Senior Lending Manager

The Senior Lending Manager role will be responsible for establishing, developing and managing sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships with Intermediaries (panel brokers and Strategic Partners) as well as direct customers in the commercial and residential real estate lending markets, reporting into the Chief Commercial Officer.  

Through exceptional customer service the role holder will be focussed on building a customer base in their geographical location securing new broker and customer relationships as well as supporting existing customers with their financial needs.  

In this role the individual will deliver a first-class service to customers seeking funding solutions to their business requirements, underpinned by commercial property security, whilst operating within credit risk appetite and lending policy/criteria to source and complete quality lending propositions. 

As part of this role the expectation is that the individual will be able to play an important part in supporting the business in the ongoing review and development of lending appetite across its existing and new commercial loan products. 

Deliver lending volumes, product mix and deal level returns in line with personal targets to ensure the achievement of the wider businesses financial plan, with lead generation for wider products than property secured – both lending & savings plus in due course other products.

Where line management is part of the role you will be responsible for ensuring the performance of the direct report meets Bank requirements. 

Through effective and targeted networking across broker and professional communities raise the awareness and profile of the Recognise brand in the markets in which it operates, and proactively manage brokers onboarded to Recognises broker panel: Including the annual review of allocated broker firms and attendance of national broker events, seminars, dinners, awards etc.

Review and analyse all new business enquiries received and in the case of lending proposals that proceed, produce the required credit paper with credit analysis to support the timely sanctioning and completion of the transaction, working collaboratively with other members of the “Deal Team” (Lending Operations and Underwriter).

Ensure that all lending proposals are within credit risk appetite and lending policy / criteria, and meet the minimum returns set by the Bank.

Line management and mentoring or  less experienced Lending Managers with the assessment of new lending enquiries and the production of the related credit papers and where necessary manage workflow across the team. 

Ensure data quality is of a high standard and is regularly reviewed / updated to support the wider business and regulatory reporting requirements.

Provide an outstanding level of service to customers as evidenced through positive feedback and broker / customer surveys.

Provide open communication and transparency with multiple stakeholders internally (e.g. Lending Operations, Credit Underwriting, Chief Commercial Officer, Second Line Risk (credit assurance and compliance), Internal Audit) and externally where required.

Operate as a Subject Matter Expert in commercial and residential property lending;

Act as either lead or support on projects both within the Lending Team and across the wider business on commercial lending related initiatives.

Adhere to all regulatory requirements (as relevant) e.g. Consumer Duty, SMCR and complete all regulatory training in a timely manner

This role will likely carry a level of line management responsibility 

Corporate Responsibilities  

Read and follow all relevant company policies and procedures 

Adhere to all risk-related responsibilities applicable to your role, as set out in the Risk Management Policy  

Abide by all compliance and financial crime related policies, procedures and reporting obligations applicable to your role 

• 5+ years of lending experience. 

• ACIB qualification is desirable but not essential. 

• Experience and knowledge of a broad range of commercial and residential property secured lending sectors and market knowledge is essential. 

• Successful track record of identifying new business opportunities from networking within a geographic location, utilising a wide professional network and from an existing customer base. 

• Proven Business Development and relationship management skills. 

• Advanced Business Case writing and Credit Analysis