Job Description
We are partnering with a well-established and growth-oriented, relationship focused international bank to appoint a high-calibre Senior Relationship into a strategically important Midlands location. This is a pivotal hire, offering the opportunity to take full ownership of a profitable SME / Commercial banking portfolio, while playing a key role in driving the next phase of regional growth.This position goes beyond traditional relationship management. It is a high-impact, front-office leadership role combining business development, credit ownership and team leadership, where you will be responsible for originating and structuring transactions, deepening client relationships and delivering against ambitious balance sheet and revenue targets.
You will inherit a well-established client base, with immediate scope to enhance portfolio performance, while also building out new-to-bank relationships across the local market. With direct exposure to senior stakeholders and credit committees, the role offers significant visibility and the ability to influence both commercial strategy and lending decisions. For an experienced commercial banker seeking a role with genuine autonomy, clear revenue accountability and the opportunity to shape a growing franchise, this represents a compelling next step.
This is a senior, revenue-generating leadership role within the Banking function, accountable for end-to-end ownership of a commercial SME portfolio, including origination, credit structuring, portfolio risk management and performance delivery. The role holder will combine front-office relationship management with strong credit capability, driving sustainable growth across assets, liabilities and trade finance, while maintaining robust oversight of portfolio quality, regulatory compliance and operational governance. This position carries full accountability for portfolio income, balance sheet growth and client retention, alongside leadership of the specilaist team and contribution to broader regional strategy.
Core Responsibilities
1. Portfolio Ownership & Revenue Delivery
- Manage and grow a diverse portfolio of SME and corporate clients, typically comprising 40-70 borrowing and non-borrowing relationships
- Deliver against defined revenue targets, with portfolios typically generating £750k - £1.5m+ annual income
- Drive wallet share expansion across lending, deposits, trade finance and treasury products
- Actively optimise portfolio utilisation, pricing and return on capital
2. Business Development & Origination
- Originate new-to-bank relationships through structured business development activity, targeting 10+ new relationships annually
- Build and execute a robust pipeline strategy across key sectors (e.g. trading businesses, property, healthcare, retail, import/export)
- Leverage networks, introducers and local market presence to drive sustainable portfolio growth
- Cross-sell across lending, liabilities, FX and trade products
3. Credit Structuring & Risk Ownership
- Lead the end-to-end credit lifecycle from origination through to approval and monitoring
- Conduct detailed financial analysis (balance sheet, P&L, cashflow) including ratio analysis and stress testing
- Structure facilities including:
- Working capital facilities
- Property-backed lending
- Buy-to-Let (residential & commercial)
- Asset finance and project/bridging finance
- Prepare and present comprehensive credit papers (10-20+ pages) for internal credit committees
- Recommend appropriate security structures, covenants and risk mitigants
4. Credit Committee & Governance
- Present transactions to Credit Committee and senior stakeholders, demonstrating clear risk/reward articulation
- Maintain accountability for credit quality, early warning indicators and portfolio health
- Manage renewals, amendments and ongoing monitoring in line with internal policy
5. Client Relationship Management
- Act as a trusted advisor to SME and corporate clients, delivering tailored banking solutions
- Maintain high levels of client engagement through regular meetings and proactive portfolio reviews
- Oversee complex client needs, including multi-product relationships and structured facilities
- Drive high standards of customer outcomes (TCF) and service delivery
6. Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, mentor and develop a team of Relationship Managers and support staff
- Drive a high-performance culture aligned to revenue, risk and service KPIs
- Provide coaching on credit structuring, business development and client management
- Support the Area Head in delivering bank strategy, budgeting and performance reporting
7. Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
- Ensure full adherence to FCA / PRA requirements, SMCR and internal governance frameworks
- Oversee CDD / EDD processes, including complex and PEP relationships
- Maintain strong oversight of AML, KYC and operational risk controls
- Ensure all activity aligns with internal policies and regulatory expectations
Key Deliverables / Success Metrics
- Portfolio growth across assets, liabilities and income
- New client acquisition and pipeline conversion
- Credit quality and low impairment levels
- Delivery against P&L and balance sheet targets
- Team performance and staff development outcomes
Experience Required
- Proven track record managing SME / Commercial Banking portfolios (£5m-£200m+)
- Strong credit underwriting capability with experience presenting to credit committees
- Demonstrable experience structuring complex lending transactions (property, working capital, trade)
- Established network and ability to originate new business consistently
- Experience managing or mentoring teams within a bank or regional banking environment
- Strong understanding of UK regulatory environment (FCA, PRA, AML, TCF)
Leadership & Competencies
- Commercially driven with clear P&L ownership mindset
- Strong influencing capability across credit, risk and senior stakeholders
- Ability to balance growth vs risk discipline
- High levels of client credibility and relationship depth
- Structured, analytical approach to decision-making
