Regional Head of Leveraged Finance Risk Management (London)

We are seeking a strategic leader to serve as the Regional Head of Leveraged Finance Risk Management. This role will be responsible for the oversight, assessment, and governance of credit and market risks associated with leveraged lending activities, including acquisition finance, sponsor-backed transactions, and high-yield lending. The ideal candidate will bring deep product expertise, sound judgment, and a strong risk culture mindset to guide the business in prudent risk-taking aligned with regulatory expectations and the Firm’s risk appetite.

Key activities

• Lead the risk management function for the leveraged finance portfolio, including underwriting, monitoring, and portfolio review.
• Partner with origination teams, capital markets, and investment banking to evaluate transaction structures and ensure robust risk assessment.
• Approve or recommend credit decisions within delegated authorities, ensuring adherence to internal risk appetite and regulatory guidance (e.g., ECB leveraged lending guidelines).
• Oversee portfolio analytics, risk reporting, and stress testing to identify concentrations, emerging risks, and performance trends.
• Lead the development and refinement of leveraged lending risk frameworks, policies, and procedures.
• Represent the function in internal governance forums (e.g., credit committees, risk councils) and regulatory engagements.
• Collaborate with finance, legal, compliance, and operations to ensure comprehensive risk coverage across the leveraged finance lifecycle.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing team of risk professionals.

What we’re looking for

• Experience in credit risk management, with significant exposure to leveraged finance or high-yield credit.
• Strong understanding of deal structuring, sponsor behaviour, capital structures, and syndicated loan markets.
• Deep knowledge of regulatory requirements for leveraged lending (e.g., ECB, OCC / Fed / FDIC leveraged lending guidance, Basel).
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex transactions and challenge business line decisions constructively.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Advanced degree in finance, economics, or related field preferred; CFA or FRM is a plus.
• Strategic and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent analytical and credit judgment skills.
• Communication and influence at executive level.
• Risk/reward mindset with commercial awareness.
• Regulatory fluency and risk governance expertise.
• Leadership and talent development.

What else you need to know

This role is based in our Triton Square office in London, conveniently located within walking distance from Euston Station and Warren Street Station.

How we’ll reward you

• As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs.
• Eligible for a discretionary performance-related annual bonus.
• Pension with generous contributions of up to 12.5% from Santander, depending on your own contribution and length of employment with us.
• 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year.
• Company funded individual private medical insurance.
• Voluntary healthcare benefits at discounted rates such as private medical insurance for your family, dental insurance, healthcare cash plan and health assessments.
• Benefits supporting you and your family, such as death-in-service benefit, income protection, and voluntary life assurance and critical illness cover.
• Share in Santander’s success by investing in our Sharesave and Partnership shares plans.

For more information about our wide range of benefits and family friendly policies visit our website. Santander are an equal opportunities employer. When we talk about diversity, we don’t just want to pay lip service. Our customers come from a wide range of backgrounds, and so do our people. It’s important to us that we create an inclusive culture where everyone counts, and we particularly welcome applications from different underrepresented groups. For more information on our commitment to equal opportunities, please visit our diversity page.

What to do next

If this sounds like a role you’re interested in, then please apply on the link. Due to high volume of applications we may need to close this role earlier than the advertised date, so recommend submitting an application as soon as possible.