Relationship Director, Corporate Clients (Yorkshire & NE) in Leeds

Santander is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.

Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

Corporate Clients are looking for a Relationship Director to join our Yorkshire & North East team, based out of Leeds. As a Relationship Director, you will be managing a portfolio of corporate clients, meeting financial expectations and ensuring clients receive a great experience, including timely intervention when required. You will also be responsible and accountable for driving primacy, growing the portfolio and meeting all governance requirements such as credit stewardship and financial crime.

To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• Leading a portfolio of corporate clients, driving growth through acquisition, relationship management, and retention in line with Santander’s strategic priorities.
• Developing tailored funding and lending solutions that meet client needs, collaborating with internal teams including Credit Risk, Portfolio Management, and Treasury.
• Acting as a trusted adviser, building deep, long-term relationships with clients and business introducers while enhancing Santander’s profile in the marketplace.
• Managing risk effectively, ensuring compliance with credit policies, regulatory frameworks, and financial crime standards while maintaining the quality of the portfolio.
• Driving business development activity, proactively identifying new opportunities and supporting the delivery of sustainable revenue growth and profitability targets.
• Providing coaching, performance management, and mentoring to Relationship Managers to build capability and share best practice.
• Championing digital adoption, using platforms such as Salesforce and nCino to deliver efficient onboarding, maintain data integrity, and improve client experience.
• Promoting Santander’s values and culture, acting as an ambassador for the bank and contributing to our goal of being the best bank for clients, colleagues, and communities.

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role:

• Experience of developing and driving a business development strategy, to deliver the Corporate Bank’s ambitious growth, through existing client network and intermediaries.
• High level of credit underwriting and financial crime risk skills.
• Proven record of providing high quality client experience.
• Proven experience of corporate businesses.
• Proven knowledge of risks and mitigations.
• Excellent presentation, negotiation, analytical, and report-writing skills.

Education:

• Degree-level education (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field such as Business, Finance, Economics, or Accounting.
• Relevant professional banking or finance qualification, such as the Chartered Banker Diploma, ACIB, CFA, or ACCA (or working towards).
• Advanced credit and risk analysis training or certification demonstrating sound commercial lending and portfolio management skills.
• Ongoing commitment to professional development, including regulatory awareness and leadership capability, aligned with Santander’s standards for continuous learning.

Hard Skills:

• Advanced credit and financial analysis — ability to assess risk, structure complex lending solutions, and prepare high-quality credit submissions.
• Strong commercial acumen — deep understanding of corporate banking products, markets, and the wider economic environment.
• Digital proficiency — confident use of CRM and workflow tools such as Salesforce, nCino, and Office 365 to manage client portfolios and ensure data accuracy.

Soft Skills:

• Exceptional relationship management and communication skills — able to engage and influence clients, stakeholders, and colleagues effectively.
• Leadership and coaching ability — inspires and develops others, fostering a culture of collaboration, performance, and continuous improvement.
• Resilient and optimistic mindset — approaches challenges positively, demonstrates adaptability, and promotes Santander’s values and behaviours.

At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return. Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.

Salary Range: £67,898.00 - £101,846.00 per annum (depending on experience). This salary range represents the expected remuneration for the role. Annual salary is based on a standard 35-hour working week. Actual salary offered will depend on skills, experience, qualifications and location.

30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5 years service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year.

£6,000 car allowance per year.

Company funded individual private medical insurance.

Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.

Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans.

As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services.

Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.

Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.

Support for every life stage — from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.

Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.

Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.

At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation. We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates.

We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.

To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles).

When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s).

All candidates must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander.

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply. If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch.