At a Glance
- Tasks: Win new customers and build trusted relationships with founders and finance leaders.
- Company: Join OakNorth, a dynamic bank for ambitious scale-ups and mid-market businesses.
- Benefits: Make a visible impact, enjoy ownership, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to shape the future of Business Banking.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that challenges conventional banking and drives real change.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial roles within banking or fintech, with an entrepreneurial mindset.
The predicted salary is between 66150 - 80850 £ per year.
Our Business Banking team supports some of the UK's most exciting scale-ups and complex mid-market businesses. We combine smart technology and data with the human judgement, speed and personal service OakNorth is known for.
OakNorth was built by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs - and we're looking for an ambitious, well-connected commercial operator to help take our Business Banking proposition to the next level. As Associate Director, Business Banking, you'll be at the heart of our growth. You'll find and win brilliant new customers, build trusted relationships with founders and finance leaders, and expand OakNorth's presence across mid-market businesses and their trusted advisors.
This isn't a role for someone who wants to work from a fixed playbook. We want someone entrepreneurial: a natural relationship builder who spots opportunities, creates momentum and turns ambitious ideas into commercial results. You'll have the ownership and platform to make a visible impact - for our customers, our team and OakNorth.
What you'll do
- Win ambitious new customers: Identify, engage and convert complex mid-market businesses from £2-100m turnover for their day-to-day operational banking and deposits.
- Build relationships that matter: Become a trusted partner to founders, CEOs, CFOs and trusted advisors by understanding their ambitions and helping them navigate the opportunities and challenges of growth.
- Grow customer value: Deepen existing relationships, increase product adoption and deposits, and ensure customers get greater value from OakNorth as they scale.
- Make OakNorth impossible to ignore: Be a visible and credible ambassador for the brand, strengthening our position as the go-to banking partner for ambitious growth businesses.
- Influence the strategy: Collaborate with Product, Marketing, Operations and other teams to remove friction, solve customer problems and help shape the direction of our offering.
- Show up where it counts: Represent OakNorth at the events, communities and conversations shaping the UK's entrepreneurial ecosystem - and create new ways for us to connect with it.
- Bring the outside in: Stay close to customers, competitors and market shifts, turning insight into ideas that sharpen our proposition and accelerate growth.
- Challenge the status quo: Keep looking for smarter, faster and more effective ways to win customers, build our network and improve the experience we deliver.
- Own the outcome: Take accountability for your pipeline, relationships and commercial results, bringing pace, energy and discipline to everything you do.
You’ll be a great fit if you have…
- A strong track record in a commercial, sales or relationship-focused role within banking, fintech or Financial SAAS business.
- Used to working in a start-up environment and able to adapt within a fast-moving, high-growth environment.
- An entrepreneurial mindset - you spot opportunities, act with urgency and enjoy building rather than simply following an established playbook.
- A deep understanding of what founders and CFOs need from a banking partner.
- A strong network across mid-market businesses and their trusted advisors to be able to grow the OakNorth brand within.
- Proven success building new relationships, opening doors and turning networks into meaningful commercial outcomes.
- Strong commercial instincts and a results-focused approach, with the confidence to own ambitious targets.
- Natural curiosity and the ability to quickly understand a customer’s business, ambitions and challenges.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the credibility to engage senior decision-makers and represent OakNorth externally.
- A collaborative, low-ego approach and the ability to work across teams to get things done for customers.
- Comfort operating in a fast-paced, founder-led environment where priorities move quickly and success is measured by impact.
- A genuine appetite to challenge conventional business banking and help build something exceptional.
What we offer
OakNorth is for people who want to make a visible difference. We move with pace, stay close to our customers and give talented people the ownership to turn ambitious ideas into real outcomes. You’ll join a business with the energy of a scale-up and the reach and responsibility of a bank. You’ll have the freedom to build your market, expand your network and help shape a Business Banking proposition designed around the UK's most ambitious companies.
Associate Director - Business Banking in London employer: OakNorth Bank plc
At OakNorth, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through personalised benefits, extensive wellbeing initiatives, and opportunities for professional development, all set against the backdrop of our vibrant London office. Join us in making a meaningful impact as we empower businesses and communities while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director - Business Banking 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.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like OakNorth Bank plc. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director - Business Banking in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to OakNorth Bank plc.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on OakNorth Bank plc's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at OakNorth 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 OakNorth Bank plc.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at OakNorth 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 OakNorth 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.