Manager-Risk Management

Overview of The Department

Commercial Rating and Underwriting (CRU) sits within the Credit and Fraud Risk (CFR) division and forms the institutional credit risk management function within American Express. The CRU team plays the critical role of assessing and managing the risk of institutional exposures across all business units within American Express, and in all regions globally. Credit exposures are primarily generated through corporate and small business card programs, via merchant service relationships where non-delivery risk exists, and among the securities portfolio held for firm-wide liquidity. CRU is led from Salt Lake City with regional teams in New York, London, Singapore , Sydney and India.

In addition to determining the internal credit rating which drives the probability of default of each exposure, CRU also calculates the loss given default of these obligors while underwriting card programs. As a bank holding company, American Express must comply with the highest global banking standards set by Basel and implemented by the bank’s primarily regulatory, the Federal Reserve.

Job Responsibilities

The CRU Manager is responsible for independently determining credit rating of mid and large corporate borrowers across diversified industries through fundamental analysis, along with underwriting credit exposures. While fundamental analysis incorporates a thorough review of industry, business, financial and country risk coupled with support from internal and external rating model outputs, credit underwriting includes understanding the need for credit extension, profitability of the relationship and program structures.

Role will involve ongoing management and continuous monitoring of portfolio hygiene as well as conducting research and analysis to develop industry/sector expertise and knowledge. Further responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Managing the team workflow and ensure timely completion of assigned activities and maintaining the productivity standards of the team,
• Ensure accuracy of underwriting decisions for himself/herself and the team
• Leading analyst(s) on Coaching & Development, Performance Management, Evaluation and Monitoring
• Attend internal and external stakeholders’ meetings where appropriate to support business outcomes.
• Be current on all firm-wide risk policies and ensure all governance, reporting and data quality requirements are met and maintained for borrowers and borrower groups,

Past Experience

5-8 years with relevant experience gained in Corporate Credit & Risk Management function of a Corporate or Institutional Bank with minimum 3 years of experience as an approving authority and people leader.

Academic Background

• MBA from Top Tier B-School or professional qualification in Accountancy,
• Professional qualifications like Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and/or Financial Risk Manager (FRM), is a plus

Functional/ Technical skills:

• Robust understanding of Financial Statements including Ratio Analysis, Cash Flow Analysis, Accounting Standards, Accounting treatment and Financial Adjustments
• Clear grasp of Corporate Finance concepts and their application