Director, Underwriting, Funding, Risk

Role Overview

• Lead the payments underwriting process from application through approval for U.S. and Canadian merchants, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and consistent decisioning.
• Establish, maintain, and regularly review underwriting policies and procedures in alignment with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Conduct and oversee risk assessments and creditworthiness evaluations of prospective merchants.
• Develop and implement underwriting risk-mitigation strategies within onboarding and application systems to minimize loss exposure.
• Implement and enhance advanced modeling and data-driven techniques to improve underwriting precision and decision quality.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, Operations, and external vendors to design and execute onboarding and underwriting process enhancements.
• Provide strategic leadership for Agreement Express (AEX) platform.
• Monitor and analyze portfolio performance and risk trends, identifying emerging risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with Product and Engineering to design and execute risk monitoring process enhancements.
• Utilize internal reporting and analytics tools to support data-driven risk decisions.
• Partner with Legal and Compliance to remain current on PayFac regulations and network rules, including AML, KYC, OFAC, and card network and ACH requirements.
• Prepare and present risk management reporting to the CFO and other senior stakeholders.
• Complete and file all required Unusual Activity Reports (UARs) with acquiring banks.
• Manage relationships with acquiring bank risk teams, AML partners, and auditors.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of high-risk alert monitoring systems and criteria.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, and internal stakeholders to design and implement funding and settlement automation solutions.
• Coordinate cross-functional communication related to funding issues between Support, Finance, Accounting, and business units.
• Own the collections function for software and payments accounts, including returned merchant funding and billing.
• Collaborate with Accounting to provide monthly write off data for reconciliation and close processes.
• Establish and maintain collections policies, workflows, and escalation paths.
• Ensure accurate merchant account changes and adjustments in accordance with policy and contractual requirements.
• Partner with Accounting, Finance, and Operations to ensure alignment between collections activity, reconciliation, and financial reporting.
• Manage relationships with underwriting, onboarding, risk technology vendors, and 3rd party collections agency.
• Ensure vendor capabilities align with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and scalability needs.
• Monitor vendor performance, deliverables, contracts, and issue resolution.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of underwriters, risk/funding specialists, and collections specialists.
• Set clear performance goals and regularly evaluate progress, providing timely feedback and guidance.
• Drive development and execution of communication plans that promote transparency, alignment with company values, and a strong employee experience.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive culture that encourages continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Support administrative processes and initiatives that enable effective team operations.
• Model and reinforce company values and expected behaviors, contributing to a positive and high-performance culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field; Master’s or MBA preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in underwriting, risk management, fraud, or payment processing within fintech, payments, or financial services.
• Experience managing U.S. and Canadian underwriting, risk, funding, and/or collections operations.
• Experience with Agreement Express preferred.
• Experience in PayFac preferred.
• Experience working in WorldPay system preferred.
• Experience in processing electronic checks preferred.
• Experience operating in fast-paced, high-growth environments, including 24/7/365 operations.

Benefits

• Fullsteam supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience, and background.
• Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
• Health insurance
• Flexible working hours
• Professional development opportunities