Head of Risk US

Nubank•Miami, FL

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Head of Risk US is a senior executive responsible for the effective and independent oversight of all risk disciplines within Nu’s US operation. The role leads the US risk surface, coordinating with global functional heads while building a high-performing local risk function in a fast-moving fintech environment. The US risk team is in its early stages and is expected to grow with the business. This high-visibility role requires deep knowledge of the US regulatory landscape and the ability to engage independently with regulators, the US Board and Risk Committee, and Nu’s executive leadership. The role is based in Miami or Washington, US, with an expected hybrid schedule requiring office attendance at least twice a 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.
Essential: 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 controls.
Ability to build structure from scratch and work effectively amid ambiguity in fast-moving environments.
Hands-on leadership approach, including willingness to engage in operational realities.
Ability to engage independently with boards and regulators.
Strong stakeholder management skills, especially with engineering and technology teams, including translating risk requirements into development priorities and negotiating trade-offs.
Ability to adapt quickly to regulatory changes and reprioritize accordingly.
Data-driven approach, intellectual curiosity, 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, and escalate material issues promptly.
Serve as Secretary to the US Board Risk Management Committee and prepare and circulate 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 maintain transparent, prepared relationships with regulators.
Oversee day-to-day management of the US risk surface in coordination with global functional heads.
Apply risk-proportionate controls based on materiality to support business growth.
Monitor operational loss events, cyber incidents, and key risk indicators, and ensure mitigation strategies are 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 so 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 US leadership and enable the business through risk management.