Small Business Risk Manager

We're seeking a Small Business Risk Manager to join our Risk Management Team based in Westerly, RI. This position is responsible for assessing, monitoring, and mitigating credit and operational risks within a small business lending portfolio. This role requires strong credit underwriting expertise, advanced data analysis capabilities, and the ability to design risk strategies that support growth while maintaining portfolio quality. The ideal candidate is highly analytical, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with large datasets, financial statements and risk models.

This is a hybrid position with required on-site work in our office in Westerly, RI.

Key Responsibilities

Credit Risk Management

• Develop and refine credit policies, scorecards, and underwriting standards to align with portfolio risk appetite.
• Conduct periodic portfolio reviews to identify early warning indicators, concentrations and emerging risks.
• Prepare and present credit recommendations to senior leadership or finance committee.
• Oversee quality assurance for underwriting and portfolio monitoring processes.

Data Analysis & Insights

• Analyze large datasets to identify trends, risk drivers, and opportunities to improve risk mitigation.
• Build and maintain dashboards, models and metrics to track portfolio performance (e.g. delinquency, default, recovery, utilization).
• Use statistical tools and business intelligence platforms (e.g., SQL, Power BI) to support risk forecasting and scenario analysis.
• Partner with data teams to enhance data quality, automation reporting, and refine risk measurement methodologies.

Portfolio Strategy & Risk Mitigation

• Recommend risk-adjusted strategies for pricing, credit limits, product design, and customer lifecycle management.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation programs - including early intervention treatments, collections strategies, and policy adjustments.
• Collaborate with Retail Banking, Loan Operations, and Compliance teams to ensure new initiatives align with regulatory requirements and risk appetite.

Regulatory & Compliance Oversight

• Ensure adherence to regulatory standards such as fair lending, CRA, UDAAP, and internal risk framework.
• Support internal and external audits by providing clear, accurate documentation and analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Economics, Business, Data Analytics, or related field, advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in credit risk, underwriting, or portfolio management within financial services or small business lending.
• Strong quantitative and analytics skills, with proficiency in data analysis tools (SQL, Power BI platforms).
• Ability to communicate complex analyses to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Our employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health and welfare benefits, paid time-off, work-life program, and a 401(k) plan. We believe employees who are valued, recognized, rewarded and empowered, will achieve personal and professional growth. Apply today and find out why we have been voted one of the Best Places to Work in Rhode Island since 2011!

The Washington Trust Company, and each of its subsidiaries and affiliates are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants as protected by state and/or federal law.