At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team managing loan performance and customer outcomes.
- Company: Join Recognise Bank, a modern bank supporting UK SMEs with tailored solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive time off, hybrid working, and private medical care.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while growing in a supportive, empowering environment.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in lending operations with strong leadership and analytical skills.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to making a difference.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Hello, We are Recognise Bank, a modern business bank built to support the UK’s SMEs with tailored lending and savings solutions. Founded in 2017 by experienced business owners, we set out to challenge traditional banking by offering more flexibility, understanding, and practical support to help businesses thrive. Since receiving our banking licence in 2021, we’ve built a loyal customer base and a strong, diverse team that puts people first. Our vision is building stronger futures with bespoke financial solutions.
About the role
A Portfolio Operations Manager is responsible for leading the team that manages the ongoing performance and servicing of the loan book. This includes covenant monitoring, compliance reporting, extensions, redemptions, arrears, and collections. You will also ensure operational execution, regulatory compliance, and strong customer outcomes, while driving team performance and continuous improvement. This role also supports the Head of Operations and COO in strategic projects and system and process enhancement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the portfolio operations team, ensuring timely and accurate servicing of loans throughout their lifecycle.
- Oversee covenant testing and reporting to ensure ongoing compliance with borrower obligations and internal policies.
- Support restructuring activities, including extensions, redemptions, and variations, ensuring decisions are well-informed, customer-focused and in line with Bank risk appetite and commercial requirements.
- Oversee collections and enforcement activity for non-performing loans, ensuring early engagement and effective resolution strategies and working closely with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure accurate record-keeping and workflow management using internal systems, including nCino.
- Monitor team performance against SLAs and KPIs, driving a high-performance, execution-focused culture.
- Collaborate with Risk, Compliance & Legal functions to ensure servicing activities align with regulatory expectations.
- Support process improvement and automation initiatives to enhance efficiency and scalability.
- Coach and develop team members, fostering ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Provide operational support to strategic and transformation projects.
Corporate Responsibilities
- Read and follow all relevant company policies and procedures.
- Adhere to all risk-related responsibilities applicable to your role, as set out in the Risk Management Policy.
- Abide by all compliance and financial crime related policies, procedures and reporting obligations applicable to your role.
Required Skills & Experience
- Minimum 8 years’ experience in lending operations, with a preference to bridging lending, with strong knowledge of portfolio management, arrears, and collections.
- Proven leadership experience, with a track record of managing teams and driving performance.
- Strong understanding of covenant monitoring, loan variations, and customer relationship management.
- Experience in debt handling, restructures and enforcement is essential.
- Proficient in using internal systems to manage workflows and maintain records.
- Familiarity with nCino is beneficial.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
Why Join?
At Recognise Bank, we’re building more than a bank — we’re creating a culture where people feel empowered to make a difference, supported to be brilliant with a can do will do attitude, and trusted to do the right thing. We believe that when our people thrive, so do our customers. That’s why we invest in an environment that reflects our values and supports your growth, flexibility, and wellbeing.
- Competitive Time Off – Generous annual leave plus bank holidays to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside of work.
- Work From Anywhere – Up to 4 weeks per year to work remotely from anywhere in the world.
- Learning & Development – Tailored training and support to grow your skills and achieve your professional goals.
- Hybrid Working – To support your work-life balance, we offer a hybrid working model with 4 days in the office and 1 day remote.
- Private Medical Care with Vitality – Comprehensive healthcare including optical and dental coverage to keep you healthy.
- Enhanced Pension Scheme – Helping you plan and save for a secure future.
- Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Pay – Supporting you and your family during important life moments.
- Discretionary Company Bonus – Rewarding your contribution to our shared success.
If you’re curious, driven, and ready to be part of something meaningful — where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your work makes a real impact — then we’d love to hear from you. Recognise Bank is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Senior Operations Manager | Portfolio in Milton Keynes employer: Recognise Bank Limited
Contact Detail:
Recognise Bank Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Operations Manager | Portfolio in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Senior Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Recognise Bank thoroughly. Understand their values and how they support SMEs. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission of building stronger futures.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to refine your responses. Focus on showcasing your leadership skills and experience in lending operations, as these are key for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Recognise Bank team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations Manager | Portfolio in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Senior Operations Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and knowledge of lending operations, as these are key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about working with SMEs and how your values align with ours. Show us your can-do attitude and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
Be Specific About Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, be specific about your achievements in portfolio management and compliance. Use numbers and examples to illustrate how you've driven performance and improved processes.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Recognise Bank Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Recognise Bank's mission and values. Understand their approach to supporting SMEs and how your experience in lending operations aligns with their goals. This will show that you're not just interested in the role, but also in the company’s vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Operations Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams, driven performance, and implemented process improvements in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Be Customer-Focused
Recognise Bank places a strong emphasis on customer outcomes. Think of instances where you've prioritised customer needs in your decision-making, especially in areas like loan servicing and collections. Highlighting your customer-centric approach will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex situations. Practice articulating your thought process when it comes to covenant monitoring, arrears management, or restructuring loans. This will help you convey your analytical skills effectively.