Principal Underwriter, SMB Risk

Clearco
CA

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior finance professionals who analyze SMB credit risk and refine underwriting frameworks in fintech.

Best fit for

  • Seasoned underwriters comfortable making independent credit decisions for SMBs.
    — “independently own credit decisions for individual accounts
  • Finance experts who excel at financial statement analysis and risk frameworks.
    — “Undertake detailed financial statement analysis to evaluate the financial health
  • Builders who improve underwriting processes for scalability.
    — “Builder mindset with a track record of improving processes for scale

Things to consider

  • Must handle time-sensitive ad-hoc projects with stakeholders.
    — “complete ad-hoc requests and projects, often with time constraints
  • Requires ongoing self-education on underwriting best practices.
    — “Continually stay abreast of underwriting best practices

How to stand out

  • Showcase specific improvements you made to underwriting frameworks.
    — “Develop and refine detailed risk frameworks
  • Highlight direct SMB underwriting experience in fintech or banking.
    — “Direct experience with SMB credit underwriting
  • Demonstrate clear examples of data-backed risk recommendations.
    — “delivering direct, data-backed recommendations to help the team win
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Principal

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • conduct reviews of SMB customers for credit decisions
  • develop and refine risk frameworks
Typical background
7+ years of experience in credit underwriting

Skills & requirements

Required

Credit UnderwritingFinancial Statement AnalysisRisk FrameworksFinancial Metrics And Ratios

Preferred

Familiarity With E-commerce Business Models

Stack & domain

Smb Credit UnderwritingFinancial Statement AnalysisRisk FrameworksFinancial Metrics And RatiosInternal Risk FrameworksAuthorization LimitsEscalation ProcessesUnderwriting Best PracticesCommunicationInfluenceOwnership And Growth MindsetRadical CandorCredit UnderwritingCommercial BankingSpecialty FinanceFintech Risk ManagementE-commerce Business ModelsDigital Health MetricsCore Compliance StandardsKyc And Aml

About the role

Original posting from Clearco via Ashby

Clearco is the capital partner that thinks like a founder. We provide fast, flexible, and founder-first funding designed to scale with your momentum. With over $3 billion deployed to 10,000+ brands, our performance-driven model delivers competitive terms, capped weekly repayments, and access to capital in as little as 24 hours. There’s no dilution, no personal guarantees, and no friction. Whether you're securing inventory, funding ads, or launching your next big product, Clearco helps you move faster with confidence.

What your day-to-day will look like:

  • Join Clearco as a senior leader on the diligence and underwriting team
  • Conduct reviews of SMB customers to reach robust, data-driven credit decisions
  • Work directly with customers and independently own credit decisions for individual accounts (approve/decline recommendations, exposure amounts, and key terms) within Clearco’s authorization and escalation framework
  • Develop and refine detailed risk frameworks for these decisions alongside the credit team
  • Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to complete ad-hoc requests and projects, often with time constraints
  • Undertake detailed financial statement analysis to evaluate the financial health of Clearco customers and prospects and effectively communicate findings to key stakeholders
  • Test and refine specific financial metrics and ratios to enhance the speed and accuracy of our underwriting
  • Maintain expert knowledge of internal risk frameworks, authorization limits, and escalation processes
  • Act as a trusted risk advisor to leadership, delivering direct, data-backed recommendations to help the team win
  • Conduct ongoing analysis of the credit portfolio to flag risks and execute remediation plans
  • Continually stay abreast of underwriting best practices and expand knowledge

What you’ll bring

EXPERIENCE

  • Degree in analytics, business, accounting, economics, finance, or equivalent practical experience
  • 7+ years of experience in credit underwriting, commercial banking, specialty finance, or fintech risk management
  • Direct experience with SMB credit underwriting and financial statement analysis

TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL

  • Deep expertise in financial underwriting, credit analysis, investment operations, or risk management
  • Comfort analyzing company data and financial statements to form clear, defensible credit views

DOMAIN AND COMPLIANCE

  • Familiarity with e‑commerce business models and digital health metrics
  • Working knowledge of core compliance standards, including KYC and AML

COMMUNICATION AND INFLUENCE

  • Strong quantitative and writing skills, with a track record of delivering concise, actionable recommendations
  • Clear, professional presence for direct customer communication, negotiations, and cross-functional collaboration

MINDSET

  • Strong analytical skills to break down complex problems
  • Builder mindset with a track record of improving processes for scale
  • Ownership and growth mindset; comfortable with radical candor

Clearco is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate our inclusive work environment and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply. At Clearco, we’re committed to developing and upholding an inclusive, transparent, and comfortable environment for all. We create a space where every voice, perspective, and idea is heard and acknowledged. We embrace differences and know that our diverse team is our strength and what drives our innovation.

Clearco is committed to developing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodation, please let us know and we’ll work with you to meet your accessibility needs.

We may use AI-assisted tools to support the recruitment process (for example, to organize and review applications). These tools inform our review, but people make the decisions. If you have questions about how your information is handled during hiring, please contact us.

Source: Clearco careers (Ashby)

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