Head of SME & Mid Market - Business Support Unit in London

Head of SME & Mid Market - Business Support Unit in London

London Full-Time 71838 - 87802 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic team managing financial strategies for SMEs and Mid Markets in distress.
  • Company: Join Lloyds Banking Group, a leader in diversity and inclusion.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a generous pension, annual bonuses, 30 days holiday, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Be part of a culture that values growth, learning, and community support.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of financial services while making a real impact on businesses.
  • Qualifications: Extensive credit risk experience and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 71838 - 87802 £ per year.

End Date Wednesday 18 November 2026 Salary Range £0 - £0 We support flexible working – Flexible Working Options Hybrid Working, Job Share

  • Title: Head of SME & Mid Market - Business Support Unit
  • Department: Business & Commercial Banking Credit, Risk Function
  • Location(s): London, Birmingham, Leeds or Edinburgh

WORKING PATTERN: Our work style is hybrid, which involves spending at least two days per week, or 40% of our time, at one of our office.

Colleagues with disabilities can be supported with workplace adjustments including hybrid working expectations in line with our Flexibility Works policy.

Job Description The Head of SME & Mid Markets Business Support Unit(“SME & MM BSU”) leads the management of SME and Mid Markets clients in financial difficulty, predominantly UK businesses with turnover of up to £500m.

The role is accountable for delivering effective client treatment, restructuring, recovery and exit strategies, balancing fair customer outcomes with protection of the Bank’s financial and reputational position.

The role provides senior leadership and judgement across complex and material credit cases and portfolio risks, ensuring effective operation of delegated credit authorities and timely impairment and write-off decisions.

It also sets the strategic direction and operating model for SME & MM BSU, working closely with senior leaders across Risk and the business.

Leading a multi-location team of c.60 colleagues, the role will build the specialist capability required to manage current and emerging portfolio risks while leading significant transformation across the function.

This includes simplifying ways of working, making better use of data and technology, and leading colleagues successfully through change while maintaining strong engagement, accountability and operational resilience.

  • Key accountabilities
  • Lead SME & MM BSU, ensuring clients in financial difficulty are identified early and managed through appropriate client treatment, restructuring, recovery, or resolution plans.
  • Deliver fair and sustainable client outcomes by balancing customer treatment, commercial considerations, regulatory obligations, and safeguarding the Bank’s position.
  • Provide senior oversight and challenge on complex cases, including impairments, write-offs, and other delegated credit decisions.
  • Define the SME & MM BSU strategy and operating model in alignment with Group strategy, risk appetite, and regulatory and conduct requirements.
  • Provide strategic portfolio oversight, identifying emerging and developing risks and taking timely management action, including proactive impairment recognition.
  • Lead transformation, driving improvements in operational efficiency and the use of technology, data, and ways of working.
  • Build and lead a high-performing team and maintain effective relationships with senior internal and external collaborators.

Essential capabilities, knowledge and experience

  • Extensive credit risk experience across complex portfolios, with deep expertise in financial distress, restructuring, impairment, and write-offs.
  • Strong strategic and commercial judgement, balancing risk appetite, customer outcomes, growth, and regulatory expectations.
  • Experience operating credit delegated authority, risk policy, and governance frameworks, with the ability to make high-quality decisions in complex and ambiguous situations.
  • Demonstrable senior leadership experience, aligning credit strategy with wider organisational objectives and delivering across business boundaries.
  • Strong collaboration and influencing skills, with the credibility to engage senior executives, regulators, and external partners.
  • Ability to use data, analytics, and portfolio insight to identify emerging risks and support forward-looking risk management.
  • Proven success in leading high-performing teams, building specialist and future capability and delivering significant transformation and cultural change.

Our ambition is to be the leading UK business for diversity, equity and inclusion, supporting our customers, colleagues and communities.

We are committed to creating an environment in which everyone can thrive, learn and develop.

We were one of the first major organisations to set goals on diversity in senior roles, create a menopause health package, and launch a dedicated Working with Cancer initiative.

We offer reasonable workplace adjustments for colleagues with disabilities, including flexibility in office attendance, location and working patterns.

We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to reduce or remove barriers - just let us know what you need.

  • We also offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which includes…
  • A generous pension contribution of up to 15%
  • An annual bonus award, subject to Group performance
  • Share schemes including free shares
  • Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
  • 30 days’ holiday, with bank holidays on top
  • A range of wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies

Ready for a career where you’ll learn and thrive?

At Lloyds Banking Group, we're driven by a clear purpose; to help Britain prosper.

Across the Group, our colleagues are focused on making a difference to customers, businesses and communities.

With us you'll have a key role to play in shaping the financial services of the future, whilst the scale and reach of our Group means you'll have many opportunities to learn, grow and develop.

We keep your data safe.

So, we'll only ever ask you to provide confidential or sensitive information once you have formally been invited along to an interview or accepted a verbal offer to join us which is when we run our background checks.

We'll always explain what we need and why, with any request coming from a trusted Lloyds Banking Group person.

We're focused on creating a values-led culture and are committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the customers and communities we serve.

Together we’re building a truly inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference.

Head of SME & Mid Market - Business Support Unit in London employer: Lloyds Bank plc

Lloyds Banking Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cardiff that fosters professional growth and collaboration. With a competitive salary package, generous benefits including a robust pension scheme and flexible working options, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The company prioritises inclusivity and well-being, ensuring that all team members can achieve their full potential while making a meaningful impact in the SME banking sector.

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Contact Details:

Lloyds Bank plc Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of SME & Mid Market - Business Support Unit in London

✨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.

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We think you need these skills to ace Head of SME & Mid Market - Business Support Unit in London

Credit Risk Management
Financial Distress Expertise
Restructuring Skills
Impairment and Write-off Decision Making
Strategic Judgement
Regulatory Compliance
Leadership Experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

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How to prepare for a job interview at Lloyds Bank plc

✨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 Lloyds Bank plc.

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✨Show Your Passion for Finance

Since this is a full-time position, employers at Lloyds Bank plc 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 Lloyds Bank plc 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.