Credit Risk Specialist – Distressed Portfolio

Role Purpose

To provide specialist credit risk assessment and portfolio management support within the Workouts & Restructuring function. The role is responsible for conducting detailed credit assessments, analysing distressed or high-risk exposures, and recommending sustainable restructuring solutions that mitigate credit losses and protect the organisation’s risk position.

The incumbent will manage a portfolio of clients within the restructuring environment, ensuring compliance with approved credit policies, regulatory frameworks, and delegated authority levels. The role requires strong financial analysis capability, sound judgement, and the ability to assess commercial viability under distressed conditions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Credit Assessment & Risk Mitigation

• Conduct comprehensive credit assessments for restructuring and workout cases within the allocated portfolio.

• Review credit submissions for completeness and alignment with approved lending guidelines.

• Ensure all required supporting documentation is received and validated.

• Analyse financial statements to assess business viability, sustainability, and repayment capacity.

• Identify risk factors, anomalies, and potential exposure concerns; propose corrective or mitigating measures.

• Evaluate restructuring proposals and recommend commercially sound solutions.

• Conduct industry, market, and sector research to assess risk exposure.

• Interpret financial, economic, political, and commodity data relevant to credit decisions.

• Prepare structured credit submissions for presentation to credit committees.

• Coordinate credit committee documentation and track approval statistics.

2. Portfolio Monitoring & Stakeholder Support

• Promote sound credit risk management practices across business units.

• Provide technical guidance to operational teams on credit-related matters.

• Support training initiatives related to credit assessment and risk awareness.

• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation and internal credit policies.

• Maintain professional development in credit risk and product knowledge.

3. Governance, Compliance & Audit

• Ensure documentation is archived in accordance with internal record-keeping standards.

• Address audit findings within area of responsibility and implement corrective actions.

• Maintain accurate records of credit committee proceedings and decisions.

• Ensure restructuring decisions comply with internal controls and regulatory frameworks.

4. Policy & Procedure Contribution

• Provide input into credit policy updates and procedural enhancements.

• Identify opportunities to improve credit assessment frameworks and restructuring guidelines.

• Contribute to the review of lending norms and credit criteria for new products.

• Communicate approved policy changes to relevant stakeholders where required.

Minimum Requirements

• 3-year tertiary qualification in Commerce (Accounting, Finance, Economics or related field) or Credit Management Diploma.

• Proven experience in credit assessment, particularly in restructuring, distressed portfolios, or high-risk exposures.

• Strong financial statement analysis capability.

• Experience assessing structured credit proposals (asset finance, working capital, sector-specific lending).

• Knowledge of credit-related legislation (e.g., NCA, CPA, FICA and related regulatory requirements).

• Understanding of sector-based lending environments (primary and secondary industries advantageous).

Core Competencies

• Credit Risk Assessment & Financial Analysis

• Workouts & Restructuring Strategy

• Portfolio Risk Management

• Industry & Market Risk Evaluation

• Compliance & Regulatory Knowledge

• Credit Committee Presentation Skills

• Analytical & Critical Thinking

• Report Writing & Risk Commentary

• Stakeholder Engagement