Head of Underwriting

Company Description

We’re Checkout.com. You might not know our name, but companies like eBay, Spotify, Klarna, Uber, and Sony do, because we’re behind many of the digital experiences you use every day.

We are where the world checks out, enabling over 10 billion transactions yearly for more than one billion global shoppers.

Whether you want to book a holiday, order food, renew a subscription, or check out online, there’s a good chance our tech powers the payments behind the scenes. Our platform helps the most ambitious businesses deliver effortless digital experiences, at scale.

If you want to do career-defining work, you’ve come to the right place. We move fast, think globally, and believe great teams are built by hiring exceptional people with conviction, curiosity, and the desire to make an impact.

With 20 offices across six continents and London as our HQ, we’re shaping the future of fintech – and we’re just getting started.

We’re looking for a Senior Manager of Underwriting, with a background in payments and/or financial analysis, to serve as a cornerstone of our Atlanta risk operations. This is a high-impact, individual contributor role designed for a seasoned expert who thrives on technical complexity and strategic autonomy.

In this dual-faceted position, you will own the underwriting lifecycle of strategic enterprise merchants, navigating complex business models, credit exposure, and scheme rules. Simultaneously, you will serve as the Head of Underwriting for Checkout’s Merchant Acquiring Limited Purpose Bank (MALPB). In this capacity, you will act as the primary bridge between our global risk standards and the MALPB’s specific regulatory landscape, providing the specialized oversight necessary to scale this entity.

This role offers unique visibility across our core business, requiring close collaboration with Senior Management and key internal partners, including Business Development, Financial Partnerships, Sales, Risk, Compliance, and Legal. While initially focused on high-level execution and the onboarding of enterprise clients, this is a designated leadership track with the clear objective of building and mentoring our Atlanta underwriting team as we expand.

How you’ll make an impact

• MALPB Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement the underwriting and onboarding strategy for Checkout’s Merchant Acquiring Limited Purpose Bank, ensuring alignment with local regulatory requirements and global standards.

• Enterprise Decision Authority: Own the underwriting lifecycle for complex enterprise applications, focusing on deep-dive analysis of Business Models, Credit Exposure, and Financial Statements.

• Regulatory & External Representation: Represent Underwriting in high-stakes external calls and meetings with third parties, including the regulator, auditors, and card schemes.

• High-Risk Domain Expertise: Mitigate micro and macro risks for high-value merchants in complex, high-risk sectors such as travel, ticket and events, gambling, and securities.

• Operational Oversight: Exercise ultimate oversight over decisions made by Risk Operations and identify systemic recommendations to improve the merchant onboarding experience.

• Commercial Partnership: Foster a culture of collaboration by partnering with the Commercial team and representing Underwriting in customer calls to drive creative solutions.

• Talent Incubation: High-grade the technical skills of junior team members through training initiatives on business model and credit analysis in line with internal policy.

What we’re looking for

• Sector Authority: 8+ years of deep-domain experience in merchant underwriting, with a proven track record of expert business model assessment and identification of credit risk exposure.

• Financial Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in analyzing profit and loss, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for enterprise customers.

• Regulatory Sophistication: Strong command of Customer Due Diligence (CDD), KYC, and KYB frameworks within a regulated banking or fintech environment.

• Strategic Judgment: A demonstrated ability to balance risk and reward, making sound, autonomous decisions that protect the company while enabling commercial growth.

• Executive Communication: Exceptional written and interpersonal skills with the "gravitas" to lead customer calls and influence internal senior management.

• Leadership Readiness: A passion for coaching and a desire to transition from an elite individual contributor into a people leader as the Atlanta hub expands.

• Culture Carrier: Leading by example, you will demonstrate our core Values and live out our Operating Principles in everything you do.

• Customer First and One-Team Mentality: Adopt a ‘customer first’ mindset to deliver creative solutions for our merchants and contribute to cross-team collaboration and building a ‘One Team’ culture.

Additional Information

Bring all of you to work

We create the conditions for high performers to thrive, through real ownership, fewer blockers, and work that makes a difference from day one.

Here, you’ll move fast, take on meaningful challenges, and be recognized for the impact you deliver. It’s a place where ambition gets met with opportunity, and where your growth is in your hands.

We work as one team, and we back each other to succeed. So whatever your background or identity, if you’re ready to grow and make a difference, you’ll be right at home here.

It’s important we set you up for success and make our process as accessible as possible. So let us know in your application, or tell your recruiter directly, if you need anything to make your experience or working environment more comfortable.

Life at Checkout.com

We understand that work is just one part of your life. Our hybrid working model offers flexibility, with three days per week in the office to support collaboration and connection.

Curious about what it’s like to be part of our team? Visit our Careers Page to learn more about our culture, open roles, and what drives us.

For a closer look at daily life at Checkout.com, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram