Job Description

Closing Date 2026/01/15
Reference Number MMH260106-9
Job Title Head: Credit Risk Management
Position Type Permanent
Role Family Risk
Cluster Group Finance
Remote Opportunity Some of the time
Location - Country South Africa
Location - Province Gauteng
Location - Town / City CENTURION
Introduction
Momentum Group is seeking an accomplished and strategic Head of Credit Risk Management to lead and shape credit risk oversight across the Group. This senior leadership role is critical in balancing risk and reward, partnering closely with key stakeholders to support sustainable growth while safeguarding shareholder and policyholder interests. The successful candidate will bring deep corporate credit expertise, strong commercial judgement, and the ability to lead with influence in a complex financial services environment, contributing meaningfully to enterprise-wide risk governance and decision-making.
Disclaimer As an applicant, please verify the legitimacy of this job advert on our company career page.
Role Purpose
To partner with stakeholders in order to provide trusted and valued risk management and compliance services that advances the business' strategy and achieves the appropriate balance between risk and reward. The Head of Credit Risk has the day to day responsibility for Shareholder Credit Risk and reports to the Head of Balance Sheet Management. In addition, this position oversees overall credit risk management of Momentum Group with a dotted reporting line to the Group Chief Risk Officer.
Requirements
KNOWLEDGE:

• In-depth understanding of regulatory frameworks and operating environments across the financial services, insurance, and investment sectors.
• Corporate credit experience

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-graduate degree in Risk Management, Compliance, Legal, or Finance

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

• 10 - 12 years' experience in corporate credit risk management within an insurance and financial services environment
• 3 - 5 years of credit risk management experience at a senior management level
• Experience in structured finance transactions (Preferred)

Duties & Responsibilities
BSM/SHAREHOLDER ROLE:
Assume ultimate accountability for all direct and shareholder-guaranteed credit risk across Momentum Group, including subsidiaries, licensed entities, and other business structures
Oversee and manage the assessment of new corporate and government credit exposures, ensuring effective annual reviews of existing credit portfolios
Establish and maintain an internal credit rating capability across all credit counterparties, including project finance entities
Develop and maintain an internal credit economic capital framework, ensuring alignment and integration with Momentum Group's broader economic capital framework
Define and maintain the shareholder credit risk appetite, including limit calibration and monitoring
Prepare, present, and engage on credit risk matters and quarterly credit reports at relevant credit risk governance forums
Optimise the Murex system to enhance efficiency, control, and effectiveness across the credit workflow
Provide input into legal processes and credit-related legal documentation for shareholder credit risk transactions
Proactively identify, monitor, and engage on emerging and existing credit risks within the portfolio
Manage distressed and underperforming credit exposures to optimise recoveries and minimise losses
Provide effective leadership of the Credit Risk team, including guidance and oversight of the credit quantitative risk analyst
Partner with Asset Origination to support credit assessments for transactions in the deal pipeline, fostering strong collaboration and ensuring client and business deadlines are met
Contribute to the development and oversight of offshore credit asset frameworks and participate in due diligence processes, including engagements where external asset managers are mandated to manage credit assets
GROUP ROLE:
Establish and define a Group-wide credit risk framework to ensure consistent governance, identification, measurement, monitoring, management, and reporting of credit risk across Momentum Group
Ensure the framework covers shareholder investment credit risk (including reinsurance and receivables) as well as policyholder credit investments managed on behalf of Momentum Group clients
Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships across the credit value chain, including internal and external stakeholders
Oversee and report on credit risk exposures across the Group, encompassing both shareholder and client portfolios
Ensure the efficient and effective use of credit risk management infrastructure, including systems, tools, and processes
Serve as a member of the Risk Executive Committee and Credit Committee, contributing to strategic and governance-level decision-making
Competencies

• Strong business acumen
• Proven knowledge and experience in credit analysis of corporate and public sector credit risk, including secured and unsecured lending, project finance and workouts
• Ability to lead the process, work independently, with little oversight and handle multiple demands
• Ability to ask relevant, informed and intelligent questions about transactions, structures, relationships and risks
• A sound understanding of legal risk pertaining to legal documentation for lending transactions
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Maintain and nurture relationships with peers, portfolio managers and managers while retaining the ability to challenge them
• Strong computer skills, proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Murex, Credit tools
• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills
• Customer/stakeholder commitment
• Sound judgment, logical reasoning and strong drive for results and success
• Proven track record in a leadership position and the ability to manage a team of credit analysts
• Leads change and innovation
• Motivating and inspiring the team
• Solid presentation skills
• Collaboration
• Impact and influence
• Self-awareness and insight
• Diversity and inclusiveness
• Growing talent

Policy
We are committed to Employment Equity, diversity and inclusion when recruiting internally and externally. All appointments are made in alignment to our Employment Equity goals and we encourage people with disabilities to apply.

Skills Required