Head Of Data Science & Credit Risk

About The RoleWe're seeking a Head of Data Science & Credit Risk to lead our ML-driven underwriting strategy and build world-class risk models that power financial inclusion across Southeast Asia. This role combines deep data science expertise with credit risk leadership, owning the full lifecycle from model development to business impact. You'll lead a team of data scientists and risk analysts to create innovative underwriting solutions that balance growth with risk management.About FINN💳 Fast-growing Earned Wage Access FinTech founded in 2022🚀 $10M ARR with proven product-market fit and explosive growth🌏 Operations in Thailand, Philippines, and Indonesia with expansion underway📊 50-person team building the future of financial access for underbanked workersKey ResponsibilitiesML & Model DevelopmentDesign and implement advanced ML models for credit decisioning, fraud detection, and risk segmentationLead development of next-generation underwriting algorithms using alternative data sourcesBuild and deploy real-time scoring models that scale across multiple marketsChampion model interpretability and fairness in AI-driven credit decisionsDrive machine learning adoption across the organization - eg. experimentation on customer-value and monetization models, marketing attribution solutions.Establish MLOps best practices for model versioning, monitoring, and deploymentCredit Risk LeadershipDevelop comprehensive credit risk frameworks adapted to each market's unique dynamicsDesign approval strategies and risk thresholds that optimize for growth and portfolio healthCreate early warning systems for portfolio deterioration using predictive analyticsLead stress testing and expected credit loss modeling initiativesPartner with Finance on provisioning and capital allocation strategiesTeam & Strategic LeadershipBuild and mentor a high-performing team of data scientists and risk analystsDrive data science roadmap aligned with business expansion goalsPresent risk insights and recommendations to executive team and boardEstablish partnerships with alternative data providers and credit bureausFoster a culture of experimentation and data-driven decision makingBusiness ImpactOptimize approval rates while maintaining target default ratesReduce time-to-decision through model automationIdentify new customer segments and product opportunities through advanced analyticsSupport market expansion with localized risk models and regulatory complianceDrive unit economics improvement through sophisticated segmentationRequiredWhat We're Looking For10+ years combined experience in data science/ML and consumer credit risk in FinTech, digital lending, or BNPL/EWA productsExperience developing and managing credit policies and portfolios at scale - either multi-product, multi-market, or bothProven track record building and deploying production ML models as part of real-time or near-real-time decisioning pipelines with experimentation (A/B testing).Expertise in SQL/exploratory data analysis, and experience with cloud platforms (we use GCP BigQuery but direct/specific experience is not necessary)Experience building and leading technical teams while remaining hands-onExcellent communication skills to translate complex models to business stakeholdersStrongly PreferredFamiliarity with Southeast Asian credit markets and alternative data sourcesKnowledge of MLFlow or similar production-grade model development deployment frameworksBroad understanding of regulatory requirements in various markets/regions (IFRS 9, local credit regulations)What Makes You SuccessfulTechnical Excellence: Deep expertise in both classical statistics and modern MLBusiness Acumen: Ability to connect models to business outcomes and ROIRisk Mindset: Balance innovation with prudent risk managementLeadership: Inspire teams while diving deep into technical challengesAdaptability: Thrive in fast-paced startup environment with evolving requirementsWhy Join FINN?Massive Impact: Your models will directly enable financial access for manyGreenfield Opportunity: Build our ML/risk capabilities from the ground upCutting-Edge Tech: Work with modern ML stack and cloud-native infrastructureRapid Growth: Join at the inflection point with clear path to scaleMission-Driven: Genuine social impact through financial inclusionCompensation & BenefitsCompetitive salary based on experience and locationEquity participation#Global