At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor a dynamic team while managing key client relationships.
- Company: Join a leading bank committed to diversity and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusion with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the local market and support business growth.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in SME banking and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Salary: Competitive - will be discussed at interview stage
Location: Birmingham
Hours: Full-time
Working Pattern: Our work style is hybrid, which involves spending at least 1 day per week, or 20% of our time, at one of our office sites, at least 1 day per week, or 20% of your time with clients and the remaining 60% of your week can be spent working from home. As this is a senior leadership role, we'd expect you to manage your diary to suit business needs.
About this Opportunity
You'll be expected to build powerful networks to support the team to bring the whole bank to customers and will mentor, develop and support your team to be the most capable and effective they can be for our clients. You'll have a key external focus too, being a positive high-profile ambassador for the Group in the local market.
Our Relationship Management division has a rich heritage of supporting businesses and the economic prosperity of the nation, passionate about businesses and those with strong links across the city. We provide customers with the support they need to help them grow, handle risk, and improve efficiency, and we continue to invest in our relationship teams and deepen our product expertise to deliver a first-class service.
What you’ll be doing
- Contribute, as a board member of Midlands, Wales, and North West SME Leadership Team, to the strategic leadership and planning of the Sector in partnership with other senior colleagues under the overall direction of the Regional Director.
- Through inspiring leadership and promotion of Equal Opportunities, motivate, develop, mentor and appraise team members, so that individual and collective performance delivers stretching business goals.
- Develop the capability of the Relationship team and utilise specialist knowledge to support them in all aspects of their work, specifically developing their own local business plans and run their client portfolio to ensure full adherence with all policy and compliance requirements.
- Provide oversight to developing, structuring, and assessing client proposals to meet customer requirements and find opportunities to further develop income, guiding, recommending, and supporting implementation of the appropriate solutions.
- Regularly evaluate the team's performance against business objectives, including the supervision of regulated products (where the role requires), recognising individual/team achievement and taking corrective action where appropriate.
- Provide the appropriate support to the relationship management of clients and key business introducers in and across client segments, ensuring effective response to their business needs through all the available offers. Regularly interacting with complex clients at MDs, FDs and Boards of Director level.
- Promote the bank's image as a key figurehead in the local community and the Birmingham City Centre marketplace with a range of partners including influential, high value clients and city professionals to support development of new business opportunities.
What we’re looking for
- Proven SME or commercial banking leader, with accountability for a significant client portfolio and team performance.
- Strong track record of managing and growing a mature client book, with responsibility for income generation and balance sheet performance.
- Experience leading Relationship Director and Relationship Manager teams, driving consistent performance outcomes.
- Demonstrated experience managing senior client relationships, influencing effectively at senior leader level.
- Expertise in credit, risk and trading, including oversight of complex client structures and proposals.
- Strong understanding of operating within a regulated environment, with a focus on governance and risk management.
We know that great talent comes from many backgrounds. Whilst this job advert may reference specific experience, we recognise that skills are developed in many ways, so if you have relevant, transferable experience, we encourage you to apply.
This is a place for you
Our ambition is to be the leading UK business for diversity, equity and inclusion supporting our customers, colleagues and communities, and we're 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 a dedicated Working with Cancer Initiative.
We offer reasonable workplace adjustments for colleagues with disabilities, including flexibility in office attendance, location and working patterns. And, as a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee interviews for a fair and proportionate number of applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role with a disability, long-term health or neuro-divergent condition through the Disability Confident Scheme.
We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to reduce or remove barriers. Just let us know what you need.
Benefits
- A generous pension contribution of up to 15%
- An annual performance-related bonus
- 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
SME Area Director employer: Lloyds Banking Group
As an SME Area Director in Birmingham, you will join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises employee development and inclusivity. With a hybrid working model, generous benefits including a 15% pension contribution, and a commitment to diversity, this role offers a supportive environment where you can thrive while making a significant impact in the local business community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SME Area Director
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and start building connections! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to people on LinkedIn. The more you network, the better your chances of landing that SME Area Director role.
✨Show Off Your Leadership Skills
During interviews, make sure to highlight your experience in leading teams and managing client relationships. Share specific examples of how you've motivated your team or turned around a challenging situation. We want to see that you can inspire others!
✨Be a Problem Solver
When discussing your past experiences, focus on how you've tackled complex client needs and provided effective solutions. This role is all about understanding client requirements, so show us how you’ve done it before!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace SME Area Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in SME or commercial banking. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Leadership Skills:As this is a senior leadership role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to motivate and develop teams. Share specific examples of how you've led teams to success and fostered a positive work environment.
Highlight Client Relationship Management:We’re looking for someone who can manage and grow client portfolios effectively. Be sure to include any relevant experiences where you’ve influenced senior clients and driven business growth.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lloyds Banking Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a candidate for the SME Area Director role, it's crucial to come prepared with specific metrics that showcase your past successes. Be ready to discuss how you've managed and grown client portfolios, including income generation figures and performance outcomes. This will demonstrate your capability and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This position requires strong leadership skills, so be prepared to share examples of how you've motivated and developed teams in the past. Think about specific instances where you’ve mentored team members or driven performance improvements, and be ready to discuss your approach to inspiring others.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with the Birmingham market and the bank's position within it. Research local businesses and economic trends that could impact the role. Being able to speak knowledgeably about the local landscape will show your commitment and readiness to be a positive ambassador for the Group.
✨Prepare for Complex Conversations
Given the seniority of this role, you'll likely engage with high-level clients and stakeholders. Prepare for potential questions or scenarios involving complex client relationships. Practice articulating how you would handle these discussions, focusing on your experience with influencing at senior leader levels and managing intricate client structures.
