At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead credit risk analysis and shape funding decisions for ambitious trading businesses.
- Company: Join OakNorth, a mission-driven bank empowering communities and driving economic growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, personalised benefits, enhanced parental leave, and wellbeing events.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence key financial decisions and support community initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on business growth while developing your credit expertise.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in credit risk or corporate lending, with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At OakNorth, we're on a mission to empower ambitious businesses and the communities they serve. Since 2015, we've lent over $21 billion across the UK and US, helped create more than 58,000 new homes and 36,000 new jobs, and supported hundreds of thousands of personal savers — all while driving economic growth in the markets we serve.
We need a credit professional ready to move the needle on how we lend to the UK's most ambitious trading businesses. As an Associate Director in Credit Risk, you're not just reviewing papers — you're the quality filter for growth. You'll sit at the intersection of our Debt Finance and Credit Analytics teams, shaping how we structure deals for trading businesses across multiple sectors, making sure every decision we make supports the safe growth of the bank's balance sheet.
What you'll do
- From first credit paper to drawdown, you own the full deal lifecycle. Your analysis lands in front of Credit Committee, your voice shapes which businesses get funded, and your judgement is central to the bank supporting the right growing businesses.
- Central to the role is to challenge and collaborate with Debt Finance, Credit Analytics and senior members of the UK Credit team to produce high‐quality credit papers — pushing back when something doesn't stack up.
- Review FDD, financial accounts, and covenant models — and be able to explain and mitigate key risks, including proposing key terms and conditions.
- Write focused, incisive credit recommendations for Credit Committee: clear on risk, rationale for support, and proposed structural enhancements.
- Attend Credit Committee and question borrowers directly — you're not a silent reviewer.
- Oversee loan execution alongside Debt Finance and the Transaction Execution Team: security, documentation, conditions precedent, controls etc.
- Support Portfolio Management with in‐life increases, extensions, covenant resets and annual reviews.
- Assist in ad hoc team or bank initiatives and projects to help the bank scale and reach its ambitious growth targets, including increased adoption of AI as a key pillar.
What you'll bring
- Experience: Minimum 7 years of relevant experience, of which at least 5 years should have been in a credit risk or corporate lending role. SME cash‐flow lending is core to what the team does, and experience across a range of sectors, loan types and sponsor and leveraged finance is a real advantage.
- Technical knowledge: Strong grasp of credit risk models (RWA, PD, LGD), working‐capital mechanics, covenant setting, and financial analysis.
How you work
- You move fast, focus on what matters, and write with precision. You're tenacious but pragmatic, confident challenging deal teams, and strong enough to hold a position under scrutiny.
Nice to have
- Real estate lending exposure (residential development, investment or commercial property) is welcome but not essential. What matters most is quality of credit thinking.
Benefits & Perks
- 25 days holiday
- Personalized benefits – opt‐in to what matters to you
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Wellbeing and social events
- In‐house Barista Bar in London office
- Support causes that matter to you – Volunteering time off
Associate Director | Credit - Trading Business in London employer: OakNorth Analytical Intelligence
At OakNorth, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions professional growth and a collaborative work culture. As an Associate Director in Credit Risk, you'll enjoy a dynamic environment where your insights directly influence funding decisions for ambitious trading businesses, all while benefiting from 25 days of holiday, enhanced parental leave, and personalized benefits tailored to your needs. Our London office fosters a vibrant atmosphere with social events and a dedicated Barista Bar, making it a rewarding place to advance your career while contributing to meaningful economic growth.
Contact Details:
OakNorth Analytical Intelligence Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director | Credit - Trading Business in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to credit risk. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using mock interview tools to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise during interviews by discussing specific projects or deals you've worked on. Highlight how your analysis has positively impacted previous employers — this is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director | Credit - Trading Business in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about empowering businesses and making a difference in the community.
Be Specific:Use concrete examples from your experience to demonstrate your skills and achievements. We love seeing how you've tackled challenges in credit risk or corporate lending — it helps us understand how you can contribute to our mission.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Highlight relevant experiences that align with the responsibilities of an Associate Director in Credit Risk, so we can see how you fit into our team.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity and precision in writing. Make your points succinctly and avoid jargon where possible. A well-structured application will stand out and show us that you can communicate effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at OakNorth Analytical Intelligence
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your financial analysis skills and be ready to discuss credit risk models like RWA, PD, and LGD. OakNorth is looking for someone who can dive deep into the numbers, so make sure you can explain how these metrics apply to real-world scenarios.
✨Prepare for the Credit Committee
Since you'll be presenting to the Credit Committee, practice articulating your credit recommendations clearly and concisely. Think about potential questions they might ask and prepare your responses, especially around risk mitigation and deal structuring.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This role involves working closely with various teams, so be ready to demonstrate your ability to challenge and collaborate effectively. Share examples from your past experiences where you successfully worked with others to achieve a common goal.
✨Stay Current on Market Trends
OakNorth is all about empowering ambitious businesses, so show that you understand the current market landscape. Be prepared to discuss recent trends in trading businesses and how they might impact lending decisions, showcasing your industry knowledge.
