Credit Risk Manager (Retail Lending)

About the opportunity Are you ready for your next career step? N26 is looking for a Retail Credit Risk Manager to further develop the credit risk function at a cutting-edge technology-driven bank, spearheading the development of our analytical solutions and credit risk models for (Unsecured) Retail Lending, based on state-of-the-art methods and technology, as well as latest regulations in cooperation with leading business and tech experts, and taking a key role in assessing, controlling and reporting credit risks. In this role you will Drive the evolution of retail credit risk frameworks: You will take methodological ownership of the End-to-End (E2E) credit cycle—from origination and monitoring to problem loan management and collections. You will continuously optimize decision engines and cut-off strategies to ensure profitable, regulatory-sound growth of the unsecured lending portfolio. Steer model governance and innovation: You will oversee the development, calibration, and maintenance of N26’s suite of credit risk models (PD, LGD, CCF, Debt-Servicing Ability, Early Warning Systems). You will guide the team in applying Machine Learning methodologies and advanced transactional data to enhance predictive power while ensuring model explainability and governance. Oversee portfolio health and provisioning: You will be responsible for the continuous monitoring of portfolio quality and the accuracy of loan loss provisioning under IFRS 9. You will derive strategic insights from risk data to adjust risk appetite and advise Business and Product teams on portfolio trends. Implement cutting-edge process controls: As our retail credit process is fully automated, you will design and maintain robust automated process controls and monitoring frameworks. You will leverage modern technology to ensure that all automated decisions remain within defined risk parameters and regulatory guardrails in real-time. Master Data Management: You will oversee the quality, availability, and lineage of credit risk data. You will ensure the team manages the data basis effectively for reporting and modeling, ensuring consistency across internal databases and external sources. Ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence: You will ensure full adherence to prudential (MaRisk, EBA Guidelines) and consumer/data regulations (GDPR, EU AI Act). You will act as the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors as well as external supervisory inquiries regarding retail credit risk. Lead and develop a high-performing team: You will manage, mentor, and develop a team of credit risk experts. You will foster a culture of cross-functional collaboration, working closely with Product, Finance, and Data Scientists in a matrix environment to deliver shared business goals. What you need to be successful Background Professional Experience: You have 5+ years of experience in Credit Risk Management within the retail segment. Ideally, you bring a combination of experience from a well-established Retail Bank (building solid foundations) and a high-growth environment/challenger bank (adapting to speed and innovation). Quantitative Academic Background: You hold a BSc/MSc in a quantitative field such as Applied Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Quantitative Finance, Statistics, Econometrics, or Engineering. Additional qualifications (e.g. PhD, FRM) are a plus. European Market Expertise: You demonstrate genuine industry expertise in retail credit risk management for the European market, with a deep understanding of unsecured lending products and consumer behavior. Skills Credit Processes Controls: You have the ability to build and manage the End-to-End (E2E) credit process cycle. This includes designing frameworks for loan granting, portfolio monitoring, and Early Warning Systems (EWS). You also oversee intensified loan management and problem loan management, including debt collections strategies. You ensure robust underlying controls ... (truncated, view full listing at source)