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Zip Co

Vice President, US, Customer Acquisition Risk Strategy

Zip Co, New York, New York, us, 10261

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1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

A seasoned credit risk leader with deep expertise in consumer lending, including new customer acquisition strategies, pricing, underwriting, and lifetime value optimization

A collaborative, people-first operator who uses data to drive credit and fraud strategy, partners effectively across functions, and champions experimentation, innovation, and advanced analytics to enable sustainable growth

Remote-first opportunity for US-based employees with the option to work in-person out of our Manhattan office

Overview Join Zip’s New Customer Acquisition Risk team, responsible for approving new customers, allocating initial spending power, and optimizing the sign-up funnel to enhance customer experience and drive merchant value. As Vice President, US Customer Acquisition Risk Strategy, you’ll lead credit strategies that shape customer lifetime value overseeing approval logic, identity verification, initial exposure decisions, and pricing inputs. You’ll scale risk capabilities, integrate alternative and cash flow data, and ensure our credit decisions remain responsive to customer needs and market dynamics.

This role is highly cross-functional and analytically rigorous. You’ll work closely with Product, Engineering, Data Science, Finance, and Compliance to execute on high-impact strategies and influence Zip’s risk appetite. You’ll lead a high-performing, distributed team, using advanced analytics to surface insights and continuously improve performance. Your work will directly impact Zip’s ability to acquire the right customers, manage risk effectively, and grow profitably in the US market.

Responsibilities

Define and evolve Zip’s lifetime value framework for new accounts, integrating market dynamics, macroeconomic factors, and customer behavior insights to inform underwriting and pricing strategies

Set and evolve approval, identity verification, and initial exposure strategies for US customers

Optimize initial credit exposure decisions balancing transaction volume and losses

Guide pricing and exposure strategies in partnership with Product and Finance

Establish capabilities and strategies for cash flow underwriting for new customers

Ensure compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., FCRA, Reg Z) in credit strategy design

Analytics & Experimentation

Design and execute A/B and champion/challenger tests to refine credit decisioning

Oversee portfolio-level sensitivity analysis to assess risk exposure across a range of economic and policy scenarios, informing executive-level decision-making

Oversee loss rate forecasting and credit funnel conversion monitoring

Collaborate with Data Science to apply and improve risk models and underwriting logic

Partner with Data Science for continuous improvement of risk assessment models

AI Integration

Embed AI into operational workflows (e.g., data triage, decision logic validation, report automation) to increase scale and reduce time-to-insight

Validate and apply AI outputs in a way that supports sound credit decisions — avoiding abstract models or unsupported insights

Team Leadership & Development

Lead an existing, distributed team across US and offshore locations, with full accountability for performance, development, and delivery

Build team capacity and ownership structures to support rapid experimentation and iterative model updates

Drive structured career development, prioritization frameworks, and quality standards across the team

Manage and develop analysts to drive strategic changes

Create consistent frameworks for training, mentoring, and calibrating team members on experimentation, monitoring, and communication

Develop talent and structure within an onshore and offshore team model

What You’ll Bring To The Team Experience & Domain Expertise

15+ years of experience in credit or fraud risk strategy in financial services or fintech

Direct experience with cash flow underwriting, including integration of transaction-level data into credit decisioning

Experience deploying underwriting and identity decisioning in real-time systems

Experience deploying underwriting and identity decisioning in real-time systems

Experience with regulatory compliance, such as FCRA and Reg Z

Quantitative background in engineering, statistics, math, economics, business, or related disciplines

Technical & Analytical Skills

Expert-level SQL required

Proficiency in Python, R, Databricks, and Snowflake preferred

Strong experience using database query languages and programming tools in a financial services context

Demonstrated use of AI to improve efficiency, decision-making, or strategy development

Analytical mindset and strong problem-solving skills; attention to detail and ability to multitask

Ability to prioritize and deliver on complex projects under tight timelines

Leadership & Communication

Proven leadership managing risk teams and implementing analytical frameworks

Experience leading and developing analytical teams

Executive-level communicator who can synthesize complex insights into clear narratives

Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills; ability to engage and collaborate across functions

Proactive communicator willing to raise flags when needed and keep team members informed of risk or fraud-related activities

Our values in your DNA: Customer First, Own It, Stronger Together and Change the Game

What You’ll Get In Return Zip is a place where you’ll get out what you put in. The newness of our sector means we need to move at pace and embrace change, and our promise to you when you join the team is that you’ll feel empowered and trusted to make big things happen quickly.

We want you to feel welcome and as though you have the support to be yourself, and care for yourself at work. Because it’s important to us that you make the most of the opportunities you’ll get to grow your skills and your career, and be surrounded by smart, friendly people and leaders that have your back.

We think these are just some of the best things about being a Zipster. We will also offer you:

Flexible working culture

Incentive programs

20 days PTO every year

Generous paid parental leave

Leading family support policies

100% employer covered insurance

Beautiful Union Square office with a casual dress code

Learning and wellness subscription stipend

Company-sponsored 401k match

Pay Range $250,000 - $285,000 USD based on the industry benchmark for position, function, level and Zip's compensation strategies. However, actual base salary will depend on varying circumstances and individualized factors, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Total compensation may include bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

Be a part of a team that reflects the diversity of our customers

We pride ourselves on being a workplace that provides equal opportunities to people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, veteran status, and everything else that makes you unique. We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive. Please let us know if there are any adjustments that need to be made to ensure you have a fair and equitable experience.

Zip Co Limited (ASX: ZIP) is a digital financial services company, offering innovative, people-centred products. Operating in two core markets - Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and the US, Zip offers access to point-of-sale credit and digital payment services, connecting millions of customers with its global network of tens of thousands of merchants. We’re proud to be a values-led business and our values - Customer First, Own it, Stronger Together and Change the Game - guide us in everything we do.

I acknowledge by clicking "Submit Application", that the information provided is true and correct. I also understand that any willful dishonesty may render for refusal of this application or immediate termination of employment. By providing your information, you acknowledge that you have read our Zip Applicant and Candidate Privacy Notice and authorize Zip to process your data subject to those terms.

Before you apply, give Zip a try -> rebrand.ly/check-zip-out

Zip does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any resumes submitted without prior agreement will be considered property of Zip and no fees will be paid.

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Business Development and Sales

Industries

Financial Services

IT Services and IT Consulting

New York City Metropolitan Area 2 weeks ago

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