Senior Director - Strategic Finance in Manchester

We are expanding our Strategic Finance team in the North West as part of an ambitious growth plan to significantly increase our presence in the mid-market and sponsor-backed segment. This is a unique opportunity to join a high-performing team with strong momentum and a clear mandate to grow.

As a Senior Director, you will lead the origination, structuring and execution of complex senior debt transactions across the North West. You will take primary responsibility for deal leadership, from initial origination through to execution, and build a high-quality portfolio of mid-market, corporate and sponsor-backed clients. You will develop deep relationships with private equity sponsors, corporate clients and professional advisers, positioning yourself as a trusted partner in the regional deal ecosystem and enhancing the visibility of Strategic Finance in the North West. You will originate and convert high-quality lending opportunities, driving income growth, attractive risk-adjusted returns, and portfolio quality in line with our strategic objectives.

We are looking for high-performing, entrepreneurial individuals who want to shape a growing franchise. This is a genuinely high-impact role, offering significant visibility across the business and the opportunity to influence our regional strategy. You will be supported to originate and deliver transactions, develop your internal profile, and progress your career within a growing and ambitious platform. Whilst operating across the North West, there is a particular strategic focus on expanding our presence in the Merseyside market. This will involve building a strong local network, increasing in-market activity, and developing new client relationships in the region.

At Nationwide we offer hybrid working wherever possible. More rewarding relationships are supported through our hybrid approach, bringing colleagues together across our UK wide estate, whilst also supporting generous access to home working. We value our time in the office to solve problems, to learn, and to feel connected. For this job you'll be covering the North West region so will need to be based locally as you will be expected to regularly travel to meet customers across this region. Additionally, there will be a need to regularly connect with colleagues for collaboration events in one of our office sites. This is anticipated to be weekly in Manchester or Chester, however the location may vary.

You will play a key role in delivering the North West mid-market and corporate strategy by originating high-value, new-to-bank opportunities, with a particular focus on expanding our presence in the Merseyside market. Alongside this, you will develop and execute targeted sector and intermediary coverage strategies across priority segments, including Manufacturing & Industrials, ensuring a clear and differentiated market approach. You will build and lead a portfolio of strategic client and introducer relationships, acting as a trusted senior partner to drive long-term value. The role will also see you leading the structuring and execution of complex lending transactions, maintaining strong credit quality and ensuring alignment with risk appetite. Externally, you will represent the bank in the market, enhancing brand visibility and generating deal flow through networks, events and strategic partnerships. Internally, you will provide leadership within the Strategic Finance team, mentoring colleagues and contributing to a high-performance, collaborative culture.

As a minimum requirement, you will have:

• Significant experience as a senior business developer and relationship leader within mid-market or corporate banking, with strong North West market knowledge
• Proven track record of originating, structuring and executing complex lending transactions
• Exceptional technical capability in financial analysis and modelling
• Deep expertise in deal execution, credit structuring and stakeholder management
• Excellent commercial judgement with a focus on income generation and capital efficiency

Our customer first behaviours put customers and members at the heart of how we work together. They are the set of behaviours that every colleague needs to display, in every role:

• Feel what customers feel - We step into our customers’ shoes, using their feedback and insights to empathise with them and to understand their needs, so that every decision we make starts and finishes with our customers in mind
• Say it straight - We are brave in speaking out and saying what we think – we’re honest and direct with good intent, openly sharing diverse perspectives to reach the best conclusions and using language everyone can understand
• Push for better - We don’t settle for mediocrity, we challenge the status quo, taking responsibility for continuous improvement and personal development
• Get it done - We prioritise what will have the greatest impact, we are decisive, and we take accountability for delivering brilliant customer outcomes

You can strengthen your application by showing how our customer first behaviours resonate with you, and where you may have already demonstrated these.

There are all sorts of employee benefits available at Nationwide, including:

• 30 days holiday, pro rata
• Access to private medical insurance
• A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement
• Access to an annual performance-related bonus
• Training and development to help you progress your career
• A great selection of additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme
• Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of your death
• Wellhub – access to a range of free and paid options for health and wellness
• Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year

If you’re inspired by fairer finances, passionate about making a meaningful impact, and truly care about our customers, you’re one of us. At Nationwide, you are challenged to grow and rewarded for doing so. Valued. Recognised. Inspired to be your best. As a community, we want our working lives to count. As a team, we celebrate what we achieve.

If this role is for you, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. You’ll need to attach your up-to-date CV and answer a few quick questions for us. We respond to everyone, so we will be in contact shortly after the closing date to let you know the outcome of your application.