Director of Partner Credit Risk Management & Oversight

About Us:

Coastal is at the forefront of modern banking, combining strong financial infrastructure with Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and fintech enablement strategies. We support individuals with personal banking needs and empower businesses by integrating modern banking technology that drives growth, flexibility, and innovation.

At Coastal, we think and move like entrepreneurs, focused on impact, speed, and continuous improvement. We believe in working smart, collaborating deeply, and building solutions that unlock real potential.

Overview:

Coastal Bank is seeking a highly analytical and strategic Director of Partner Credit Risk Management & Oversight to lead credit risk oversight across its BaaS partner ecosystem. This role will develop and execute a second line credit risk framework that supports scalable growth while ensuring strong risk management across fintech partnerships and effective counterparty risk oversight.

The ideal candidate has deep leadership experience in credit risk management and analytics within a regulated financial institution and a strong understanding of partner-based models, counterparty risk, and BaaS/fintech ecosystems. The Director will lead a team of Partner Credit Risk Managers and serve as a key risk leader providing independent challenge, ensuring alignment with Coastal’s risk appetite, and safeguarding the financial integrity of partner programs.

Responsibilities to Include:

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of Partner Credit Risk Managers responsible for oversight of partner credit programs.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive second line oversight framework for all BaaS partner credit programs.
• Recommend and enforce credit risk policies and risk appetite across partner credit programs.
• Evaluate and approve, or recommend to leadership, partner credit models, underwriting strategies, and program structures.
• Monitor portfolio performance across partners, identifying trends, concentrations, emerging risks, and action plans.
• Guide development of early warning indicators and portfolio stress scenarios.
• Collaborate with fintech partners, program managers, and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with risk expectations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory expectations related to third-party risk, including FDIC and Federal Reserve guidance.
• Support due diligence and onboarding of new BaaS partners, including credit assessments.
• Provide credible challenge to partner assumptions, models, and performance forecasts.
• Design and implement controls for counterparty credit risk management, including ongoing partner monitoring.
• Lead evaluation of the financial strength and stability of BaaS partners, including analysis of financial statements, cash flow, liquidity, capital adequacy, and funding models.
• Establish counterparty risk ratings, exposure limits, and ongoing monitoring standards.
• Identify and escalate risks related to partner sustainability, operational dependency, and market conditions.

Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience in credit risk, lending, or risk management within a bank or financial institution.
• 5+ years of experience in a second line of defense or oversight function.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams and cross-functional collaboration.
• Demonstrated experience working with fintech partners and BaaS platforms.
• Strong experience with consumer and small business lending portfolios.
• Proven expertise in counterparty risk assessment, including financial statement analysis.
• Deep understanding of credit risk frameworks, underwriting, portfolio management, and risk governance.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Ability to travel.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or a related field.
• Advanced degree such as an MBA or MS preferred.
• Experience in BaaS, fintech partnerships, or embedded finance models.
• Familiarity with credit models, stress testing, and data analytics tools.
• Experience interfacing with regulators on BaaS or fintech-related examinations.
• Ability to balance innovation and growth with strong risk discipline.

How You’ll Thrive at Coastal:

• Be the Best: Communicate effectively, pay close attention to detail, and prioritize personal development.
• Be Relentless: Thrive in a goal-oriented environment exercising patience and persistence. Advocate for customers and team members and promote the Coastal Difference.
• Be Un-Bankey: Be a forward thinker with a creative mindset. Build long-lasting relationships founded on integrity, honesty, and trust.
• Embrace Gray Thinking: Use sound judgment in decision-making and problem-solving. Think outside the box.
• Stay Flexible: Organize and strategize effectively while adapting as needed. Seek efficiencies for Coastal to work smarter.
• Take Care of Each Other: Be a true team player, practice self-awareness, and build emotional intelligence.

Being You at Coastal:

Coastal is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

Benefits We Offer:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.

• Medical coverage with three competitive plan options.
• Health Savings Account with eligible medical plans, tax advantages, and employer contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Company-paid basic life insurance and optional additional coverage.
• Long-term and short-term disability coverage.
• Supplemental hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.
• Paid time off.
• 11 paid holidays.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described below are required to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sit for extended periods of time.
• Stand for extended periods of time.
• Perform repetitive finger, hand, and arm movement.
• Use electronic office equipment such as a computer keyboard, mouse, ten key, and telephone.
• View and read computer screens for extended periods.
• Occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Occasionally lift or move up to 10 pounds.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.