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 and collaborate across teams.
- 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 cashflow 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
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Associate Director | Credit - Trading Business employer: OakNorth
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 generous perks like 25 days of holiday, personalized benefits, and enhanced parental leave. Our London office fosters a vibrant atmosphere with social events and an in-house Barista Bar, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the financial sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director | Credit - Trading Business
✨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 your pitch. Know your stuff about credit risk and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with what OakNorth is looking for. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills during interviews. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in credit risk and lending. We want to see that you can think critically and make sound decisions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our mission at OakNorth.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director | Credit - Trading Business
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Associate Director role. Highlight your experience in credit risk and corporate lending, especially if you've worked with trading businesses. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at OakNorth!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about empowering ambitious businesses and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Keep it concise but impactful — we love a good story!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In your application, don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills. Mention specific examples where your credit recommendations made a difference. We’re looking for someone who can challenge the status quo and provide clear, incisive insights.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy — just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at OakNorth
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial analysis skills. Be ready to discuss credit risk models, working capital mechanics, and covenant settings in detail. This role is all about numbers, so being able to explain how you assess risks and structure deals will show you're the right fit.
✨Prepare for Real Conversations
You're not just there to nod along; you'll be questioning borrowers directly. Think about potential questions you might ask during the Credit Committee. Show that you can challenge assumptions and engage in meaningful discussions about the businesses you're evaluating.
✨Showcase Your Experience
With a minimum of 7 years in credit risk or corporate lending, make sure to highlight specific examples from your past roles. Discuss how you've successfully navigated complex deals and what impact your decisions had on the business. This will demonstrate your capability to own the full deal lifecycle.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams, so be prepared to talk about your collaborative experiences. Share examples of how you've worked with Debt Finance and Credit Analytics to produce high-quality credit papers. Highlight your ability to push back when necessary while maintaining strong relationships.
