Associate Director of Risk Management

Associate Director of Risk Management

Johannesburg - Full Time

Reporting to the Managing Director - Head of Risk

About the company

Lendable is a technology-driven investment platform mobilising institutional capital to expand access to finance in underserved markets around the world. We partner with high-growth businesses that expand access to financial services for underserved consumers, MSMEs, and businesses that address environmental challenges and support the transition to a more sustainable future.

With just under $1bn in assets under advisory, we combine investment expertise, rigorous risk management and proprietary data and technology to direct capital towards high-growth businesses where it can have the greatest impact. Our proprietary database of more than 208m loans across 28 countries gives us unique insight into credit markets, enabling us to support our partners in reaching underserved communities and businesses. To date, we have helped more than 6.8m people access fairer finance and deployed over $954m in capital across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Our global team spans Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, with hubs in London, Nairobi, Johannesburg and Buenos Aires. We bring together investment professionals, data scientists, technologists and specialists across a range of disciplines, who are passionate about creating a more equitable and sustainable world through data and finance.

If you’re motivated by solving complex challenges at the intersection of data, finance and technology, we’d love you to join us!

About the Role

As we continue to scale our business from around $400 million in assets under management (AUM) to $1 billion and beyond, we are seeking a risk management professional to take a lead role in supporting the Managing Director - Head of Risk. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in financial modeling, credit analysis, and risk management with an ability to exercise judgement, contribute and influence strategic decision-making within the risk function. You will be expected to think critically and independently, helping shape the broader vision of the risk management framework as we expand.

You will work closely with the Managing Director - Head of Risk to enhance and enforce advanced risk management practices across a growing portfolio. You will lead high-level risk monitoring discussions with portfolio companies, conducting in‑person visits, and you will play an integral role in guiding portfolio companies through complex risk and financial management challenges. Your ability to engage with senior stakeholders across investments, data, and investor relations teams will be essential in driving successful outcomes.

This position requires an experienced and meticulous individual who can also see the big picture and is adept at managing complex and changing risk profiles. You will use your expertise to influence key decisions, elevate critical situations when needed, and ensure outcomes that are aligned with our risk management goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the analysis of portfolio company performance, including financial health assessments, covenant compliance, and financial projections and provide actionable insights to senior management and external stakeholders.
• Development and maintenance of financial models for a diverse range of emerging‑market companies, predominantly in fintech and climate financing, using available technology to drive efficiencies
• Take ownership of regular monitoring meetings / interactions with portfolio companies, ensuring a proactive and hands‑on approach to understanding and managing emerging risks. Travel will be required for in‑person engagements.
• Raise and elevate any Red Flags in a timely manner to minimise portfolio losses
• Prepare and present comprehensive risk monitoring reports to key stakeholders, including current and prospective fund investors, the Risk Committee, and Board members, ensuring clarity of reporting, recommendations and actions.
• Lead the maintenance of internal Lendable Risk Ratings for portfolio companies, ensuring that ratings are updated regularly to reflect evolving risk dynamics.
• Proactively manage waiver requests, covenant breaches, amendments, and other ad‑hoc risk exercises, demonstrating strong judgment and the ability to negotiate outcomes that align with our risk objectives.
• Manage the internal Risk Monitoring system, ensuring that it is accurate, up‑to‑date, and provides timely insights into the financial and operational status of portfolio companies.
• Lead and manage financial recovery and restructuring efforts for distressed portfolio companies (where required), overseeing analysis, restructuring/recovery strategy, negotiations, and ensuring the execution of recovery plans to mitigate financial losses.

Capabilities & Experience

• 7+ years of corporate credit analysis experience in a financial institution managing private credit / loan exposures
• Expertise in emerging markets and/or fintech.
• Experience in climate-related investments and an understanding of ESG/Impact related credit risks would be an advantage.
• Strong capability to build, maintain, and refine financial models and perform comprehensive stress testing and scenario analysis making use of available technology for efficiencies.
• Corporate finance and accounting expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to think holistically, with experience working in cross‑functional teams and presenting to senior executives, investors, and/or board members.
• Excellent communication skills, with a track record of effectively managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior management and clients.
• Understanding of the global economic landscape, with the ability to track market trends and assess their impact on the portfolio.
• Highly organized, with an ability to manage competing priorities and maintain a clear focus on long‑term risk management goals.
• Ability to travel as per business needs
• Fluency in English (written and oral), with additional languages, especially Spanish) a plus.

What we offer

• Stimulating, inquisitive, and fun colleagues - a group of people who care about social justice, diversity, and inclusion above all
• Flexible working set up
• Market competitive salary
• Strong health insurance package that includes dental, vision, and mental health coverage
• Paid new parent leave policy
• The chance to engage in truly impactful and meaningful work

Persons of all gender, race, sex, orientation, age, and identity are encouraged to apply. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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