Freelance Credit Risk Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Coastal Community Bank is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Partner Credit Risk Manager to support oversight of the Bank's partner lending programs across consumer and business portfolios. This role operates within the second line of defense and is responsible for providing independent risk oversight, effective challenge, analytical review, and ongoing monitoring of partner credit programs to ensure alignment with the Bank's credit risk appetite and regulatory expectations.

The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in credit risk management, portfolio analytics, and partner oversight within fintech, embedded finance, or Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) environments. This individual will manage an assigned portfolio of partners and be responsible for independently analyzing portfolio performance and underwriting trends, reviewing and challenging partner credit policy proposals, developing actionable risk insights, and communicating recommendations effectively to senior management and cross-functional stakeholders. The role will collaborate closely with internal teams and external partners to promote a strong risk culture and maintain a well-governed credit environment.

Partner Program Oversight

• Lead the oversight and governance of partner lending programs to ensure alignment with Coastal Bank's credit risk policies, risk appetite, and regulatory expectations
• Evaluate new and existing partner relationships, including underwriting strategies, credit policies, decisioning frameworks, and portfolio performance trends
• Conduct ongoing monitoring and risk reviews of partner portfolios to identify emerging risks, adverse trends, concentration exposures, operational control weaknesses, and portfolio performance deterioration
• Provide independent review and effective challenge of partner credit strategies, policies, program performance, and risk mitigation practices
• Collaborate with business development, product, compliance, and third-party risk teams to ensure partner programs operate within established governance frameworks
• Recommend corrective actions, policy enhancements, or strategic adjustments based on portfolio performance, monitoring results, and evolving risk conditions

Second Line of Defense Responsibilities

• Serve as a second line of defense function providing independent oversight, review, and effective challenge of partner credit risk management practices and lending program performance
• Prepare and present portfolio risk assessments, trend analysis, and emerging risk themes to senior management and governance committees in a clear and actionable manner
• Develop and maintain credit risk policies, standards, monitoring routines, and reporting frameworks for partner-related credit exposures
• Provide oversight of credit risk models and decisioning frameworks, ensuring validation, back-testing, and ongoing performance monitoring are conducted in accordance with model risk governance requirements
• Escalate material risk issues, control gaps, and emerging concerns to senior management through established governance processes
• Support regulatory examinations and internal audit engagements related to partner lending programs and credit risk management practices

Consumer and Business Credit Program Management

• Oversee risk strategies and assigned partner portfolios across consumer and small business lending programs
• Monitor portfolio performance, including delinquencies, charge-offs, fraud losses, concentrations, and vintage trends
• Independently analyze portfolio and underwriting performance data to identify emerging risks, assess underwriting effectiveness, and develop actionable risk mitigation recommendations
• Recommend adjustments to credit policy, underwriting criteria, exposure limits, or partner agreements based on portfolio performance and evolving risk conditions
• Participate in portfolio reviews, stress testing, and concentration risk assessments to support proactive risk management practices

What You'll Bring

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing partner, fintech, or third-party lending programs within a regulated financial institution
• Strong understanding of consumer and small business lending products, including unsecured loans, lines of credit, and card programs
• Knowledge of credit risk management frameworks, portfolio monitoring practices, and second line of defense responsibilities
• Strong understanding of regulatory expectations and guidance applicable to partner banking, including OCC, FDIC, CFPB, and third-party risk management principles
• Experience evaluating underwriting strategies, credit policies, decisioning frameworks, and portfolio performance trends
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to independently interpret complex data, identify material risk trends, and develop actionable recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize portfolio data, underwriting performance, and emerging risk themes into concise and effective communications for senior management and cross-functional stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills with a commitment to timely and accurate execution
• Proficiency in Excel and experience working with large data sets, reporting tools, portfolio analytics platforms, and business intelligence or visualization tools
• Collaborative and professional approach when working with internal stakeholders, strategic partners, legal counsel, compliance, and risk management teams

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field required
• Advanced degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience preferred
• 7+ years of experience in credit risk management, credit administration, underwriting, or portfolio risk management within consumer and/or commercial lending environments
• Experience working with fintech partnerships, embedded finance, or Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) programs preferred
• Experience performing portfolio segmentation analysis, vintage analysis, roll-rate analysis, and performance trending within consumer or small business lending portfolios preferred
• Experience within a regulated financial institution with exposure to partner oversight, third-party risk management, or fintech governance frameworks
• Familiarity with credit risk models, portfolio analytics, stress testing, and performance monitoring methodologies
• Strong proficiency in Excel and experience working with large data sets, reporting tools, portfolio analytics platforms, and business intelligence or visualization

How You'll Thrive at Coastal

• Be the Best – Communicate effectively, pay close attention to detail, and prioritize your personal development.
• Be Relentless – Thrive in a goal-oriented environment exercising both patience and persistence. Advocate for our customers and team members and strive to promote the Coastal Difference.
• Be Un-Bankey – Be a forward thinker with a creative mindset. Build long-lasting relationships promoting the Coastal Difference, built on a foundation of integrity, honesty, and trust.
• Embrace Gray Thinking – Use sound judgment while decision-making and problem-solving. Think outside the box.
• Stay Flexible – Organize and strategize effectively while always being prepared to adapt on the fly. Seek efficiencies for Coastal to work smarter, not harder.
• Take Care of Each Other – Understand what it means to be a true team player and have your teammate's back. Practice self-awareness and build your emotional intelligence.

Being You at Coastal

Coastal is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.

Benefits We Offer

We're proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Our offerings include:

• Medical Coverage: Choose from three competitive medical plans to find the coverage that best fits your needs and lifestyle.
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with eligible medical plans, offering tax advantages and employer contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Options for healthcare and dependent care expenses to help you save on out-of-pocket costs.
• Dental and Vision Insurance: Plans to keep you and your family smiling and seeing clearly.
• Life Insurance: Company-paid basic life insurance with options to purchase additional coverage for yourself and your dependents.
• Long-Term /Short-Term Disability (LTD): Income protection in the event of a long-term illness or injury.
• Supplemental Benefits: Including Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness coverage to provide extra financial support when you need it most.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: A competitive retirement savings plan with company matching to help you plan