systems, and governance frameworks.
• Excellent reporting, presentation, and influencing skills at senior and executive levels (Example to prepare and present at Credit Committee and Collections Forum)
• Knowledge of IFRS 9 provisioning principles (oversight level including technical modelling understanding).
• Knowledge of fraud risk controls and early warning indicators in credit portfolios.

What we love about you

• A strong can-do attitude with energy, resilience, and a drive for results.
• An innovative thinker who thrives on solving complex business challenges.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
• Attention to detail and strategic mindset in equal measure.
• A collaborative leader who grows people while holding teams accountable for performance.
• Quick to learn, adaptable, and always looking to raise the bar in credit risk management.

Behaviours we love

• Wow my customer
• Walk in my customers’ shoes
• Deliver on my promises
• Deliver insight-led solutions my customers need

Treat the business as my own

• Take accountability
• Be curious, creative & explore opportunities
• Do it right & at the right time

Play as a team

• Be helpful
• Be inclusive
• Find the fun