Description

SVP,Credit Risk - HF & RMF

Location: London
Search conducted on behalf of a leading global financial institution

The Opportunity

I am partnering with a major global financial institution to appoint an exceptional SVP, Senior Credit Risk Manager to lead Hedge Fund (HF) and Real Money Fund (RMF) credit risk coverage across the EMEA region.

This is a high-impact, strategic hire for the business and offers a visible leadership platform within their global Markets & Risk function. The individual will take ownership of underwriting, portfolio oversight, governance, and senior stakeholder engagement across a sophisticated and diverse buy‑side counterparty portfolio.

The role requires a strong blend of technical credit expertise, commercial judgment, and the ability to influence senior decision-makers across multiple regions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Underwriting

• Lead and challenge the full underwriting cycle for hedge fund and real money fund counterparties.
• Conduct senior-level due diligence meetings and present findings to internal committees.
• Produce rigorous, decision-ready credit assessments with clear, concise recommendations.
• Provide strategic insight into fund strategies, market dynamics, and emerging risks.

Portfolio Oversight & Risk Management

• Oversee exposure monitoring, limit utilisation, triggers, and stress-testing for the EMEA funds portfolio.
• Identify key risks across strategies, structures, and market conditions, escalating as appropriate.
• Approve credit requests within SVP authority and guide more complex approvals through senior committees.
• Support broader portfolio shaping discussions aligned to risk appetite and business objectives.

Governance, Frameworks & Policy Development

• Contribute to ongoing enhancements in HF/RMF underwriting frameworks, methodologies, and risk assessment tools.
• Partner with global stakeholders to ensure consistency across regions.
• Drive improvements in governance, data quality, and monitoring capabilities.
• Support development and evolution of credit risk policies relating to funds and NBFIs.

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration

• Act as a senior contact point for Front Office, Legal, Compliance, Operations, and global Risk teams.
• Represent the HF/RMF credit function in senior internal forums and governance groups.
• Build strong relationships with business partners to support strategic growth while maintaining prudent risk standards.
• Collaborate across global offices to align underwriting standards and share best practices.

Skills & Experience Sought

• Significant experience in counterparty credit risk, ideally focused on hedge funds, real money funds, or broader alternatives/NBFI coverage.
• Deep understanding of due diligence, underwriting, fund structures, leverage, and complex risk drivers.
• Strong product knowledge across derivatives, prime brokerage, securities financing, and structured solutions.
• Proven ability to interrogate complex portfolios and provide senior-level credit judgement.
• Familiarity with ISDA/CSA, GMRA, and GMSLA documentation and associated credit terms.
• Excellent communicator able to influence and challenge effectively at senior levels.
• Leadership presence with the ability to mentor junior staff and elevate team standards.
• Commercially minded, proactive, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related discipline.
• Advanced professional accreditations such as CFA, FRM, CQF, or a master's degree are advantageous.
• Strong exposure to stress testing, modelling, risk analytics, and exposure measurement tools.
• Proficiency across major risk systems and financial analysis platforms.
• Strong understanding of the regulatory landscape for non‑bank financial institutions.