Head of Transaction Approval & Advice – ING Netherlands
INGThe Head of Transaction Approval & Advice (TA&A) is the most senior 2nd Line leader responsible for safeguarding the integrity, quality, and consistency of ING NL’s transaction‑level decisioning. This role ensures that ING NL only enters into transactions that align with the bank’s risk appetite, regulatory obligations, strategic priorities, and long‑term franchise value.
The function provides independent expert advisory, challenge, and approval across the full transaction spectrum, corporate & SME lending, structured and leveraged finance, specialised transactions, and other non‑standard or high‑risk exposures. It anchors a clear, consistent, and credible risk decisions. The Head of TA&A also plays a pivotal role in modernising ING NL’s deal‑approval and risk‑advisory environment, championing the responsible adoption of automation, advanced analytics, and AI‑enabled decision support. The role ensures that digital tools enhance the quality and consistency of risk decisions while safeguarding explainability, model integrity, and regulatory compliance.
Reports directly to the Chief Risk Officer, ING Netherlands, operating with substantial independence as part of the 2nd Line of Defence. Close collaboration with Credit Risk, NFR, Portfolio Management, Compliance, Group Risk, and relevant business lines is essential.
Roles and responsibilities
Lead, develop, and inspire a high‑performing team of senior credit‑risk experts
Build a culture of excellence, challenge, transparency, and craftsmanship in deal assessment
Ensure effective talent development, succession management, and workload planning
Independently challenge the 1LoD on credit analysis, borrower viability, structural soundness, mitigants, covenants, collateral, and risk‑return trade‑offs
Ensure that risk judgment remains professional and independent
Ensure all automated or AI‑supported decisioning complies with ING’s appetite, model‑risk standards, explainability requirements, and regulatory expectations
Responsible for prudent and active management of exposures with first sign of deteriorating credit worthiness in line with developed EWS standards
Active participation in Watchlist meetings and early detection of potentially problematic exposures
Ensure consistent adoption of ING’s global credit‑risk framework and relevant non‑financial risk requirements within the transaction lifecycle
Partner with Model Risk, Data Management, Compliance and NFR domains to guarantee data quality, model monitoring, fairness, explainability, and documentation
Represent TA&A in key risk committees, ensuring a clear, independent voice on deal governance and transaction risk
Recommend structural improvements to risk appetite, underwriting standards, and portfolio strategies
Collaborate with Financial Risk, NFR, Compliance, and Group stakeholders to ensure integrated and forward‑looking risk views
Role‑model a risk‑aware, integrity‑led, challenge‑friendly culture across ING NL
Help create a resilient risk organisation that balances trust, empowerment, accountability, and innovation
How to succeed
We hire smart people like you for your potential. Our biggest expectation is that you’ll stay curious. Keep learning. Take on responsibility. In return, we’ll back you to develop into an even more awesome version of yourself.
We are looking for the following knowledge and experience:
10+ years in credit risk management, structured finance, corporate lending, or similar domains.
Very strong strategic skills with ability to focus on high impact elements, detect and address challenges efficiently
Strong track record of 2LoD challenge and high‑stakes risk decisioning.
Experience with data‑driven risk decisioning, model‑based underwriting, and automated or AI‑enabled risk tools (preferred).
Deep understanding of prudential regulation, ECB expectations, underwriting frameworks, and deal‑governance standards.
Ability to make clear, defendable decisions under pressure.
Skilled at balancing commercial momentum with responsible risk taking.
Ability to bridge human expertise with machine intelligence, understanding where automation adds value and where human oversight is essential.
Independent mindset with strong ethical grounding.
Rewards and benefits
We want to make sure that it’s possible for you to strike the right balance between your career and your private life. Find out more about our employment conditions.
The benefits of working with us at ING include:
25-28 vacation days depending on contract
Pension scheme
13th month salary
8% Holiday payment
Hybrid working
Personal growth and challenging work with endless possibilities
An informal working environment with innovative colleagues
About us
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