Credit Risk Lead

Join Our Mission: Reshaping Canadian Business Finance

At Keep, we embarked on a journey driven by a fundamental question: Why hasn’t the banking experience evolved at the same pace as technology? This inquiry continues to ignite our passion for fundamentally reshaping the Canadian fintech landscape.

We provide businesses with a cutting-edge, comprehensive suite of cross-border banking services, encompassing everything from corporate credit cards and deposit accounts to efficient currency conversion and flexible revenue financing. Our team comprises seasoned global startup veterans with a history of successful ventures, united by a commitment to position Keep as Canada’s premier next-generation fintech institution. Backed by leading fintech VCs, we are accelerating our growth, expanding our reach, and making a significant impact like never before.

Opportunity: Credit Risk Lead – Architect Our Credit Engine

Are you ready to take the reins and architect the core of a dynamic, rapidly growing fintech platform? We are seeking a visionary Credit Risk Lead to assume complete ownership of our credit strategy and policy. This is explicitly *not* a support function—it is a high-impact leadership position demanding real accountability and strategic foresight.

You will be the driving force behind building robust analytical dashboards, conducting deep dives into loan performance, continuously refining our underwriting models, and collaborating intensely across departments to ensure smarter, faster, and profoundly accurate credit decisions. If you thrive at the vital intersection of data science, risk management, and strategic business building, and aspire to construct the enduring credit engine of an innovative fintech startup, this is the unparalleled opportunity you’ve been seeking.

Who You Are: The Ideal Credit Risk Architect

We’re searching for a strategic, analytical, and hands-on leader with a unique blend of experience and mindset:

A Proven Credit Policy Builder: You have a demonstrable history of building or significantly evolving a credit policy within a lending environment, possessing a deep understanding of the complex variables, iterative processes, and inherent trade-offs involved.

Fintech-Native Perspective: You have experience operating within the fintech ecosystem and clearly understand the fundamental differences between underwriting in technology-driven environments versus traditional financial services institutions.

SMB Underwriting Acumen (or Rapid Learner): You are comfortable navigating the nuances of small business underwriting or possess the exceptional curiosity and capability to quickly learn and master its unique challenges.

Strategic Navigator: You naturally approach challenges strategically, consistently asking the right questions, skillfully guiding discussions with stakeholders, and maintaining a sharp focus on balancing the company’s overall risk-reward profile.

Deeply Analytical & Probing: You are intensely analytical and possess an innate curiosity that drives you beyond surface-level data. You don’t just consume data; you question it, uncover hidden patterns, and leverage these insights to make informed, impactful decisions that shape our credit future.

What You’ll Do: Command Our Credit Landscape

As our Credit Risk Lead, you will hold end-to-end accountability for the health and evolution of our credit function. This critical mandate includes:

Architecting and Owning the Credit Policy: Taking full responsibility for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of our core credit strategy and policy, driven by performance data and business objectives.

Driving Loan Book Performance Analytics: Establishing and maintaining sophisticated dashboards and reporting to monitor the health of our loan book, analyze default rates, and stratify portfolio risk across key variables.

Iterating on Underwriting Models: Analyzing performance data to refine our underwriting models, adjusting risk weightings, variables, and logic. You will collaborate closely with our Engineering and Data teams to ensure seamless implementation.

Championing Cross-Functional Alignment: Partnering effectively with Operations, Sales, Finance, and Engineering teams to ensure the credit strategy is understood, aligned, and flawlessly executed across the entire organization.

Leading Proactive Risk Management: Identifying potential credit risks early in the cycle and proactively developing and proposing mitigations before they impact the business.

Initiating Strategic Growth Projects: Identifying opportunities to enhance credit performance and proposing and leading strategic initiatives that contribute to the evolution and expansion of our lending products.

Building for Future Scale: Developing the long-term credit strategy frameworks, processes, and systems necessary to scale efficiently as Keep grows and explores new market opportunities.

Why Keep? Why This Role?

Choosing where to invest your talent is a significant decision. Here’s why we believe Keep and this Credit Risk Lead opportunity offer a compelling next step:

Unmatched Impact & Ownership:

This role provides unparalleled ownership over a core business function. You have the rare chance to truly architect how we lend, directly influencing revenue, risk, and product strategy. You will not just build on existing structures but create and iterate your own. Your contributions will have direct executive visibility and a clear impact on key business outcomes. You will be at the heart of scaling a high-impact lending product while strategically balancing growth and risk.

Innovative Culture & Environment:

Join a pioneering fintech startup dedicated to building a truly modern financial ecosystem for Canadian SMBs. Be part of a team that is genuinely rewriting the rules for how businesses access credit, spend, and grow. We thrive in a culture that prizes autonomy, accountability, clear thinking, rigorous problem-solving, and authentic cross-functional collaboration. Enjoy a flexible, remote-friendly work environment with a team that is passionate about our mission and genuinely enjoys building together.

Is This Role Right For You? Setting Expectations

We believe in transparency to ensure this is a mutual fit. This opportunity might present challenges if:

You are accustomed only to the rigid structures and established processes of traditional financial institutions; the rapid pace, constant change, and inherent ambiguity of a growth-stage fintech startup require comfort with iteration and building from the ground up.

You require highly detailed instructions for every task; this role demands significant initiative, autonomy, and proactive problem-solving without constant direction.

Your preference is primarily analysis over iterative problem-solving and execution; the level of direct ownership means you’re not just identifying issues but driving the solutions, often through rapid testing and iteration.

You prefer working in isolation; success in this role is deeply rooted in seamless cross-functional collaboration and team problem-solving.

Our Hiring Process: Your Journey to Keep

We value your time and aim for a clear, structured process:

1. People Screening (30 min): An initial conversation to explore cultural alignment, strategic perspective, and analytical thinking.

2. Peer Interview (45 min): Dive deeper into your fintech experience, familiarity with small business underwriting, and collaborative approach.

3. Hiring Manager Interview with Josh, CFO (45 min): A detailed discussion about your experience managing credit portfolios and shaping policy at a strategic level.

4. Project Presentation: Showcase your practical skills by presenting your approach to refining a credit model, evaluating risk scenarios, and managing stakeholder collaboration.

5. References: We’ll connect with a few individuals who can speak to your past work and collaboration style.

6. Offer: Hopefully, the exciting final step!

Discover More About Keep

Curious to learn more about our journey, culture, and what it’s like to be a “Keeper”?

Explore our website to understand our fintech vision and product suite. Check out our Glassdoor reviews to hear directly from the team. Follow us on LinkedIn for company news and updates, and visit our careers page for details on values and benefits.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Keep is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

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