Senior Associate, Structured Finance Portfolio Management | S2_SP3 | Corporate & Commercial Banking | Multiple Locations | Internal Mobility in London

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.

Corporate & Commercial Banking supports corporate clients with the insight, sector expertise and financing solutions they need to grow. Structured Finance Portfolio Management supports existing clients across a range of structured finance asset classes, including Financial Sponsors/Private Equity, Growth Capital and Corporate Structured Debt Solutions, with a focus on ongoing credit quality, customer engagement and effective management of the bank’s lending exposure.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Structured Finance Portfolio Management is looking for a Senior Associate based in either London, Birmingham or Manchester. This is an opportunity to take greater ownership of the management of complex and active structured finance relationships, working alongside Associate Directors and Directors. You will apply advanced credit analysis, financial modelling and judgement to assess changing client circumstances, support financing needs and protect credit quality. With reduced supervision, you will manage defined aspects of portfolio activity and client engagement while developing the skills and accountability 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:

• Taking responsibility, with limited supervision, for defined aspects of an existing structured finance client portfolio, coordinating reviews, actions and stakeholders to agreed deadlines and escalating material issues appropriately.
• Undertaking advanced analysis of management accounts, profit and loss, balance sheets, cash flow forecasts and financial models, alongside relevant sector, macroeconomic, geopolitical and other non-financial risks, to assess ongoing credit quality.
• Preparing well-reasoned credit reviews, risk assessments and credit committee papers with minimal oversight, and fully participating in committee presentations with support from senior colleagues.
• Identifying emerging credit concerns early, exercising sound judgement in recommending mitigants and working closely with Risk and senior colleagues within approved credit policies, appetite and controls.
• Assessing existing clients’ growth plans and proposed activities, including acquisitions, expansion and other changes, and evaluating their implications for lending structures, covenants and the bank’s risk exposure.
• Coordinating and managing relevant aspects of ongoing facility requirements, including covenant compliance, consent or amendment requests and drawdown processes, liaising with internal stakeholders and external advisers as appropriate.
• Building and maintaining constructive relationships with existing clients and management teams through regular dialogue, meetings and client strategy discussions, taking greater ownership of appropriate interactions.
• Working collaboratively with Risk, Coverage, origination and other internal teams to deliver timely client decisions, accurate credit and monitoring systems, high-quality reporting and an effective customer experience.
• Applying practitioner-level planning, influencing and coordination skills across multiple portfolio workstreams, taking personal accountability for work quality and customer outcomes while ultimate lending accountability remains with senior colleagues.
• Contributing to process improvements, reporting quality, digitalisation and wider team initiatives, and selectively supporting the development of apprentices or graduates.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

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.

Professional Experience

• Relevant experience in Corporate Banking, credit risk, structured finance or a comparable lending environment, with meaningful exposure to ongoing management of corporate lending relationships. (Required)
• Experience analysing financial performance and cash flow, assessing borrower creditworthiness and identifying and escalating emerging credit risks. (Required)
• Experience drafting credit reviews or credit submissions and coordinating client or facility matters with internal stakeholders with limited supervision. (Required)
• Experience engaging directly with corporate clients and their advisers, and assessing covenant compliance, financing requests or changes to existing facilities. (Required)
• Exposure to complex or event-driven borrowers across different structured finance asset classes. (Preferred)

Education

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

Hard Skills

• Advanced credit analysis and risk assessment skills, with an advanced understanding of corporate lending products, credit processes and related risk considerations. (Required)
• Advanced financial modelling capability and the ability to interpret profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow, leverage and debt service information. (Required)
• Ability to write robust credit papers with minimal oversight and participate fully in credit committee presentations with senior colleague support. (Required)
• Practitioner-level ability to plan, coordinate and manage multiple portfolio or facility workstreams, exercising advanced judgement in resolving credit and documentation issues with minimal guidance. (Required)
• Knowledge of loan facility terms, covenant monitoring and relevant legal documentation, including Loan Market Association documentation. (Preferred)
• Ability to interpret macroeconomic and sector developments and assess their implications for individual clients and credit risk. (Required)
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and the ability to use internal credit, monitoring and reporting systems accurately. (Required)

Soft Skills

• Confident communicator who can influence internal and external stakeholders, build trusted client relationships and explain credit judgements clearly.
• Highly accountable, organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to prioritise complex activities and understand the consequences of decisions while recognising when escalation is needed.
• Resilient, curious and commercially aware, able to challenge constructively and work collaboratively with Risk, Coverage and senior portfolio colleagues.
• Proactive about professional development and willing to support junior colleagues while building towards broader relationship and credit 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: [to be completed by the recruitment team]

• 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. 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.

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.

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)

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: Simon Greenhill on Teams or by email at simon.greenhill@santander.co.uk