At a Glance
- Tasks: Build a strategic talent intelligence capability for one of the UK's fastest-growing banks.
- Company: Join OakNorth, a leader in modern commercial banking since 2015.
- Benefits: Equity options, 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a high-performing global team redefining talent engagement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of talent acquisition and influence business growth directly.
- Qualifications: Deep knowledge of the UK lending market and strong networking skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Help Build the Team Behind One of the UK's Fastest Growing Commercial Banks. At OakNorth, we don't just hire talent—we build the teams that help ambitious businesses thrive. Since launching in 2015, we've deployed billions of pounds in lending to scaling businesses across the UK, helping entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into market-leading companies. Today, our proprietary technology is also used by financial institutions globally, and we're continuing to redefine what modern commercial banking looks like.
We're looking for a Principal, Strategic Talent & Market Intelligence to build a market-leading talent intelligence capability for our UK Lending business. This is not a traditional Talent Acquisition role. You'll be embedded within our UK Lending leadership team, partnering directly with the Chief Lending Officer and senior executives to shape hiring strategy, provide market intelligence and build long‑term relationships with the industry's most exceptional talent.
We're looking for someone who already has credibility within the UK lending market—someone with an established network, a deep understanding of the commercial lending landscape and the judgement to recognise exceptional talent before the market does. At the same time, you'll be a key member of OakNorth's Global Talent Acquisition team. You'll collaborate with Talent Partners across the business, sharing market intelligence, sourcing strategies and best practice while helping shape the future of Talent Acquisition at OakNorth. This unique model combines the influence of an embedded business partner with the collaboration, innovation and career development opportunities of a high‑performing global team.
You'll combine strategic talent advisory, competitive intelligence, AI‑powered research and relationship management to help OakNorth attract and retain the very best lending professionals in the market.
The Opportunity
You'll build a strategic talent intelligence capability that gives OakNorth a genuine competitive advantage. Rather than reacting to vacancies, you'll identify market trends before they happen, build relationships years before hiring decisions are made and provide intelligence that influences organisational design, succession planning and business growth. Using Ashby as your strategic Talent CRM, you'll create a living ecosystem of market intelligence, executive relationships and talent insight that supports smarter hiring decisions across the UK Lending business.
What You'll Do
- Strategic Talent Partner
- Partner with the Chief Lending Officer and senior leadership to develop long‑term talent strategies that support business growth.
- Translate business objectives into strategic talent plans.
- Influence workforce planning and succession planning.
- Advise on build versus buy hiring decisions.
- Attend leadership meetings to understand future capability requirements.
- Provide market insight that shapes strategic hiring decisions.
- Market Intelligence
- Become OakNorth's expert on the UK lending talent market.
- Build and maintain live intelligence across:
- Organisational structures
- Team moves
- Promotions
- Compensation trends
- Reporting lines
- Team stability
- Succession risk
- Fundraising activity
- Office openings
- Emerging talent
- Develop insight into:
- Which firms are hiring
- Senior leadership movements
- Growing and shrinking lending platforms
- Compensation trends
- Team performance and stability
- Competitor hiring activity
- Emerging market opportunities
- Build one of the strongest networks in UK Lending.
- Develop trusted relationships with senior professionals across:
- Commercial Banking
- Corporate Banking
- Debt Finance
- Real Estate Finance
- Private Credit
- Alternative Lending
- Use Ashby as much more than an applicant tracking system.
- Build a strategic talent CRM that captures:
- Executive relationships
- Talent communities
- Market intelligence
- Competitor insights
- Career history
- Talent engagement
- Pipeline health
- Hiring trends
- Embrace AI to transform how talent intelligence is delivered.
- Explore new technologies that improve:
- Talent mapping
- Research
- Market intelligence
- Relationship management
- Workflow automation
- Reporting
- Productivity
- Help establish OakNorth as the employer of choice for ambitious lending professionals.
- Support thought leadership through:
- Industry insights
- Deal case studies
- Leadership interviews
- Podcasts
- Videos
- Market commentary
- Networking events
- Identify future leaders through:
- Industry awards
- Conferences
- Market transactions
- Professional networks
- Advisory firms
- Sponsor relationships
- Emerging Leader programmes
- Referrals
- Industry publications
What Success Looks Like
You’ll build intelligence that drives business decisions. Your outputs will include:
- UK Lending Talent Heatmaps
- Competitor Intelligence Dashboards
- Quarterly Opportunity Reports
- Emerging Talent Reviews
- Compensation Benchmarking
- Succession Risk Analysis
- Executive Relationship Mapping
- Ashby Talent Dashboards
What We’re Looking For
This role is ideal for someone who already knows the UK lending market inside out and has built a strong network across it. You may come from executive search, talent intelligence, commercial banking, private credit, strategy consulting, market intelligence or another commercially focused environment where understanding people, markets and competitive dynamics is critical.
You’ll bring:
- An established network across the UK lending market, including commercial banking, corporate banking, debt finance, real estate finance, private credit and alternative lenders.
- Deep knowledge of the UK lending landscape, including key organisations, market dynamics and where exceptional talent is found.
- The judgement to recognise what outstanding looks like across lending, origination and credit, with the credibility to engage senior professionals as a trusted adviser.
- A genuine hunter mentality with exceptional research, networking and relationship‑building skills.
- Strong market mapping and competitive intelligence capability.
- Commercial judgement and the confidence to influence senior stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate market insight into strategic recommendations.
- Experience using Ashby or another modern Talent CRM to build talent communities and capture strategic market intelligence.
- A passion for leveraging AI and emerging technology to enhance research, talent intelligence and productivity.
- A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for action.
Why Join OakNorth?
This is a rare opportunity to build a strategic capability from the ground up. You’ll work directly with senior leadership while being part of a high‑performing Global Talent Acquisition team that is redefining how talent is identified, engaged and hired. You’ll influence the growth of one of the UK's leading commercial lending businesses, help shape OakNorth's wider talent strategy and build a talent intelligence capability that becomes a genuine competitive advantage.
If you're entrepreneurial, commercially minded, deeply connected within the UK lending market and passionate about uncovering exceptional talent through intelligence rather than transactions, we'd love to hear from you.
What we offer
- Equity – we want everyone to have a stake in the business so our interests are aligned
- 25 days holiday plus personalised benefits – opt in to what matters to you
- Subsidised private medical insurance with Bupa
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Wellbeing and social events, plus in‑house Barista Bar in the London office
- Volunteering time off to support causes that matter to you
- Salary sacrifice schemes – cycle to work, nursery, gym, and electric car scheme
Equal Employment Opportunity
OakNorth is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or veteran status.
Principal, Strategic Talent & Market Intelligence – UK Lending 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 Principal, Strategic Talent & Market Intelligence – UK Lending in London
✨Dive into the Talent Acquisition Community
Get involved with communities specifically aimed at talent acquisition and recruitment. Follow popular forums, like the HR and recruitment threads on LinkedIn Groups or join Talent Acquisition Meetups in your area. Networking with fellow recruiters and industry experts can lead to hidden job opportunities and insider tips!
✨Show Off Your Expertise at Recruitment Events
Attend recruitment fairs and industry conferences where companies, including OakNorth Bank plc, often showcase their hiring needs. Not only can you meet potential employers face-to-face, but you can also demonstrate your passion and knowledge about the field. Make sure you've got some thoughtful questions ready to impress!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still connected to your university, tap into their career services. Many universities have exclusive job boards and connections with companies eager to hire fresh talent in recruitment roles. Plus, you never know who might be able to put in a good word for you at places like OakNorth Bank plc!
✨Tailor Your Digital Footprint
Make sure your online presence reflects your passion for talent acquisition. Share articles, join discussions, and post about trends in recruiting to establish yourself as a knowledgeable candidate. Recruiters often check candidates out online, so use platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your insights and enthusiasm for discovering the right talent!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal, Strategic Talent & Market Intelligence – UK Lending in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Passion for Talent Acquisition:In your cover letter, let your passion for recruiting shine through! Talk about what drew you to talent acquisition. Share experiences where you helped others find their dream jobs or any times you've been involved in hiring processes – it’ll show us at OakNorth Bank plc that you're genuinely invested in the field.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Certifications:Make sure your CV includes any relevant skills or certifications related to recruiting. Mentioning your knowledge of applicant tracking systems, personality assessments, or even any HR-related qualifications can set you apart. This way, we can see straight away that you're not just any candidate but one with the necessary tools for talent acquisition.
Tailor Your CV for the Job:When applying for Principal, Strategic Talent & Market Intelligence – UK Lending at OakNorth Bank plc, tailor your CV to reflect the job description. Highlight previous experiences in recruitment, candidate sourcing, or employee engagement that align with what we’re after. Personalisation shows we’re not just another checkbox on your job applications!
Bring Your Unique Perspective:In your cover letter, don't hesitate to share your unique perspective on what makes a good recruiter. Whether it's building strong candidate relationships or your approach to diversity in hiring, your insights can resonate well with our team. We love a fresh take, so let it shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at OakNorth Bank plc
✨Know Your Sourcing Strategies
In the talent acquisition world, it’s all about knowing the best sourcing strategies. Be prepared to discuss specific techniques you’ve used to find and attract top talent, whether that’s through social media, networking events, or innovative outreach methods. Bring examples that showcase your capability!
✨Value of Employer Branding
Employer branding is a huge part of recruitment, so be ready to chat about how you’ve contributed to building an attractive company image. Think about how you’d pitch OakNorth Bank plc to potential candidates and maintain a consistent brand image across platforms.
✨Demonstrate Your Interviewing Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, hiring managers will want to see your interviewing prowess. Prepare for mock interview scenarios where you might need to assess candidates' cultural fit and skill set. Practise asking competency-based questions to demonstrate your systematic approach.
✨Engage with Data and Metrics
Being data-driven is key in talent acquisition! Expect to discuss how you’ve used recruiting metrics to refine your strategies. Familiarise yourself with common KPIs, like time-to-fill and candidate satisfaction scores, and be ready to back up your insights with data!
