At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a customer-focused team at our Ashbourne branch.
- Company: Join Leek Building Society, a recognised Great Place to Work.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with continuous learning and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in team leadership and customer service is essential.
The predicted salary is between 29250 - 35750 £ per year.
£36,422 - £38,565 depending on experience per annum
Ashbourne Full Time | 35 Hours Per Week | Permanent
The Organisation
At Leek Building Society, we pride ourselves on being a force for good. We exist to help our communities grow, so they can do great things today and even better things tomorrow. Our colleagues are one of the communities we support. That's why we've created an inclusive, engaging workplace where people have the freedom to be themselves, develop their skills and build rewarding careers. We're proud to be recognised as a Great Place to Work, based on feedback from our colleagues, and equally proud to have been recognised externally, winning Best Building Society and Best Specialist Mortgage Provider at the 2026 British Bank Awards. As a mutual organisation, our members are at the heart of everything we do, and every colleague plays an important role in helping us deliver outstanding service to our customers and communities.
Why Join Us?
- 35-hour working week
- 7.5% employer pension contribution
- Minimum 26 days' holiday plus bank holidays
- Holiday purchase and sale scheme
- Free health screening
- 24/7 GP access for you and your close family
- Comprehensive mental health support, including counselling and Mental Health First Aiders
- Enhanced sick pay and family leave from day one
- Up to 6 months' guaranteed sick pay for major illnesses
- Life assurance worth four times your annual salary
- Workplace savings account with a £100 bonus for regular savers
- Continuous learning and development opportunities
- Retail discounts and salary sacrifice schemes
- Onsite gym at our Head Office
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities
The Opportunity
We’re looking for an inspiring and customer-focused Branch Manager to lead our Ashbourne branch. You’ll take responsibility for leading and developing the branch team, creating an environment where colleagues feel empowered to perform at their best and ensuring the branch consistently delivers excellent customer experiences and outcomes. Networking and relationship-building will be a key part of your role. You’ll be a visible ambassador for Leek Building Society, proactively developing connections with local businesses, schools, charities and community organisations. You’ll use these relationships to strengthen the Society’s local profile, identify opportunities for the branch to become involved in its community and help build lasting connections with the people and organisations we serve. Through visible leadership, commercial awareness and a commitment to continuous improvement, you’ll help the branch achieve its objectives and contribute to the Society’s wider Corporate Plan.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading, developing and motivating a customer-facing branch team
- Setting clear objectives, providing timely feedback, recognising strong performance and addressing concerns appropriately
- Coaching colleagues through observation, feedback and development activity
- Planning branch resources and organising the team’s activities to ensure the branch operates effectively
- Leading daily branch meetings and setting clear expectations and priorities
- Ensuring customers receive excellent service and that their needs are identified effectively
- Supporting colleagues to promote appropriate Society products and services
- Managing customer complaints and feedback in accordance with the Society’s processes
- Conducting customer interviews and serving customers to demonstrate what excellent service looks like
- Ensuring transactions and administrative duties are completed accurately and in line with Society procedures
- Maintaining effective cash, till, safety and security controls
- Embedding a positive risk culture and ensuring regulatory requirements are met
- Delivering against the branch balanced scorecard and encouraging a commercially focused approach
- Proactively networking with local businesses, schools, charities and community organisations to build meaningful relationships and strengthen the Society’s local profile
- Identifying opportunities for the branch to support, collaborate with and become more visible within the local community
- Promoting volunteering and community activity, and monitoring the impact the branch makes within the communities it supports
- Collaborating with colleagues across the Branch Network and Head Office to improve customer experience and operational effectiveness
What We're Looking For
Essential
- Experience of leading teams that develop customer relationships in a face-to-face environment
- Previous line management or team leadership experience
- Experience of working in a customer service environment
- Experience of working effectively as part of a team
- A passion for delivering exceptional customer service through others
- The ability to lead by example, coach colleagues and support their development
- Strong influencing and team leadership skills
- The confidence to address underperformance and challenge appropriately
- A good standard of numeracy and literacy
- A positive, resilient and proactive approach
- The ability to work independently, use your initiative and see the wider organisational picture
- Flexibility to work across different branch or office locations when required
- Willingness to work outside standard hours occasionally to support business or community events
Desirable
- Experience of working within financial services
- Knowledge of financial services products and the regulatory environment
- An understanding of different leadership approaches and how to positively influence, coach and develop others
Inclusion
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and able to succeed. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and communities and will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where required.
Pre-Employment Checks
As a regulated financial services organisation, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory pre-employment screening. Depending on the role, this may include:
- References
- Right to work verification
- Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Adverse credit check
- Financial sanctions screening
- Verification of qualifications and professional memberships, where applicable
Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of the relevant checks.
Application Guidance
As a regulated financial services organisation, honesty and integrity are important to us. We recognise that candidates may use technology, including AI tools, to support the preparation of their application. However, all information submitted must be accurate and genuinely reflect your own skills, knowledge and experience. We may explore application content further during the recruitment process to verify and better understand the examples provided.
Interested in Finding Out More?
A full Job Description and Person Specification are available on our careers website. We encourage applicants to review these documents before applying. If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know and we'll be happy to discuss how we can support you.
Join an award-winning building society where people matter, communities matter, and your career can thrive.
Branch Manager - Ashbourne employer: Leek Building Society
At Leek Building Society, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where our employees can thrive. As a Branch Manager in Ashbourne, you will benefit from a 35-hour work week, generous holiday allowances, and comprehensive health support, all while playing a vital role in enhancing community connections. Our commitment to employee development and recognition as a Great Place to Work makes us an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Branch Manager - Ashbourne
✨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 Leek Building Society. 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 Branch Manager - Ashbourne
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 Leek Building Society.
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 Leek Building Society'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 Leek Building Society
✨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 Leek Building Society.
✨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 Leek Building Society 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 Leek Building Society 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.
