Relationship Director in Leeds

Country: United Kingdom

IT STARTS HERE Santander is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what's possible. This is more than a strategic shift. It's a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference. Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

Retail & Commercial Banking is a global business integrating all our retail and commercial banking activities to better serve our customers, improve efficiency and drive value creation.

Santander Yorkshire & North East Corporate Clients Team is looking for a Relationship Director based out of Leeds/Sheffield. In this role you will play a pivotal part in managing and growing relationships with corporate clients managing an already established portfolio of Mid Corporate Clients, many of whom have Private Equity investment and/or are complex in their requirements. In addition to this focus on maintenance, relationship development, retention and management of risk within the portfolio, a key focus of the role is actively identifying and pursuing new business opportunities in line with Santander's growth strategy.

We're shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. 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.

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We're enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring. The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role:

• Proven experience managing corporate or commercial banking relationships, with a strong track record of client acquisition, development, and retention. — Essential
• Providing first-class service and strong relationship management, including excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build trust and long-term client partnerships. — Essential
• Demonstrated ability to structure, negotiate, and execute complex lending or funding solutions, including experience preparing and presenting credit proposals. — Essential
• In-depth understanding of corporate banking products, credit risk management, and financial analysis, ideally gained within a major UK or international bank. — Essential
• Bringing an optimistic mindset and an ability to inspire others, positively embracing challenges and promoting Santander's values and behaviours. — Essential
• Experience leading, mentoring, or coaching Relationship Managers or similar professionals, fostering performance, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. — Preferred

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. — Essential

Languages:

• Fluent English (spoken and written) — Essential (Required)
• Additional European language skills (e.g. Spanish or Portuguese) — Preferred

Hard Skills:

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

Soft Skills:

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

At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return. Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It's about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.

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.

Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.

At Santander, we're proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation. We're committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates. We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.

To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles). When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s).

Every individual must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander either by way of nationality, visa or work permit. If you do require a working visa/permit this will not influence our decision on whether to progress your application. However, if you do not have a right to work, or an application for a working visa/permit is unsuccessful, Santander will not proceed with your application and will withdraw any conditional offer previously made.

We welcome applications on the understanding that, should you be offered this role, there may be no relocation package available. Santander will pay the employer mandatory government fees that are required to pay in connection with visa sponsorship. You may be liable for your own personal employee immigration and relocation costs.

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply. If there's anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it's a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we're available through email.