Head of Lending
UDC Finance · 201-1000 employees
What the role involves
- Leading lending team
- Overseeing credit decisions
- Managing risk models
What they ask for
Proven track record leading high-performing teams, deep lending and credit expertise, strong credit risk management principles, strategic thinking, and excellent relationship-building skills.
- Manages people
About the job
Head of Lending
At UDC Finance, we've been helping New Zealand businesses turn ambition into achievement for almost 90 years. From transport and forestry to agriculture and manufacturing, we've partnered with the industries that keep New Zealand moving. Proudly Kiwi and future-focused, we are one of New Zealand's leading finance companies, committed to supporting our customers' growth and success.
We are seeking an exceptional Head of Lending to join our Auckland based team. This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly capable team, influence critical lending decisions, and play a key role in shaping the future performance of our business.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this senior leadership role carries significant lending authority and enterprise-wide influence.
You will:
- Lead and inspire a team
of approximately 24 lending professionals across wholesale and retail segments.
- Champion high-quality
credit decisioning while maintaining an outstanding customer experience and speed to market.
- Focus on process
refinement and delivery of best in market customer service.
- Ensure lending decisions
align with policy, risk appetite, and strategic objectives.
- Provide oversight of
wholesale rating models and retail scorecards, ensuring their effective and appropriate application.
- Partner closely with
stakeholders across the business to balance growth, risk, and customer outcomes.
- Contribute to the
ongoing evolution of UDC's lending capability and risk culture. What you'll bring
- A proven track record of
leading and developing high-performing teams and processes.
- Deep lending and credit
expertise with a strong understanding of credit risk management principles.
- Strategic thinking,
sound judgement, and the ability to anticipate and respond to changing market conditions.
- Excellent
relationship-building skills and the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups. At UDC, we are proud of our heritage but even more excited about our future. You'll join a collaborative and high-performing organisation where your leadership will make a genuine impact. In return, we offer flexible working arrangements, a strong and supportive culture, competitive remuneration, KiwiSaver, subsidised medical insurance, enhanced parental leave, and childcare support.
If you're looking for a leadership role where you can shape outcomes, develop great people, and help drive the future of a trusted New Zealand business, we'd love to hear from you.
Applications close COB Friday 2nd October 2026.