At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage relationships with over 100 lenders and optimise partnerships for business growth.
- Company: Bionic is the UK's top business comparison service, making it easier for small businesses to thrive.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, health perks, and a supportive work culture with family-friendly policies.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team focused on innovation and making a real impact in the finance sector.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in panel management, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication abilities required.
- Other info: Experience in alternative finance and project management is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.
At Think Business Finance, we help small and medium-sized businesses across the UK access fast, flexible funding so they can grow, invest, and thrive. We are seeking an experienced Commercial Relationship Manager to join our dynamic team to manage our relationships with our lending panel of over 100 lenders across the high street and alternative lending space. Reporting to the Head of Commercial and Operations, this role combines strategic planning with operational excellence to optimise our lender relationships and drive business growth.
The ideal candidate will bring significant experience in alternative finance and a proven track record in supplier and panel management.
Day to Day Responsibilities:
- Manage relationships with 100+ lenders, serving as primary point of contact while consolidating and strengthening core partnerships.
- Establish, monitor and improve Service Level Agreements (SLAs), implementing process improvements for increased efficiency and compliance.
- Negotiate and optimise commercial terms, commission structures, and volume-based incentives to maximise profitability.
- Monitor performance against KPIs, creating analytics reports on panel effectiveness while conducting regular review meetings with lending partners.
- Lead projects to streamline product offerings and enhance business capabilities for clients.
- Provide training to lending managers on products/updates and coordinate training sessions for lending partners.
- Collaborate with Operations, Sales, and Senior Leadership teams to ensure seamless communication and coordination with lending partners.
- Develop deep understanding of each lender's business to tailor approaches for mutual success.
What weβre looking for:
- Minimum 3 years' experience in a similar panel management position, preferably in alternative finance or commercial lending.
- Understanding of B2B commercial finance products and lending criteria.
- Strong analytical abilities to evaluate performance metrics and identify improvement opportunities.
- Able to apply solution-based thinking confidently.
- Strong track record of achievement preferably with B2B Services.
- Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated success in supplier relationship management.
- Experience in developing and managing commercial agreements and revenue optimisation.
- Track record of implementing and improving SLAs with measurable results.
- Excellent communication skills including presenting to senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and data analysis tools (desirable).
- Project management experience with a track record of successful implementation (desirable).
- Experience with digital customer journeys and self-service sales platforms (e.g., comparison sites).
This role requires strong communication and collaboration with internal teams and external senior stakeholders.
Benefits:
- Employee Assistance Programme, including a virtual GP service, priority physio & talking therapies.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing with tenure.
- 1 paid family & religious day of leave per year - following successful probation period.
- 1 paid charity volunteering day per year.
- Option to buy/sell up to an additional 3 days leave per year.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity or shared parental leave.
- 2 days off for your wedding upon joining, and up to 5 days after 2 years' service.
- Auto-enrolled salary sacrifice pension scheme.
- Life assurance.
- Season ticket loans, salary advances & loans to buy/rent a home - based on tenure.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Highflyers incentive, a VIP experience for our high performers across Bionic group to celebrate success.
- Company summer & Christmas party celebrations, business and local zonely & annual awards and recognition.
- Long service awards.
Commercial Relationship Manager employer: Bionic
Contact Detail:
Bionic Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Commercial Relationship Manager
β¨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the alternative finance sector. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or partners. Building relationships now can give you an edge when applying for the Commercial Relationship Manager position.
β¨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the lending panel that Bionic works with. Understanding their products and services will allow you to speak knowledgeably during interviews, showcasing your proactive approach and genuine interest in the role.
β¨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your negotiation skills. Since the role involves optimising commercial terms and commission structures, consider role-playing negotiation scenarios with a friend or mentor to build confidence and refine your techniques.
β¨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with SLAs and performance metrics. Think of specific examples where you've successfully implemented improvements, as this will demonstrate your analytical abilities and solution-based thinking during the interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Relationship Manager
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in commercial relationship management and alternative finance. Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in managing supplier relationships and optimising SLAs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for helping small businesses thrive. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities of the role, particularly in negotiating commercial terms and enhancing lender relationships.
Showcase Analytical Skills: Since the role requires strong analytical abilities, include examples of how you've evaluated performance metrics in previous roles. Highlight any tools or methods you used to improve efficiency and compliance.
Prepare for Interviews: If invited for an interview, be ready to discuss your experience with B2B commercial finance products. Prepare to share specific instances where you've successfully negotiated terms or implemented process improvements.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bionic
β¨Know Your Lenders
Before the interview, research the lenders that the company works with. Understanding their business models and what they offer will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your knowledge of the industry.
β¨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've successfully led. Highlight how you optimised commercial terms or improved SLAs, as this is crucial for the role and will show your capability in managing supplier relationships.
β¨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking
Be ready to discuss how you've used data analysis to evaluate performance metrics in previous roles. This will showcase your strong analytical abilities and your approach to identifying improvement opportunities.
β¨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since the role involves presenting to senior stakeholders, demonstrating excellent communication skills during the interview will be key to making a positive impression.