At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex funding transactions and structure bespoke financial solutions.
- Company: Join a rapidly expanding entrepreneurial finance platform in the UK.
- Benefits: Significant autonomy, direct access to leadership, and influence on deal structures.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to shape the future of finance.
- Why this job: Step beyond traditional banking and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial lending or structured finance with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
A rare opportunity to move beyond traditional banking into a genuinely entrepreneurial lending platform, taking ownership of complex UK and international funding transactions with significant autonomy and direct exposure to senior leadership. Join one of the UK's most entrepreneurial and rapidly expanding specialist finance businesses, delivering sophisticated commercial, project and structured finance solutions across the UK and internationally.
This is a highly commercial, transaction-led role positioned at the heart of a dynamic specialist finance platform operating across bespoke commercial lending, structured finance, project finance, and international funding solutions. The organisation has developed a strong reputation for delivering flexible and creative funding structures across transactions ranging from under £500k to £10s of millions, that frequently fall outside the appetite of conventional lenders.
Its activities range from SME and mid-market commercial funding through to complex multi-million-pound domestic and international transactions involving sophisticated structuring, security arrangements, and cross-border considerations. As transaction volumes continue to grow, the business is seeking an experienced finance professional capable of taking ownership of complex funding opportunities, progressing transactions from initial assessment through to execution, and helping institutionalise internal transaction capability.
This is not a traditional underwriting role operating within rigid credit frameworks and committee-driven structures; this is a genuine deal leadership role. You'll structure, negotiate and execute complex transactions—not simply review credit papers prepared by others. Instead, the successful candidate will combine: commercial judgement, structured finance capability, credit and risk assessment expertise, and strong transaction execution skills to help drive complex deals through to successful completion.
The role sits directly alongside senior leadership and offers substantial autonomy, influence, and exposure to a highly varied transaction environment.
The Opportunity
This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced structured finance or commercial lending professional seeking a more entrepreneurial and commercially engaging environment. The business is specifically interested in individuals who enjoy complexity, autonomy, and high-level deal involvement rather than narrow institutional specialisation. You will become deeply involved in: structuring, commercial analysis, and transaction execution across a broad range of UK and international funding opportunities.
The successful individual will play a central role in helping the business scale its execution capability while reducing dependency on founder-led transaction management.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess complex commercial lending and funding opportunities
- Structure bespoke domestic and international funding solutions
- Analyse: credit risk, jurisdictional considerations, and transaction feasibility
- Prepare transaction papers, funding proposals, and risk assessments
- Manage deals throughout the full transaction lifecycle
- Coordinate lenders, borrowers, investors, lawyers, valuers, brokers, and external advisers
- Support negotiation and execution of funding structures
- Assist with relationship management across key counterparties
- Contribute to the continued development of scalable internal transaction capability
- Support strategic growth across lending and project finance activities
Candidate Profile
We are looking for someone who enjoys solving complex commercial problems rather than operating within rigid lending policies. Someone who combines technical lending expertise with commercial judgement and enjoys taking ownership of transactions from origination through to completion. Candidate profile and chemistry fit is critical for these pivotal roles as technical performance. This is a fast-paced, innovative, highly-entrepreneurial environment; attitude is as important as aptitude. The person is everything.
The appointees will be instrumental in driving the future of this business, delivery objectives and embracing the culture of this business; the gravity of success is all about having the right attitude, underpinned with demonstrable experience. The ideal individual is likely to come from: Structured Finance, Project Finance, Leveraged Finance, Private Credit, or Specialist Commercial Lending environments. Potential source backgrounds may include: debt funds, structured finance boutiques, or sophisticated commercial finance businesses. However, the business is not seeking a purely process-driven institutional banker.
The successful candidate must combine: strong technical capability, commercial instinct, transaction leadership, and the ability to operate effectively without excessive infrastructure or bureaucracy. The role requires someone comfortable making decisions, managing ambiguity, and driving transactions forward in a commercially intelligent manner.
Experience Required
- Significant experience within commercial lending, structured finance, project finance, or transaction execution
- Strong understanding of credit, security, transaction structuring, and commercial risk
- Experience managing complex funding transactions through to completion
- Cross-border or international transaction exposure advantageous
- Strong stakeholder management and negotiation capability
- Ability to operate autonomously within a fast-moving commercial environment
Why Join?
This role offers the opportunity to step beyond the limitations of traditional institutional finance environments and play a genuinely influential role within a growing international finance platform. Few roles offer this combination of: complex domestic and international transactions, direct access to decision makers, the ability to influence how deals are structured, exposure to an ambitious, high-growth finance platform.
For commercially minded finance professionals seeking greater influence, variety, and entrepreneurial exposure, this represents a rare and compelling opportunity. The role has significant scope to evolve as the lending platform continues to grow, offering the opportunity to become a key member of the senior leadership team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director - Commercial 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 GARY CHAPLIN LTD. 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 Director - Commercial 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 GARY CHAPLIN LTD.
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 GARY CHAPLIN LTD'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 GARY CHAPLIN LTD
✨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 GARY CHAPLIN LTD.
✨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 GARY CHAPLIN LTD 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 GARY CHAPLIN LTD 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.
