Citizens
Head of Capital Markets Credit Risk
Citizens, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28269
Overview We are seeking a highly accomplished and strategic Executive to lead our Capital Markets and Leveraged Finance Credit Risk Management function. This critical leadership role is responsible for overseeing the identification, assessment, mitigation, and ongoing monitoring of credit risks associated with the firm's leveraged finance portfolio, syndicated loans, and other capital markets transactions. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in corporate finance, credit analysis, regulatory requirements, and a proven track record of developing and implementing robust risk frameworks in a dynamic market environment. This role demands exceptional judgment, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to partner effectively with business lines to enable responsible growth while safeguarding the firm's financial stability.
Below, you will find a complete breakdown of everything required of potential candidates, as well as how to apply Good luck. Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Framework Development:
Develop, implement, and continuously enhance the credit risk appetite, policies, procedures, and methodologies for the Capital Markets and Leveraged Finance portfolios, ensuring alignment with overall firm strategy and regulatory expectations.
Strategic Direction & Risk Monitoring:
Lead the strategic direction of credit risk management for these complex portfolios, anticipating emerging risks and market trends.
Risk Limits & Early Warning:
Establish and maintain robust risk limits and early warning indicators for the leveraged finance book.
Credit Underwriting & Adjudication:
Oversee and, where appropriate, directly conduct comprehensive credit risk assessments for proposed leveraged financing transactions (e.g., LBOs, recapitalizations, M&A financings), including deep dives into financial models, forecast EBITDA, capital structure, and syndication strategies.
Credit Approval:
Lead the credit approval process for new lending activities and other complex credit requests, making informed recommendations to senior management and credit committees.
Adherence & Compliance:
Ensure all credit adjudications adhere strictly to internal policies, risk appetite, and regulatory requirements (e.g., U.S. Leveraged Lending Guidance).
Debt Hedging & Alignment:
Possess a strong understanding of debt hedging strategies that minimize financial risks and enhance overall profitability. Collaborate across line of business, finance, and treasury to ensure alignment against all financial goals.
Portfolio Management & Monitoring:
Manage and monitor the ongoing credit risk of the existing Capital Markets and Leveraged Finance portfolio, including performing periodic reviews, evaluating financial covenant compliance, and assessing industry trends.
Credit Deterioration & Remediation:
Identify, escalate, and proactively manage deteriorating credits and other problem situations, ensuring timely and effective remedial actions.
Risk Ratings & Reporting:
Ensure risk ratings are accurate, dynamic, and reflect a forward-looking view of client creditworthiness. Prepare and present comprehensive credit reports, risk assessments, and portfolio reviews to senior management, risk committees, and regulators.
Due Diligence & Client Interaction:
Lead and/or participate in client due diligence activities, attending meetings with clients, sponsors (e.g., private equity firms), and other banks to gain a deep understanding of business models, management teams, and industry sectors.
Legal Review:
Critically review legal documentation (e.g., credit agreements) to ensure terms are appropriate, consistent with credit approvals, and adequately protect the firm's interests.
Regulatory Compliance & Engagement:
Ensure full compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements, guidelines, and supervisory expectations pertaining to credit risk management in capital markets and leveraged finance. Serve as a key point of contact for internal and external auditors and regulators on credit risk matters within the designated portfolios. Contribute to regulatory reporting and stress testing exercises.
Team Leadership & Development:
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of credit risk professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning, strong analytical rigor, and proactive risk management. Provide expert guidance and thought leadership to junior team members and colleagues across the firm.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Collaborate effectively with front office origination teams, syndication, legal, compliance, operations, and other risk functions to ensure seamless execution, alignment of objectives, and robust risk controls. Challenge business proposals constructively to ensure a balanced approach to risk and return.
Qualifications
Proven leadership capabilities, sound judgment, high ethical standards, and the ability to make difficult decisions under pressure.
Minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in credit risk management within capital markets, with a significant focus on leveraged finance, at a reputable financial institution (e.g., investment bank, large commercial bank).
Extensive experience with non-investment grade credit analysis, underwriting, and portfolio management.
Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing and developing a team.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related quantitative field required. MBA or CFA highly preferred.
Technical Skills:
Expertise in corporate finance, financial accounting, and financial modeling (LBO models, projection models, valuation). Deep understanding of leveraged finance products, structures, market dynamics, and syndication processes. Strong knowledge of credit derivatives, loan trading, and related market risks. Proficiency with financial data platforms (e.g., Bloomberg, Refinitiv) and risk management systems. Regulatory Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of relevant U.S. leveraged lending guidance, Basel frameworks, and other applicable financial regulations.
Analytical & Communication:
Analytical & problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights. Superior verbal and written communication skills, ability to articulate complex credit issues clearly to senior management, external stakeholders, and non-technical audiences. Strong presentation skills and the ability to influence outcomes. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across the organization.
Pay Transparency The salary range for this position is $275,000- $350,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the work location, and relevant skills and experience.
Benefits & Equal Opportunity We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits.
#LI-Citizens1
Equal Employment Opportunity Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.
Why Work for Us At Citizens, you'll find a customer-centric culture built around helping our customers and giving back to our local communities. When you join our team, you are part of a supportive and collaborative workforce, with access to training and tools to accelerate your potential and maximize your career growth
Background Check Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the candidate successfully passing a background check, which may include initial credit, motor vehicle record, public record, prior employment verification, and criminal background checks. Results of the background check are individually reviewed based upon legal requirements imposed by our regulators and with consideration of the nature and gravity of the background history and the job offered. Any offer of employment will include further information.
09/30/2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Below, you will find a complete breakdown of everything required of potential candidates, as well as how to apply Good luck. Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Framework Development:
Develop, implement, and continuously enhance the credit risk appetite, policies, procedures, and methodologies for the Capital Markets and Leveraged Finance portfolios, ensuring alignment with overall firm strategy and regulatory expectations.
Strategic Direction & Risk Monitoring:
Lead the strategic direction of credit risk management for these complex portfolios, anticipating emerging risks and market trends.
Risk Limits & Early Warning:
Establish and maintain robust risk limits and early warning indicators for the leveraged finance book.
Credit Underwriting & Adjudication:
Oversee and, where appropriate, directly conduct comprehensive credit risk assessments for proposed leveraged financing transactions (e.g., LBOs, recapitalizations, M&A financings), including deep dives into financial models, forecast EBITDA, capital structure, and syndication strategies.
Credit Approval:
Lead the credit approval process for new lending activities and other complex credit requests, making informed recommendations to senior management and credit committees.
Adherence & Compliance:
Ensure all credit adjudications adhere strictly to internal policies, risk appetite, and regulatory requirements (e.g., U.S. Leveraged Lending Guidance).
Debt Hedging & Alignment:
Possess a strong understanding of debt hedging strategies that minimize financial risks and enhance overall profitability. Collaborate across line of business, finance, and treasury to ensure alignment against all financial goals.
Portfolio Management & Monitoring:
Manage and monitor the ongoing credit risk of the existing Capital Markets and Leveraged Finance portfolio, including performing periodic reviews, evaluating financial covenant compliance, and assessing industry trends.
Credit Deterioration & Remediation:
Identify, escalate, and proactively manage deteriorating credits and other problem situations, ensuring timely and effective remedial actions.
Risk Ratings & Reporting:
Ensure risk ratings are accurate, dynamic, and reflect a forward-looking view of client creditworthiness. Prepare and present comprehensive credit reports, risk assessments, and portfolio reviews to senior management, risk committees, and regulators.
Due Diligence & Client Interaction:
Lead and/or participate in client due diligence activities, attending meetings with clients, sponsors (e.g., private equity firms), and other banks to gain a deep understanding of business models, management teams, and industry sectors.
Legal Review:
Critically review legal documentation (e.g., credit agreements) to ensure terms are appropriate, consistent with credit approvals, and adequately protect the firm's interests.
Regulatory Compliance & Engagement:
Ensure full compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements, guidelines, and supervisory expectations pertaining to credit risk management in capital markets and leveraged finance. Serve as a key point of contact for internal and external auditors and regulators on credit risk matters within the designated portfolios. Contribute to regulatory reporting and stress testing exercises.
Team Leadership & Development:
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of credit risk professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning, strong analytical rigor, and proactive risk management. Provide expert guidance and thought leadership to junior team members and colleagues across the firm.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Collaborate effectively with front office origination teams, syndication, legal, compliance, operations, and other risk functions to ensure seamless execution, alignment of objectives, and robust risk controls. Challenge business proposals constructively to ensure a balanced approach to risk and return.
Qualifications
Proven leadership capabilities, sound judgment, high ethical standards, and the ability to make difficult decisions under pressure.
Minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in credit risk management within capital markets, with a significant focus on leveraged finance, at a reputable financial institution (e.g., investment bank, large commercial bank).
Extensive experience with non-investment grade credit analysis, underwriting, and portfolio management.
Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing and developing a team.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related quantitative field required. MBA or CFA highly preferred.
Technical Skills:
Expertise in corporate finance, financial accounting, and financial modeling (LBO models, projection models, valuation). Deep understanding of leveraged finance products, structures, market dynamics, and syndication processes. Strong knowledge of credit derivatives, loan trading, and related market risks. Proficiency with financial data platforms (e.g., Bloomberg, Refinitiv) and risk management systems. Regulatory Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of relevant U.S. leveraged lending guidance, Basel frameworks, and other applicable financial regulations.
Analytical & Communication:
Analytical & problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights. Superior verbal and written communication skills, ability to articulate complex credit issues clearly to senior management, external stakeholders, and non-technical audiences. Strong presentation skills and the ability to influence outcomes. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across the organization.
Pay Transparency The salary range for this position is $275,000- $350,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the work location, and relevant skills and experience.
Benefits & Equal Opportunity We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits.
#LI-Citizens1
Equal Employment Opportunity Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.
Why Work for Us At Citizens, you'll find a customer-centric culture built around helping our customers and giving back to our local communities. When you join our team, you are part of a supportive and collaborative workforce, with access to training and tools to accelerate your potential and maximize your career growth
Background Check Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the candidate successfully passing a background check, which may include initial credit, motor vehicle record, public record, prior employment verification, and criminal background checks. Results of the background check are individually reviewed based upon legal requirements imposed by our regulators and with consideration of the nature and gravity of the background history and the job offered. Any offer of employment will include further information.
09/30/2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr