Regional Lead - Direct Relationship Management - South in Bristol

About Allica Bank

Allica is the UK’s fastest growing company - and the fastest-growing financial technology (Fintech) firm ever. Our purpose is to help established SMEs, one of the last major underserved opportunities in Fintech. Established SMEs are the backbone of local communities - representing over a third of our economy - yet have been largely neglected both by traditional high street banks and modern fintech providers.

Department Description

Our vision is to reimagine Relationship Banking for established SMEs, through the very best people, products and digital tools. Allica’s Relationship Management team was formed in 2022 and continues to grow at pace, providing established SME customers with expert human relationships alongside modern banking technology. The team supports customers with lending, current accounts, savings, asset finance and working capital facilities, while building deep local relationships with SME customers, trusted professional advisers and business communities.

Role Description

The Regional Lead will be accountable for the strategy, leadership, performance and risk outcomes of a defined Direct Relationship Management region, leading a team of Relationship Managers (portfolio Relationship Managers and Business Development focused Hunters) to deliver against the business plan and regional OKRs, contributing to outstanding customer outcomes and the overall success of the D2C channel. This is a dedicated senior leadership role within the D2C channel and will combine clear commercial accountability with performance management and coaching, local go-to-market strategy, risk oversight and cross-team collaboration.

The successful candidate will use data, market insight and local knowledge to identify opportunities and performance issues, agree strategic and tactical actions to ensure the region consistently delivers strong customer, commercial, colleague and risk outcomes. The Regional Lead will play an active role in shaping the wider D2C channel, working closely with the Head of Relationship Management and other senior stakeholders to further develop the channel, recommend improvements, share best practice and support execution of channel and bank-wide initiatives.

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead, develop and performance manage a high‑performing regional team of Relationship Managers, creating a strong and meaningful operating rhythm, clear objectives and a culture of accountability, pace and continuous improvement.
• Own delivery of the region’s commercial plan to deliver against all agreed commercial targets.
• Prepare and present clear performance updates, regional plans and recommendations to the Head of Relationship Management and other senior stakeholders, demonstrating strong judgement, data‑led decision making and ownership of outcomes.
• Use regional performance data, pipeline insight, CRM activity and local market knowledge to drive timely actions to maximise regional performance.
• Provide hands‑on leadership, coaching and support to colleagues across the region, including regular one‑to‑ones, pipeline reviews, performance interventions, development planning and sharing of best practice.
• Lead the development and execution of the region’s local business development strategy, ensuring Relationship Managers and Hunters build strong local networks with established SMEs, accountants, solicitors, business groups and other trusted professional advisers in the non‑paid channel.
• Drive Allica’s ambition to be Most Recommended Bank for ESMEs’s in the region, supporting customer, prospect and adviser relationships where appropriate and ensuring the Bank is known locally for speed, expertise, professionalism and outstanding service.
• Be accountable for risk performance within the region, ensuring all required risk and control activities are completed to the required standard and in line with Allica’s risk appetite and policies.
• Support the continued development of the D2C operating model, actively seeking opportunities to grow and recommend scalable ways of working as the channel grows.
• It is expected that you will lead, nurture and coach your team, role modelling Allica’s culture and values at all times, and ensuring these are consistently reflected in the way your team operates.
• Work closely with internal teams and stakeholders to ensure a seamless customer and colleague experience and to maximize opportunities across the Bank.

Personal Attributes & Experience

• A proven senior commercial leader with experience leading, developing and performance managing high‑performing relationship management, business development or sales teams, in a regional leadership environment or similar.
• Strong understanding of SME banking and commercial lending, including relationship‑led origination in non‑paid channels, credit assessment, facility structuring, portfolio management and ongoing risk management.
• Demonstrable track record of exceeding commercial objectives while maintaining high standards of customer service, risk management, conduct and colleague engagement.
• Evidence of strong career progression and outperformance, with a clear track record of going beyond the core role to improve teams, processes, customer outcomes or business performance.
• A practical, hands‑on and resilient leader who is comfortable operating at pace, getting into the detail, solving problems, making decisions and taking ownership of outcomes.
• Ability to design and execute local business development strategies that are strongly aligned to commercial goals, customer need and Allica’s risk appetite.
• Excellent forecasting, CRM and reporting skills, with the ability to translate MI into focused action, coaching priorities and practical improvements.
• Strong people leadership capability, including the ability to hire, coach, develop, challenge and retain talented colleagues, and to create a high-performance environment where people know what is expected and are supported to succeed.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills, with the credibility to represent Allica with customers, prospects, advisers, colleagues and stakeholders.
• A strong external market perspective, including an understanding of local SME communities, professional adviser networks, competitor activity and wider macro issues impacting SMEs.
• Strong alignment to Allica’s values, with the judgment, integrity and energy to lead by example and help build the next phase of the Direct Relationship Management channel.

Working at Allica Bank

At Allica Bank we want to ensure our employees have the right tools and environment in which to succeed in their role and in support of our customers. Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, so our benefits are designed with you in mind:

• Full onboarding support and continued development opportunities
• Options for flexible working
• Regular social activities
• Pension contributions
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Private health cover
• Life assurance
• Family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave

Don’t tick every box? Don’t worry if you don’t have all the skills or requirements listed on the job description. If you think you’ll be a good fit, we’d still love to hear from you!

Flexible working

We know the ‘9-to-5’ isn’t right for everyone. That’s why Allica Bank is fully committed to flexible and hybrid working. Please let us know what is best for you and, if we can, we will do our best to accommodate.

Diversity

We’re a diverse bunch here at Allica, with all kinds of experiences, backgrounds and lifestyles. Our openness and differences make us stronger, and we want everybody to feel comfortable bringing as much of themselves to work with them as they like.