At a Glance
- Tasks: Monitor and optimise SME & Consumer lending portfolios while providing insights for credit strategy.
- Company: DF Capital, an innovative bank focused on tailored financial solutions.
- Benefits: Private medical insurance, generous pension, gym membership, and 30 days annual leave.
- Other info: Vibrant office in Manchester with excellent community support initiatives.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team making a real impact in the finance sector.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in commercial lending with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We’re DF Capital – a specialist bank providing award-winning commercial finance, retail finance, and savings products to consumers and small businesses. Based in Manchester, we serve thousands of customers across the UK and into Europe, supporting their ambitions with tailored financial solutions. We help our customers realise their ambitions by doing things differently – combining the agility and innovation of a specialist lender with the security and service standards of a regulated bank. Whether it’s flexible lending structures or straightforward savings options, we focus on what matters most to our customers.
In 2025, we launched DF Capital Retail Finance – a subsidiary of DF Capital Bank Limited – to offer specialist hire purchase solutions to retail customers. Our goal is simple: to do the absolute best for our customers, our communities, and each other.
YOUR NEW ROLE:
Our Credit & Portfolio team sits at the heart of the business, overseeing all aspects of the customer journey from onboarding to recovery. You’ll join the DF Capital Lending Decisioning, Credit & Portfolio team with responsibility for the monitoring, analysis and optimisation of the SME & Consumer lending portfolio. The role focuses on assessing portfolio performance, identifying emerging risks and providing insights to support credit strategy, risk management and commercial decision making. You will be detail driven, diligent, meticulous, and considered in your approach, spotting, and escalating issues early to drive the best possible outcomes for the Bank and our customers. A good level of proficiency in using Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe and other presentational materials is required.
Key Responsibilities:
- Portfolio Monitoring & Reporting
- Analyse the performance of the SME loan portfolio (arrears, defaults, recoveries, yields)
- Produce regular MI packs for senior stakeholders
- Track key credit metrics such as PD, LGD, and EAD
- Monitor sector, geographic, and concentration risks
- Risk Analysis
- Identify early warning signs of portfolio deterioration
- Conduct trend analysis across industries and borrower types
- Support stress testing and scenario analysis
- Assist in IFRS 9 provisioning and ECL modelling
- Data & Insights
- Extract and analyse large datasets (Excel, SQL, Python)
- Develop dashboards (using Power BI, Tableau)
- Provide actionable insights to stakeholders
- Strategy & Decision Support
- Support development of credit policies and risk appetite
- Evaluate new lending strategies and product changes
- Assist in pricing and profitability analysis
- Regulatory & Governance
- Ensure internal Credit reporting aligns with regulatory expectations
- Support audits and maintain data quality
Requirements
- 3+ years in commercial lending (or similar roles) to small & medium sized businesses with experience in one or more of the following areas: inventory financing, dealer stocking, leasing, asset finance, trade finance or ABL, including invoice finance.
- Ability to deliver against deadlines, articulate outputs from own analysis, recommendations and basis of decisions clearly and to a varied audience including SLT.
- Writing comprehensive reports including the basis for your recommendations.
- You will have excellent attention to detail, with the ability to conduct detailed statistical analysis, interpreting and articulating meaningful information from trends and statistics.
- Ability to work well on your own and as part of a team, building effective working relationships with colleagues across all areas of the business, and influencing others to take appropriate actions to address issues found.
Essential
- Experience in banking or financial services (SME preferred)
- Strong Excel skills
- Understanding of PD, LGD, ECL, IFRS 9
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Desirable
- SQL, Python or R experience
- Knowledge of UK regulatory environment preferred
- Experience in portfolio modelling or stress testing
Qualifications
- Degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics or similar
- Professional qualifications (CFA, FRM, ACA, ACCA) desirable
Benefits
- Private medical insurance for you and your family
- 10% Employer pension contribution
- 30-day annual leave entitlement plus Bank/Public Holidays
- Free Gym Membership
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Discretionary share awards
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Save As You Earn company share acquisition scheme.
- Tax efficient salary sacrifice scheme to obtain bicycles and electric vehicles.
- 3 days paid Volunteering leave to support our local communities.
- Vibrant office location in the lively city centre of Manchester.
Locations
Portfolio Manager in Cheshire, Warrington employer: DF Capital
Contact Detail:
DF Capital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Portfolio Manager in Cheshire, Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the finance and banking sectors, especially those who work at DF Capital or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your analytical skills. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled portfolio performance issues in the past. Use real examples to show off your problem-solving prowess and attention to detail.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your tech skills! If you’ve got experience with Excel, SQL, or data visualisation tools like Power BI, make sure to highlight that. Being able to extract and analyse data is key for the Portfolio Manager role, so let’s flaunt those skills!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining DF Capital and being part of our mission to support customers and communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Manager in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Portfolio Manager role. Highlight your experience in commercial lending and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Since this role is all about monitoring and analysing portfolios, don’t shy away from showcasing your analytical prowess. Include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions or improve outcomes in previous roles. We love a detail-driven candidate!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to articulate your experiences and recommendations. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively with various stakeholders, so show us you can do just that!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining DF Capital and ready to take the next step in your career!
How to prepare for a job interview at DF Capital
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on key metrics like PD, LGD, and ECL. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that you understand the financial landscape and can contribute to the portfolio management process right from the get-go.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience with data analysis tools like Excel, SQL, or Python. Bring examples of how you've used these skills to drive insights or improve portfolio performance in previous roles.
✨Understand the Regulatory Environment
Familiarise yourself with the UK regulatory framework relevant to commercial lending. Being able to articulate how you ensure compliance in your work will demonstrate your diligence and attention to detail.
✨Prepare Insightful Questions
Think of questions that show your interest in DF Capital's approach to lending and risk management. Asking about their strategies for monitoring sector risks or how they adapt to market changes can set you apart as a candidate who is genuinely engaged.