Risk, Sr Associate - High-Risk Portfolio Management (UK)

Overview

As a Risk Senior Associate, you will be the primary gatekeeper for our most complex and high-risk merchant portfolios.  You will assess new and existing high-brand risk applications to identify regulatory, reputational, and financial risks. This role involves applying card scheme rules, monitoring ongoing activity, analyzing financials and preparing reports for stakeholders. The position requires cross-functional collaboration to mitigate risk, ensure compliance, and support process improvements across the business.

Responsibilities will include:

• Conduct deep-dive assessments of high-brand risk applications (e.g., Gaming, Crypto, Adult) to identify regulatory, reputational, and financial exposure.
• Working closely with the underwriting officers to get an overall view of a merchant application.
• Ongoing reviews of merchant accounts to ensure processing is still in line with expectations.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of card scheme rules, with an ability to apply said rules during a risk assessment.
• Raise suspicious activity reports with both our UK and EU MLRO.
• Liaise with merchants during scheme investigations.
• Assess merchant’s business models and financial position through proper financial statement analysis to identify potential risks and escalate issues appropriately. 
• Setting merchant collateral to mitigate financial risk.
• Regular liaison with various departments to understand and explain the risk exposed by new and existing merchants.
• Preparation of regular reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain and adjust Risk Assessments in line with both the Customer Acceptance Policy and Risk Appetite Policy of the company.
• Developing new monitoring structures to identify concerning activity in both the merchant’s and portfolio’s performance.
• Preparation of visual monthly reports to facilitate the explanation of Risk findings.
• Take necessary measures to minimize the risk exposure of the company as guided by senior management.
• Keep abreast of the latest updates in the various card scheme rules and regulations.
• Maintaining ongoing relationships with the various stakeholders and keeping them up-to-date with any updates within the risk framework of the company.
• Liaise with other departments in view of making existing processes more efficient whilst constantly looking for new and improved ways to streamline processes and workloads.
• Any ad hoc duties as requested by management 

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Experience operating within the high-risk sector of Fintech or Merchant acquiring environment.
• Deep technical familiarity with Visa and Mastercard rules, specifically regarding high-risk registration programs.
• Proven ability to analyze complex corporate structures and financial statements to assess credit and fraud risk.
• Proficiency in CRM tools, Excel and other operational and reporting tools.
• Clear communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Detail-oriented, analytical, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.

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We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.