Relationship Director, Corporate Banking – Yorkshire & NE in Leeds

As a Relationship Director, you will be managing a portfolio of corporate clients, meeting financial expectations and ensuring clients receive a great experience, including timely intervention when required. You will also be responsible and accountable for driving primacy, growing the portfolio and meeting all governance requirements such as credit stewardship and financial crime.

To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• Leading a portfolio of corporate clients, driving growth through acquisition, relationship management, and retention in line with Santander’s strategic priorities.
• Developing tailored funding and lending solutions that meet client needs, collaborating with internal teams including Credit Risk, Portfolio Management, and Treasury.
• Acting as a trusted adviser, building deep, long-term relationships with clients and business introducers while enhancing Santander’s profile in the marketplace.
• Managing risk effectively, ensuring compliance with credit policies, regulatory frameworks, and financial crime standards while maintaining the quality of the portfolio.
• Driving business development activity, proactively identifying new opportunities and supporting the delivery of sustainable revenue growth and profitability targets.
• Providing coaching, performance management, and mentoring to Relationship Managers to build capability and share best practice.
• Championing digital adoption, using platforms such as Salesforce and nCino to deliver efficient onboarding, maintain data integrity, and improve client experience.
• Promoting Santander’s values and culture, acting as an ambassador for the bank and contributing to our goal of being the best bank for clients, colleagues, and communities.

Qualifications

Experience:

• Developing and driving a business development strategy to deliver the Corporate Bank’s ambitious growth, through existing client network and intermediaries. (Required)
• High level of credit underwriting and financial crime risk skills. (Required)
• Proven record of providing high quality client experience. (Required)
• Proven experience of corporate businesses. (Required)
• Proven knowledge of risks and mitigations. (Required)
• Excellent presentation, negotiation, analytical, and report-writing skills. (Required)

Education:

• Degree-level education (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field such as Business, Finance, Economics, or Accounting. – (Preferred)
• Relevant professional banking or finance qualification, such as the Chartered Banker Diploma, ACIB, CFA, or ACCA (or working towards). – (Preferred)
• Advanced credit and risk analysis training or certification demonstrating sound commercial lending and portfolio management skills. – (Preferred)
• Ongoing commitment to professional development, including regulatory awareness and leadership capability, aligned with Santander’s standards for continuous learning. – (Required)

Hard Skills:

• Advanced credit and financial analysis – ability to assess risk, structure complex lending solutions, and prepare high-quality credit submissions. (Required)
• Strong commercial acumen – deep understanding of corporate banking products, markets, and the wider economic environment. (Required)
• Digital proficiency – confident use of CRM and workflow tools such as Salesforce, nCino, and Office 365 to manage client portfolios and ensure data accuracy. (Required)

Soft Skills:

• Exceptional relationship management and communication skills – able to engage and influence clients, stakeholders, and colleagues effectively. (Required)
• Leadership and coaching ability – inspires and develops others, fostering a culture of collaboration, performance, and continuous improvement. (Required)
• Resilient and optimistic mindset – approaches challenges positively, demonstrates adaptability, and promotes Santander’s values and behaviours. (Required)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All candidates must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander.

Benefits

• Salary Range: £67,898.00 - £101,846.00 per annum (depending on experience).
• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5 years service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year.
• £6,000 car allowance per year.
• Company funded individual private medical insurance.
• Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.
• Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans.
• As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services.
• Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.
• Wellbeing that goes beyond work – we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.
• Support for every life stage – from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.
• Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.
• Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.