At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of AI-enabled lending products and manage cross-functional teams.
- Company: Join Allica Bank, the UK's fastest-growing fintech firm focused on SMEs.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, private health cover, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fintech space while innovating for underserved SMEs.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial lending, product delivery, and familiarity with data analytics tools.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
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: Allica Bank aims to provide Expert Banking for Business Britain by providing excellent customer experience and pioneering technology solutions to facilitate this. The Autonomous Lending tribe runs across multiple business lines including Credit Operations and Underwriting, with a mission to build AI-first lending origination journeys, automating origination capabilities, data flows, and underwriting and operational workflow management. The tribe is a critical driver for Allica to continue to realise its vision of providing a market leading relationship-based banking experience, at a speed and cost to serve the rest of the market cannot match.
Role Description: The Product Owner will lead the work to define, deliver and manage AI-enabled products across our lending journeys, bringing together product design and thinking with a strong working knowledge of what today’s AI can and cannot do. You will be accountable for the roadmap of your team and for the full product lifecycle: discovery and design, day-to-day delivery, launch and adoption by colleagues and customers, and how risks are addressed once a product is live. You will aim to build robust, automated and well-governed systems and processes that enable us to move quickly and innovate our lending and financing products in the SME banking market.
Principal Accountabilities:
- Responsible for innovation and building end-to-end solutions for AI-enabled lending product, origination, underwriting and operational flows.
- Lead a small cross-functional team (e.g. a full stack engineer and AI specialist) to deliver your roadmap.
- Continuously review business needs, refine priorities and iterate towards measurable outcomes.
- Prototype and experiment quickly – vibe-code working prototypes yourself.
- Determine the accuracy of AI solutions by analysing the data yourself and building the verified “ground truth” datasets.
- Take responsibility for launch and adoption – briefing stakeholders, training the teams who will use the product.
- Produce the written work that keeps delivery moving and safe.
- Line manage, coach and develop your team, setting a high bar for delivery and for the responsible use of AI.
Personal Attributes & Experience:
- Knowledge of commercial lending origination and underwriting processes, principles and systems.
- Experience in a fast-moving or high-growth business.
- Proven track record of delivering agentic and data-driven products into live use.
- Strong process design, implementation and automation skills.
- Hands-on familiarity with Python, SQL and data analytics tools.
- Understanding of privacy and safety considerations when applying LLMs in production.
- Strong analytical skills and business acumen.
- Metric and outcome driven approach.
- Experience working with or leading product and engineering teams.
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.
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.
Product Owner – Autonomous Lending employer: Allica
Allica Bank is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment for its employees. With a strong focus on employee development, flexible working options, and a commitment to diversity, Allica empowers its team members to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the SME sector. As a rapidly growing fintech firm in Nottingham, employees have the unique opportunity to shape their own portfolios and contribute to the future of relationship banking.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Owner – Autonomous Lending
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Allica. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Owner – Autonomous Lending
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Allica.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Allica's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Allica
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Allica.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Allica will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Allica employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
