Vice President, US, Customer Acquisition Risk Strategy

• A seasoned credit risk leader with deep expertise in consumer lending, including new customer acquisition strategies, pricing, underwriting, and lifetime value optimization
• A collaborative, people-first operator who uses data to drive credit and fraud strategy, partners effectively across functions, and champions experimentation, innovation, and advanced analytics to enable sustainable growth
• Remote-first opportunity for US-based employees with the option to work in-person out of our Manhattan office

Start your adventure with Zip 

Join Zip’s New Customer Acquisition Risk team, responsible for approving new customers, allocating initial spending power, and optimizing the sign-up funnel to enhance customer experience and drive merchant value. As Vice President, US Customer Acquisition Risk Strategy, you’ll lead credit strategies that shape customer lifetime value overseeing approval logic, identity verification, initial exposure decisions, and pricing inputs. You’ll scale risk capabilities, integrate alternative and cash flow data, and ensure our credit decisions remain responsive to customer needs and market dynamics.

This role is highly cross-functional and analytically rigorous. You’ll work closely with Product, Engineering, Data Science, Finance, and Compliance to execute on high-impact strategies and influence Zip’s risk appetite. You’ll lead a high-performing, distributed team, using advanced analytics to surface insights and continuously improve performance. Your work will directly impact Zip’s ability to acquire the right customers, manage risk effectively, and grow profitably in the US market.

Interesting problems you’ll get to solve

Strategy & Decisioning

• Define and evolve Zip’s lifetime value framework for new accounts, integrating market dynamics, macroeconomic factors, and customer behavior insights to inform underwriting and pricing strategies
• Set and evolve approval, identity verification, and initial exposure strategies for US customers
• Optimize initial credit exposure decisions balancing transaction volume and losses
• Guide pricing and exposure strategies in partnership with Product and Finance
• Establish capabilities and strategies for cash flow underwriting for new customers
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., FCRA, Reg Z) in credit strategy design

Analytics & Experimentation

• Design and execute A/B and champion/challenger tests to refine credit decisioning
• Oversee portfolio-level sensitivity analysis to assess risk exposure across a range of economic and policy scenarios, informing executive-level decision-making
• Oversee loss rate forecasting and credit funnel conversion monitoring
• Collaborate with Data Science to apply and improve risk models and underwriting logic
• Partner with Data Science for continuous improvement of risk assessment models

AI Integration

• Embed AI into operational workflows (e.g., data triage, decision logic validation, report automation) to increase scale and reduce time-to-insight
• Validate and apply AI outputs in a way that supports sound credit decisions — avoiding abstract models or unsupported insights

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead an existing, distributed team across US and offshore locations, with full accountability for performance, development, and delivery
• Build team capacity and ownership structures to support rapid experimentation and iterative model updates
• Drive structured career development, prioritization frameworks, and quality standards across the team
• Manage and develop analysts to drive strategic changes
• Create consistent frameworks for training, mentoring, and calibrating team members on experimentation, monitoring, and communication
• Develop talent and structure within an onshore and offshore team model

What you’ll bring to the team 

Experience & Domain Expertise

• 15+ years of experience in credit or fraud risk strategy in financial services or fintech
• Direct experience with cash flow underwriting, including integration of transaction-level data into credit decisioning
• Experience deploying underwriting and identity decisioning in real-time systems
• Experience deploying underwriting and identity decisioning in real-time systems
• Experience with regulatory compliance, such as FCRA and Reg Z 
• Quantitative background in engineering, statistics, math, economics, business, or related disciplines

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Expert-level SQL required
• Proficiency in Python, R, Databricks, and Snowflake preferred
• Strong experience using database query languages and programming tools in a financial services context
• Demonstrated use of AI to improve efficiency, decision-making, or strategy development
• Possesses analytical mindset and strong problem-solving skills; attention to detail and ability to multitask
• Ability to prioritize and deliver on complex projects under tight timelines

Leadership & Communication

• Proven leadership managing risk teams and implementing analytical frameworks
• Experience leading and developing analytical teams
• Executive-level communicator who can synthesize complex insights into clear narratives
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills; ability to engage and collaborate across functions
• Extremely proactive communicator willing to raise flags when needed and keep team members informed of risk or fraud-related activities
• Our values in your DNA: Customer First, Own It, Stronger Together and Change the Game

What you’ll get in return

Zip is a place where you’ll get out what you put in. The newness of our sector means we need to move at pace and embrace change, and our promise to you when you join the team is that you’ll feel empowered and trusted to make big things happen quickly. 

We want you to feel welcome and as though you have the support to be yourself, and care for yourself at work. Because it’s important to us that you make the most of the opportunities you’ll get to grow your skills and your career, and be surrounded by smart, friendly people and leaders that have your back.

We think these are just some of the best things about being a Zipster. We will also offer you:

• Flexible working culture
• Incentive programs
• 20 days PTO every year
• Generous paid parental leave
• Leading family support policies
• 100% employer covered insurance
• Beautiful Union Square office with a casual dress code
• Learning and wellness subscription stipend
• Company-sponsored 401k match

The Pay Range for this position: $250,000 - $285,000 USD based on the industry benchmark for position, function, level and Zip's compensation strategies. However, actual base salary will depend on varying circumstances and individualized factors, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. 

Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. 

Be a part of a team that reflects the diversity of our customers

We pride ourselves on being a workplace that provides equal opportunities to people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, veteran status, and everything else that makes you unique.

Equally, we’re committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive. Please let us know If there are any adjustments that need to be made to ensure you have a fair and equitable experience.

And finally…get to know us

Zip Co Limited (ASX: ZIP) is a digital financial services company, offering innovative, people-centred products.

Operating in two core markets - Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and the US, Zip offers access to point-of-sale credit and digital payment services, connecting millions of customers with its global network of tens of thousands of merchants.

We’re proud to be a values-led business and our values - Customer First, Own it, Stronger Together and Change the Game - guide us in everything we do.

I acknowledge by clicking "Submit Application", that the information provided is true and correct. I also understand that any willful dishonesty may render for refusal of this application or immediate termination of employment. By providing your information, you acknowledge that you have read our Zip Applicant and Candidate Privacy Notice and authorize Zip to process your data subject to those terms

Zip does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any resumes submitted without prior agreement will be considered property of Zip and no fees will be paid.

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