At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage finance operations for residential developments and ensure smooth funding processes.
- Company: Fast-growing residential developer focused on quality homes in Greater Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Proactive individuals will thrive in this entrepreneurial and fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Join a scaling team and make a real impact in the property finance sector.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in finance or banking, ideally with property finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
I'm working with a residential developer and investor building stand-out homes across Greater Manchester and the North West. Founded in 2018, they are scaling towards delivering 200 homes per year by 2030 through a disciplined, margin-first model focused on quality, detail, and long-term value. We’re now looking for a Finance Associate to join the growing team and play a key role in supporting the financial infrastructure behind that growth.
The Opportunity
This is a highly operational and commercially focused finance role where you’ll take ownership of development finance administration, lender coordination, covenant monitoring, and project appraisal governance across a portfolio of residential developments. You’ll work closely with the Finance Manager and wider development team to ensure funding processes run smoothly, reporting is accurate, and financial risks are proactively managed. This role would suit someone with experience in property finance, development finance, banking, or real estate lending who enjoys building systems, improving processes, and operating in a fast-paced growth environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the full debt application lifecycle across multiple SPVs
- Coordinate lender submissions and maintain funding trackers
- Monitor covenant compliance including ICR, LTV, and reporting deadlines
- Act as the day-to-day contact for development lenders
- Produce weekly loan book and debt reporting
- Manage banking administration including account openings and KYC processes
- Maintain and update project appraisals across the portfolio
- Ensure finance documentation is organised, version controlled, and audit-ready
- Identify risks, variances, and funding issues before they become problems
What We’re Looking For
- Minimum 2 years’ experience within finance, banking, or property finance
- Ideally exposure to residential development or real estate lending
- Experience managing debt applications, facilities, or banking administration
- Advanced Excel skills with the ability to build trackers and reports
- Strong attention to detail and organisational skills
- Confident communicator able to liaise professionally with lenders and stakeholders
- A proactive, self-starting mindset with a process improvement approach
What Makes You Stand Out
- You’re someone who takes ownership and closes loops
- Spots issues early and acts proactively
- Builds efficient systems and reporting processes
- Communicates clearly and professionally
- Thrives in a scaling, entrepreneurial environment
- Can prioritise across multiple projects and deadlines effectively
Finance Associate employer: Cobalt Recruitment
As a rapidly growing residential developer in Greater Manchester, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and innovation. Our Finance Associate role offers the chance to be at the forefront of our ambitious goal to deliver 200 homes per year by 2030, with opportunities for skill development and career advancement in a collaborative team focused on quality and long-term value. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial setting where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Associate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend finance-related events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their financial model and be ready to discuss how your skills can help them achieve their goal of delivering 200 homes per year. Show them you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Finance Associate, you'll need to liaise with lenders and stakeholders. Role-play common interview questions with a friend to boost your confidence and ensure you can articulate your experience clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Associate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Associate role. Highlight your experience in property finance or banking, and don’t forget to showcase your advanced Excel skills. We want to see how you can contribute to our growth!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about residential development and how your proactive mindset aligns with our goals. Let us know how you can help improve our financial processes.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail:In finance, details matter! Make sure your application is free from typos and errors. We appreciate candidates who can demonstrate strong organisational skills and a keen eye for detail right from the start.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cobalt Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the role, like ICR and LTV. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you understand the financial landscape of residential development.
✨Showcase Your Process Improvement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've improved processes in previous roles. This could be anything from streamlining debt application workflows to enhancing reporting accuracy. Highlighting your proactive mindset will resonate well with the team.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and professionally. Since you'll be liaising with lenders and stakeholders, demonstrating strong communication skills during the interview is crucial. Consider role-playing common scenarios with a friend.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Challenges
Think about past challenges you've faced in finance or banking and how you overcame them. This will not only showcase your problem-solving abilities but also your capacity to thrive in a fast-paced environment, which is key for this role.