Head of Credit Risk

About Sanabil Studio and TradePay

Sanabil Studio operates as a venture builder, combining industry knowledge, technology, and startup methodologies to develop new businesses. The organization supports ventures from concept to launch, providing seed funding and operational assistance for scaling. TradePay is one such venture, focused on building trade finance infrastructure for the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector in Saudi Arabia. TradePay aims to replace informal supplier credit with structured, data-driven working capital solutions, supporting small merchants, mitigating supplier credit risk, and strengthening the FMCG supply chain. The platform is developing a credit system for underbanked merchants, assessing risk through real transaction behavior and operational data across various ecosystem participants.

The Role of Head of Credit Risk

Sanabil Studio is seeking a Head of Credit Risk for TradePay, based in Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This contract position requires 5-10 years of experience. The Head of Credit Risk will be responsible for establishing and leading TradePay's credit risk governance and portfolio risk management functions, reporting directly to the Founder. This role offers a clear progression path to Chief Risk Officer as TradePay expands and transitions into a regulated entity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage TradePay's enterprise credit risk framework and governance model.
• Define and oversee risk appetite, portfolio thresholds, and escalation procedures.
• Formulate and maintain policies for credit, collections, fraud, and operational risk.
• Monitor repayment behavior, manage delinquency, and govern collections processes.
• Establish frameworks for provisioning, write-offs, and portfolio monitoring.
• Review and approve processes for credit overrides and exception management.
• Collaborate with Data and Product teams to ensure underwriting models align with risk policies and operational controls.
• Build governance processes for merchant onboarding, fraud escalation, dispute resolution, and collections.
• Develop reporting frameworks for management, investors, and future regulatory compliance.
• Prepare the business for future licensing and regulatory engagement in Saudi Arabia.
• Support legal and compliance teams in ensuring operational and contractual alignment.
• Lead future risk committee structures and develop risk operations and collections team members.

Performance Measurement

Success in this role will be evaluated based on portfolio quality, delinquency rates, accuracy of provisioning, maturity of governance and policies, regulatory readiness, and the robustness of risk frameworks as TradePay expands.

Work Environment and Compensation

This role involves establishing the foundational risk infrastructure for a fintech platform. The decisions made will directly influence portfolio quality, scalability, and regulatory readiness, impacting the long-term health of the business. The position offers a competitive compensation package that reflects experience and market standards, along with meaningful equity aligned with long-term value creation. New hires receive necessary equipment on the first day. The role includes direct collaboration with the Founder and leadership team, providing mentorship from individuals experienced in building and scaling ventures. The hiring process includes an introductory recruiter conversation, a Founder interview, a case study and framework discussion, and reference checks before an offer is extended.