Head of Global Risk

Jeeves is a groundbreaking financial operating system built for global businesses that provides corporate cards, cross-border payments, and spend management software within one unified platform. The company operates across 20+ countries including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, across Europe, and the United States, and serves over 5,000 clients ranging from venture-backed startups to SMBs around the world. With a mission to empower businesses with more efficient and cost-effective financial solutions worldwide, Jeeves combines cutting-edge financial technology with exceptional team expertise to transform the business financial landscape. Jeeves has been recognized as one of The Information's 50 Most Promising Startups in 2023, as well as a Y Combinator Top Company 2021-2023 and won “Fintech of the Year" at the European Fintech Awards.

Since graduating from Y Combinator in 2020, Jeeves has successfully raised over $380 million and is backed by top world-class investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator, CRV, Tencent, Stanford University, Clocktower Ventures, and founders of more than 15 unicorns including David Velez (Nubank), Carlos Garcia (Kavak) and Sebastián Mejía (Rappi).

The Head of Global Risk is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the credit risk strategy, underwriting policies, and overall risk management across the organization’s global operations. This includes managing the end-to-end credit risk, specifically focusing on business lending activities and portfolio management in Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Colombia). This role will lead credit risk management strategies, optimize risk-adjusted returns, and maintain compliance with both internal policies and external regulatory requirements.

The role will report to the CFO as well as work closely with senior leadership to ensure credit policies are aligned with the business objectives, while effectively managing credit risk across diverse markets and industries. The ideal candidate will balance strong credit acumen with a commercial mindset, driving top-line growth while managing risk.

Location: This role is based out of São Paulo, Brazil, and is a full-time position where it is required to come into our office in the Faria Lima area. #LI-Hybrid

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the global credit risk strategy, focusing on business growth while ensuring robust risk mitigation frameworks, with primary focus on Latin American markets; align credit risk management practices with overall business objectives to drive sustainable growth and profitability.
• Serve as a key strategic partner to the CFO and senior leadership in shaping the company’s financial direction, and collaborate with the senior leadership team, providing strategic guidance on credit strategy as well as credit risk exposure and helping to drive business initiatives while managing downside risks.
• Oversee the B2B underwriting process and manage the credit and underwriting teams, ensuring that credit assessments are thorough, aligned with the company’s risk profile, and in compliance with global and regional standards. 
• Lead and refine global credit risk policies, underwriting standards, and risk appetite across diverse business units (corporate lending, trade finance, structured finance, etc.), driving decisioning for large-scale, complex transactions. 
• Leveraging data, develop and enhance robust underwriting and monitoring risk models, and identify new products and opportunities; work cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, Data, and Sales to execute.
• Build and lead a high-performing global credit risk team with a "player/coach" mentality, rolling up sleeves when needed while setting strategic direction; foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and excellence within the credit risk function.
• Provide regular KPI and performance reporting to exec team, BoD, and key stakeholders.
• Partner with Capital Markets to maximize reliable funding sources at optimal cost of funds and launch credit facilities, securitizations and forward flow arrangements.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field; Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in credit risk management, underwriting, and/or commercial lending, with a focus on B2B.
• 5+ years of experience leading a global team of credit risk professionals, ensuring that talent is recruited, developed, and retained to meet the evolving needs of the organization.
• Proven experience in managing credit risk portfolios in Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Colombia), with in-depth knowledge of the region's financial markets, regulatory landscape, and economic conditions.
• In-depth knowledge of credit risk models, credit assessment frameworks, and portfolio management techniques.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements in the global credit space, with particular expertise in LATAM regulatory frameworks.
• Thrives in fast-paced entrepreneurial environment