VP, Credit Merchant Risk
Synchrony, New York, NY, United States
Role Summary/Purpose
VP, Credit Merchant Risk is a multi-functional role within the credit fraud acquisitions strategy team. The primary responsibilities include leading and providing strategic oversight to merchant underwriting (credit and fraud strategy), merchant monitoring, and merchant risk operation teams. The role will support and interact with Credit & Fraud teams, merchant teams, and key stakeholders of Synchrony.
Our Way of Working We’re proud to offer flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home, near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. Occasionally you may be required to commute or travel for in-person engagement activities such as business or team meetings, training, and culture events.
Essential Responsibilities
Lead a team of 7 merchant risk professionals to mitigate merchant credit and fraud risk through our underwriting and monitoring programs
Participate in Portfolio Credit Manager responsibilities including industry reviews, portfolio monitoring, drive strategy improvements, provide effective challenge, etc.
Possess in-depth understanding of merchant underwriting process and related fraud control processes including identity theft, first‑party fraud, synthetic identity fraud, and bust‑out fraud
Drive cross‑client loss‑avoidance initiatives, partnering with stakeholders to reduce losses and strengthen controls.
Partner with Credit, Senior PCMs, and client teams to support portfolio growth while maintaining disciplined risk appetite and performance.
Design and implement enhanced surveillance and early‑warning monitoring to detect emerging risk and manage credit exposure
Enforce bank credit policy and underwriting standards; ensure consistent, compliant decisioning and governance
Develop and deliver client‑facing and internal executive presentations on portfolio performance, risk themes, and recommended actions.
Monitor and escalate operational risks across the portfolio; recommend process improvements and control enhancements.
Support driving enhanced strategies, using champion/challenger learnings to manage credit and fraud risk
Participate in planning cycle with Finance, Client Development, Marketing, and other functions to ensure consistency in business plans
Investigate and resolve customer/client issues, coordinating root‑cause analysis and remediation to improve experience and reduce repeat events.
Provide ad‑hoc analytics and reporting to support leadership decisions, client needs, and special projects.
Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements
Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of experience in a commercial Credit/Risk role; or in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, 10+ years of experience in a commercial Credit/Risk role
5+ years’ experience in a credit risk/fraud strategy development role
5+ years SAS/SQL/Python programming experience (proficient level)
Excellent temperament and ability to work through uncertainty, collaborate respectfully across functions & teams, and find solutions to issues
Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required
Desired Characteristics
Leadership experience operating at a strategic level as part of a cross functional team
Use of advanced technical & analytical competencies in driving effective strategic goals within a significant functional area; advanced experience with SAS/SQL or other related analytic tools
Strong understanding of the consumer credit lending lifecycle and card programs
Strong understanding of credit and fraud models, and fraud risk solutions
Understanding of the Lines of Defense (2nd Line Strategy Validation and 3rd Line Internal Audit)
Excellent oral and written communication skills with impact and influence
Ability to multi‑task and perform in a fast‑paced environment
Experience working alongside and in unison with off‑shore teams
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, organize work flow and timelines
Master’s Degree or MBA with advanced analytic focus, or equivalent advanced degree
Salary and Benefits Grade/Level: 13 The salary range for this position is 155,000.00 - 260,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance. Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge. Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.
Eligibility Requirements
You must be 18 years or older
You must have a high school diploma or equivalent
You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process
You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
Legal Authorization Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Reasonable Accommodation Notice
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627. Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time.
Job Family Group Credit
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Our Way of Working We’re proud to offer flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home, near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. Occasionally you may be required to commute or travel for in-person engagement activities such as business or team meetings, training, and culture events.
Essential Responsibilities
Lead a team of 7 merchant risk professionals to mitigate merchant credit and fraud risk through our underwriting and monitoring programs
Participate in Portfolio Credit Manager responsibilities including industry reviews, portfolio monitoring, drive strategy improvements, provide effective challenge, etc.
Possess in-depth understanding of merchant underwriting process and related fraud control processes including identity theft, first‑party fraud, synthetic identity fraud, and bust‑out fraud
Drive cross‑client loss‑avoidance initiatives, partnering with stakeholders to reduce losses and strengthen controls.
Partner with Credit, Senior PCMs, and client teams to support portfolio growth while maintaining disciplined risk appetite and performance.
Design and implement enhanced surveillance and early‑warning monitoring to detect emerging risk and manage credit exposure
Enforce bank credit policy and underwriting standards; ensure consistent, compliant decisioning and governance
Develop and deliver client‑facing and internal executive presentations on portfolio performance, risk themes, and recommended actions.
Monitor and escalate operational risks across the portfolio; recommend process improvements and control enhancements.
Support driving enhanced strategies, using champion/challenger learnings to manage credit and fraud risk
Participate in planning cycle with Finance, Client Development, Marketing, and other functions to ensure consistency in business plans
Investigate and resolve customer/client issues, coordinating root‑cause analysis and remediation to improve experience and reduce repeat events.
Provide ad‑hoc analytics and reporting to support leadership decisions, client needs, and special projects.
Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements
Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of experience in a commercial Credit/Risk role; or in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, 10+ years of experience in a commercial Credit/Risk role
5+ years’ experience in a credit risk/fraud strategy development role
5+ years SAS/SQL/Python programming experience (proficient level)
Excellent temperament and ability to work through uncertainty, collaborate respectfully across functions & teams, and find solutions to issues
Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required
Desired Characteristics
Leadership experience operating at a strategic level as part of a cross functional team
Use of advanced technical & analytical competencies in driving effective strategic goals within a significant functional area; advanced experience with SAS/SQL or other related analytic tools
Strong understanding of the consumer credit lending lifecycle and card programs
Strong understanding of credit and fraud models, and fraud risk solutions
Understanding of the Lines of Defense (2nd Line Strategy Validation and 3rd Line Internal Audit)
Excellent oral and written communication skills with impact and influence
Ability to multi‑task and perform in a fast‑paced environment
Experience working alongside and in unison with off‑shore teams
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, organize work flow and timelines
Master’s Degree or MBA with advanced analytic focus, or equivalent advanced degree
Salary and Benefits Grade/Level: 13 The salary range for this position is 155,000.00 - 260,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance. Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge. Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.
Eligibility Requirements
You must be 18 years or older
You must have a high school diploma or equivalent
You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process
You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
Legal Authorization Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Reasonable Accommodation Notice
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627. Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time.
Job Family Group Credit
#J-18808-Ljbffr