Commercial Lending Manager

Up to £70,000 plus EXCELLENT bonus and benefits

Hybrid working available (3 days a week in the office)

A newly created opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Commercial Lending Officer to join the Operations team at a highly prestigious private bank, based in the heart of London. The bank's commercial lending book is growing quickly, and this role has been created to handle the cases that fall outside its standard lending. You will be the senior point of reference for complex and unusual commercial facilities, working closely with Legal, Compliance and Credit Risk. You will line manage one direct report, with scope for the team to grow.

Duties of the Senior Commercial Lending Officer to include:

• Provide senior specialist expertise and oversight on the bank's most complex commercial lending cases, including bespoke structures and non-standard facilities.
• Lead detailed lending assessments, designing and recommending structures for commercial entities, commercial property and unusual assets that balance customer needs, commercial objectives and prudent risk management.
• Analyse customer financial information, lending proposals and supporting documentation to assess affordability, suitability and risk.
• Work hands-on with legal documentation, including debentures, collateral warranties and Section 106 agreements, in close liaison with commercial lawyers.
• Act as the main internal point of contact between Legal, Compliance, Credit Risk and operational teams on complex cases.
• Line manage one direct report, with scope for the team to grow, coaching and supporting them while staying involved in casework.
• Maintain governance and control frameworks for specialist lending, identifying control weaknesses and emerging risks and driving remediation.
• Monitor complex lending activity and risk trends, escalating issues in line with internal policy.
• Prepare, review and present lending management information, risk reporting and thematic analysis.
• Drive process simplification and continuous improvement across lending processes.
• Ensure complex lending journeys are delivered fairly and transparently, with a strong focus on customer outcomes.

Requirements for the successful Senior Commercial Lending Officer to include:

• At least 8 years' lending experience, with hands-on commercial lending experience essential.
• Experience of complex and unique lending structures, including commercial entities, commercial property and assets that other lenders would not consider, such as industrial units.
• Working knowledge of the specifics of commercial lending, including debentures, collateral warranties and Section 106 agreements.
• Broad technical knowledge of complex security and lending structures, such as syndicated lending, mezzanine finance, intercreditor relationships and hedging arrangements.
• Private banking experience is highly advantageous.
• Line management or mentoring experience is essential.
• Regular day-to-day work with commercial lawyers and legal documentation (you do not need to be a qualified lawyer).
• A relevant industry qualification is essential (e.g. CeMAP or equivalent).
• Broad technical knowledge of lending documentation and loan security.
• Experience operating within the UK regulatory environment, with a strong understanding of FCA and PRA requirements applicable to lending.
• Proven ability to manage complex lending transactions and stakeholder relationships.
• Degree level education or a suitable equivalent is desirable.

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