End Date
Thursday 28 August 2025
Salary Range
£144,424 - £169,910
We support flexible working – click here for more information on flexible working options
Flexible Working Options
Hybrid Working, Job Share
Job Description Summary
Job Description
JOB TITLE: Head of SME Trading Sectors, Commercial Banking Coverage
LOCATION: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds or Manchester
HOURS: Full time
WORKING PATTERN: Hybrid, 40% (or two days) in one of our office hubs mentioned above
About this opportunity
We’re looking for an exceptional leader to shape the future of our face-to-face SME Trading business. This is a unique chance to drive sustainable growth and deliver outstanding client outcomes for trading businesses with turnovers between £3m and £25m — a critical and fast-growing part of our Commercial Banking franchise.
In this high-profile role, you’ll lead a team of around 280 Commercial Regional Directors, Area Directors, and Relationship Managers/Directors, responsible for a portfolio of approximately 25,000 trading business customers. Collectively, this portfolio generates c.£750m in income, holds £5bn in lending, and £27bn in deposits, representing a key growth engine within our organization.
Your leadership will extend beyond client delivery. You’ll lead the Growth & Structured Finance team to support the structuring of complex deals, enabling key elements of our Trading Business strategy while championing the SME client proposition.
This is a rare opportunity to make a measurable impact across the UK economy, lead a high-performing national team, and set the standard for excellence in SME client engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Growth
* Define and implement a five-year strategic plan to grow the face-to-face SME Trading business franchise, aligned with the bank’s broader commercial objectives.
* Champion the SME client proposition, ensuring it is brought to life through a performance-driven culture and a relentless focus on client needs.
* Drive origination and acquisition of high-value clients by leveraging the bank’s capabilities, including lending, deposits, payments, trade, and specialist solutions.
* Lead and support Commercial Banking Coverage Sector Heads across priority sectors such as Manufacturing, Legal & Professional, Technology, Wholesale & Retail.
Sales & Relationship Management
* Lead, coach, and inspire a high-performing team across the UK.
* Embed a client-centric, insight-led sales culture focused on results.
* Represent the bank at industry events and with key stakeholders.
* Collaborate with Commercial Banking Coverage leaders to ensure optimal customer strategies.
Risk, Compliance & Credit Oversight
* Use credit skills to assess and manage risk effectively.
* Ensure lending and liabilities meet quality and policy standards.
* Maintain oversight of compliance with policies and regulations.
People & Culture
* Foster inclusive leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
* Invest in team development through coaching and mentoring.
* Create capacity and succession plans for long-term growth.
Key Skills & Experience
* Leadership experience in commercial or SME banking within a UK-regulated environment.
* Track record of sales growth and managing complex portfolios.
* Experience leading large, dispersed teams.
* Deep understanding of credit risk, regulation, and balance sheet management.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
* Strategic problem-solving and transformational leadership skills.
Performance Measures
* Growth in income and client acquisition.
* Retention and share of wallet expansion.
* Customer satisfaction and NPS improvements.
* Asset quality and RAROC.
* Team engagement and development metrics.
About working for us
We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We offer flexible working arrangements, reasonable adjustments for disabilities, and a comprehensive benefits package including a pension contribution of up to 15%, annual bonus, share schemes, and more.
Join us to make a difference and help Britain prosper.
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