At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex commercial lending transactions and develop bespoke funding solutions.
- Company: Fast-growing international finance group with an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, and significant autonomy in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and direct exposure to senior leadership.
- Why this job: Join a team where your decisions shape the future of finance and drive impactful deals.
- Qualifications: Experience in structured finance or commercial lending with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
An entrepreneurial and fast-growing international finance group is seeking to appoint an experienced Director – Commercial Lending to support its expanding UK and international lending and funding activities, primarily the Americas.
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 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.
Instead, the successful candidate will combine:
- Commercial judgement
- Structured finance capability
- Credit and risk assessment expertise
- 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.
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:
- Transaction assessment
- Structuring
- Commercial analysis
- Risk evaluation
- Negotiation
- Transaction execution
all 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, commercial viability, collateral structures, 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
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
- Corporate Banking
- Leveraged Finance
- Private Credit
- Debt Advisory
- Specialist Commercial Lending environments
Potential source backgrounds may include: challenger banks, debt funds, specialist lenders, structured finance boutiques, alternative lending platforms, 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
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- 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
- 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. The successful individual will gain:
- Direct exposure to senior leadership
- Broad transaction responsibility
- Involvement in complex and high-value funding structures
- Significant autonomy
- The opportunity to help shape the future capability of the business
For commercially minded finance professionals seeking greater influence, variety, and entrepreneurial exposure, this represents a rare and compelling opportunity.
Director Corporate Finance employer: GARY CHAPLIN LTD
Join a dynamic and entrepreneurial international finance group in Manchester, where you will have the opportunity to influence complex funding transactions and work closely with senior leadership. The company fosters a culture of innovation and autonomy, offering significant growth opportunities and the chance to shape the future of its lending capabilities. With a focus on bespoke solutions and a collaborative environment, this role is perfect for those seeking a rewarding career in commercial lending.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director Corporate Finance
✨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 Corporate Finance
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.
