Credit Risk Manager, Auto Finance

About the role

Pagaya is actively seeking a Credit Risk Manager, Auto Finance to serve as the central credit authority and execution partner for its auto finance portfolio and key alliances. In this capacity, the hire will own the full risk lifecycle for designated auto lending partnerships, balancing speed of decision with prudent capital protection. This role requires a hands-on leader who can operate comfortably in a fast-paced, matrixed environment while maintaining strict adherence to risk guardrails. The individual will directly influence product behavior and underwriting outcomes by translating complex dealer and borrower needs into executable credit rules. This position is pivotal in ensuring that Pagaya's AI-driven credit model remains both competitive and resilient in a dynamic marketplace. Success in this role will be measured by portfolio quality, approval efficiency, and the ability to execute decisions that strengthen long-term partner trust. This is a strategic role where judgment, ownership, and deep credit intuition are essential on a daily basis.

Key facts

What you'll do

Provide real-time direction and recommendations on complex auto deals to ensure timely approvals aligned with risk appetite and business objectives.

Own the governance and execution of credit exceptions, including LTV deviations, PTI buffers, pricing adjustments, rate concessions, and stipulation waivers within defined authority limits.

Exercise delegated funding authority to resolve aged held offerings and minor funding issues independently, reducing dependency on centralized queues.

Approve funding-related waivers such as customer interviews or minor documentation gaps when borrower strength and deal structure sufficiently mitigate risk.

Validate stipulations upfront before funding to minimize downstream friction and accelerate dealer onboarding and transaction completion.

Design and manage streamlined intake processes, including portal, workflow, or inbox structures, to enhance clarity for dealers and internal Ally teams.

Act as the primary feedback conduit between underwriting, field teams, dealers, and Pagaya headquarters to close information loops and refine policies.

Perform in-depth win/loss and lost-deal analysis to uncover take-rate opportunities, friction points, and competitive positioning gaps.

Translate frontline insights into concrete recommendations for credit policy, approval logic, pricing, and operational workflows, leveraging AI tools to ensure consistency and scalability.

Monitor early performance indicators such as first-payment default, fraud trends, and exception outcomes to inform rapid course corrections.

Utilize market intelligence tools like JD Power PIN and other marketplace driver reports to benchmark performance and guide strategic decisions.

Own day-to-day exception workflows and deal-level issue resolution, including reviewing daily AT files to identify failed loans, confirm prior approvals, and investigate unexpected declines.

Partner closely with product, risk, and engineering teams to drive iterative improvements that enhance product-market fit and operational scalability.

Ensure all decisions and exceptions are documented thoroughly to support audit readiness, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

Demonstrate prior experience in credit risk management, underwriting, or lending operations within financial services or a related regulated industry.

Hold a strong understanding of auto finance products, including retail installment loans, dealer participation programs, and ancillary service structures.

Possess proven ability to exercise judgment in approving exceptions and waivers while maintaining strict adherence to risk policies and regulatory standards.

Show capability to interpret financial statements, credit reports, and deal structures to assess borrower risk and collateral sufficiency accurately.

Have experience working with AI-driven or data-rich environments where insights are generated at scale to support decision-making.

Exhibit excellent communication skills to convey complex credit decisions clearly to internal stakeholders and external partners such as dealers and borrowers.

Bring a disciplined, analytical mindset to performance analysis, using data to validate risk outcomes and refine credit strategies over time.

Commit to upholding Pagaya's compliance and ethical standards in all interactions and decision-making processes.

Nice to have

Experience managing partnerships with major auto lenders or large dealer networks.

Background in marketplace lending or financial ecosystems where multiple credit providers serve a shared network.

Familiarity with AI-assisted decisioning tools and their application in credit risk workflows.

Practical notes

This is a full-time role based in the USA.

Travel, visa, and application deadline details are not specified in this source document.