Head of Risk US

Nubank•Miami, FL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Head of Risk US is a senior executive responsible for independent oversight of all risk disciplines within Nu’s US operation. The role leads the US risk surface and coordinates closely with global functional heads, including Global Credit Risk and the Global Market and Liquidity Head. It is a build-from-scratch opportunity to establish and grow a high-performing risk function in a fast-moving fintech environment. The role requires deep knowledge of the US regulatory landscape, the ability to engage independently with regulators and senior governance bodies, and frequent interaction with the US Board/Risk Committee and Nu’s executive leadership. The Head of Risk serves as the primary independent risk voice in US regulatory interactions and as Secretary to the US Board Risk Management Committee. The position also participates in key senior management committees and partners with business leaders to apply controls proportionate to risk and materiality. The position is based in Miami or Washington, US, with a hybrid work model requiring office attendance at least twice a week, typically two to three times per week.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
15+ years of experience in risk management within financial services, including significant experience in the US market.
Deep expertise in the US regulatory environment, including OCC, Fed, and FDIC.
Experience engaging directly with regulators at a senior level.
Experience building or significantly transforming a risk function from an early- or mid-stage into a mature framework.
Solid understanding of credit, market, liquidity, operational, financial crime, and compliance risk, with particular depth in AML/BSA, operational risk, and cyber.
Ability to build structure from scratch and work effectively amid ambiguity in a fast-moving environment.
Hands-on leadership style, with willingness to be deeply involved in operational realities.
Ability to engage independently with boards and regulators.
Strong stakeholder management skills, particularly with engineering and technology teams, including translating risk requirements into development priorities and negotiating trade-offs.
Ability to apply controls proportionally to materiality and act as a business partner.
Adaptability to changes in the regulatory landscape and shifting priorities.
Intellectual curiosity, a data-driven approach, and commitment to continuous learning.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree such as an MBA, MSc in Finance, or JD.
Professional certification such as CFA or FRM.
Experience in financial institutions, fintechs, or challenger banks.
Credit risk expertise.

Responsibilities

Build and lead a comprehensive US risk management framework covering credit, market, liquidity, operational, financial crime, and compliance risk.
Develop a risk appetite framework and limit structure aligned with the US Board’s stated risk tolerance.
Establish risk metrics, reporting dashboards, and early warning indicators to monitor exposures and escalate material issues.
Serve as Secretary to the US Board Risk Management Committee and prepare and circulate its agendas and minutes.
Participate as a permanent member of the Risk Committee, ALCO, Compliance Committee, and New Product Approval Committee.
Serve as the primary independent risk voice in interactions with US regulators.
Ensure the control environment meets and anticipates regulatory expectations, and develop and maintain relationships with regulators.
Oversee day-to-day management of the US risk surface, coordinating with global functional heads on credit, market/liquidity, operational, and financial crime risk.
Apply risk-proportionate controls based on materiality to enable business growth.
Monitor operational loss events, cyber incidents, and key risk indicators, ensuring mitigation strategies are in place and effective.
Lead and develop the US risk team, fostering high standards, intellectual rigor, and ownership.
Build a strong working relationship with engineering and technology teams to ensure risk infrastructure is appropriately prioritized and developed.
Collaborate with the US Country Manager, Legal, Compliance, and Finance to embed risk awareness across the organization.
Partner with the US leadership team, treating risk as an enabler rather than a blocker.