Senior Associate, Financial Sponsors, Structured Finance | S2 | Corporate & Commercial Banking | London | Internal Mobility

Senior Associate, Financial Sponsors, Structured Finance | S2 | Corporate & Commercial Banking | London | Internal Mobility

Country: United Kingdom

IT STARTS HERE

Santander (www.santander.com) 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 robust risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

Corporate & Commercial Banking supports our corporate clients with the insight, sector expertise and financing solutions they need to grow. Within Structured Finance, we deliver bespoke debt-led funding solutions for complex and event-driven opportunities, working closely with clients and colleagues to combine commercial ambition with disciplined risk management.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Corporate & Commercial Banking is looking for a Senior Associate to join our Financial Sponsors team, based in London, Triton Square.

In this role, you will work alongside Associate Directors and Directors in the origination, structuring and execution of bespoke debt financing transactions. You will take ownership of significant elements of the deal process with reduced supervision, applying advanced credit, financial modelling and debt structuring skills while developing the judgement, commercial awareness and leadership capability needed to progress towards an Associate Director role.

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:

• Managing defined aspects of transaction execution and deal administration, planning and coordinating multiple workstreams, internal stakeholders and external advisers to deliver to agreed deadlines with limited supervision.
• Undertaking advanced financial analysis, financial modelling and credit assessment; drafting robust credit papers and committee submissions with minimal oversight, and fully participating in credit committee presentations with the support of senior colleagues.
• Contributing to the assessment and negotiation of debt structures, commercial terms and facility documentation alongside the deal team, using sound judgement to resolve structuring and legal issues with minimal guidance and appropriate senior oversight.
• Identifying and mitigating transaction and credit risks early, working closely with Risk and other stakeholders and operating within approved credit appetite, policy and control frameworks.
• Developing relationships with existing and prospective clients, management teams, key business introducers and professional advisers; supporting origination opportunities, pitches and marketing activity as part of the deal team.
• Working collaboratively with Coverage, Risk, product and other Santander teams to develop commercially appropriate financing solutions, contribute to financial targets and maintain disciplined credit quality and returns.
• Using effective communication, challenge and influencing skills with internal and external stakeholders, taking accountability for the quality of your work and its impact on deal and customer outcomes, while ultimate transaction accountability remains with senior colleagues.
• Contributing to strategic initiatives, process improvements and the development of the wider Structured Finance team, including selective buddying and support for apprentices or graduates.
• Maintaining high standards of conduct, data integrity, confidentiality and regulatory compliance, and taking ownership of your continued professional development.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us greater as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

Professional Experience

• Relevant experience in Corporate Banking, Corporate Finance or a comparable debt financing environment, including meaningful involvement in the origination, structuring or execution of corporate lending transactions. (Required)
• Experience preparing and critically analysing credit submissions, assessing transaction risks and coordinating deal processes with limited supervision. (Required)
• Experience engaging with clients, advisers and internal stakeholders on transactions, and contributing to business development, pitches or financing proposals. (Required)
• Experience supporting negotiations of debt terms or facility documentation and exposure to complex or event-driven financing transactions. (Preferred)

Education

• Degree-level education or equivalent relevant professional experience in finance, accounting, economics, business or a related discipline. (Required)
• Accountancy or similar professional qualifications are advantageous but not essential. (Preferred)

Hard Skills

• Advanced credit analysis skills and advanced knowledge of related risk and financial products available to the corporate market. (Required)
• Advanced financial modelling capability, including the ability to assess financial performance, cash flows, leverage and debt service capacity. (Required)
• Ability to write clear, well-supported credit papers with minimal oversight and contribute substantively to credit committee presentations. (Required)
• Excellent understanding of debt structuring, transaction execution, relevant legal documentation and credit processes, with advanced problem-solving judgement. (Required)
• Practitioner-level planning, coordinating and controlling skills to manage significant aspects of a transaction and competing deal deadlines. (Required)
• Ability to use relevant Microsoft Office and internal credit systems accurately and efficiently; familiarity with nCino is advantageous. (Preferred)

Soft Skills

• Confident and effective communicator, able to influence internal and external stakeholders and contribute constructively to negotiation and decision-making.
• Highly accountable and commercially aware, with the judgement to work with minimal guidance, recognise when to escalate and understand the consequences of decisions.
• Organised, resilient and collaborative, able to manage multiple workstreams under pressure and build great relationships across deal teams.
• Proactive in learning, receptive to feedback and willing to support junior colleagues while developing towards broader deal leadership responsibilities.

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

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.

Salary Range:

£57,069.00 - £85,603.00 per annum (depending on experience)

This salary range represents the expected remuneration for the role. Annual salary is based on a standard 35-hour working week. Actual salary offered will depend on skills, experience, qualifications and location.

• 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.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

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).

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. (Only applicable for roles that are eligible for sponsorship)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS:

PERMANENT ROLES:

• If you are currently employed by Santander UK plc on TSB Legacy terms or by TSB and choose to apply for this Santander vacancy, please be aware that, if successful, you will move onto full Santander terms and conditions of employment and will no longer be part of the TSB Legacy population with effect from the start date of your new role.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

For further Guidance please visit Internal Mobility - Candidate Guidance.

If you want to know more about the opportunity:

Please contact: Ruth Dorey - ruth.dorey@santander.co.uk

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