Credit Operations Lead — Real Estate Finance

Are you detail‑driven, risk‑aware and passionate about supporting high‑quality lending? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where accuracy, customer service and sound judgement really matter? If so, this could be the perfect next step in your Real Estate Finance career.

Secure Trust Bank is looking for a talented Credit Operations Assistant Manager to join our Real Estate Finance (REF) Credit team. In this critical role, you’ll help ensure that lending transactions are completed safely, efficiently, and in full alignment with approved credit terms and regulatory standards — all while contributing to a strong second line of defence.

Responsibilities

• Working closely with the Head of Business Finance Risk, the REF Credit Managers, and specifically the Credit Operations Manager (COM), you will play a key part in facilitating accurate, timely and compliant drawdowns across our REF portfolio.
• Key Responsibilities

• Reviewing and validating Valuation reports against Credit Opinion expectations – signing off or escalating concerns as needed.
• Assessing Independent Monitoring Surveyor (IMS) reports, identifying risks such as overruns or delays, and escalating any issues to the COM.
• Approving Conditions Precedent (CPs) to enable smooth and compliant drawdowns.
• Processing payment requests for completions and tranche drawdowns, and liaising with REF Finance and Relationship teams to resolve queries.
• Reviewing, validating and signing off monthly IMS drawdown reports for development transactions.
• Producing REF risk MI, including reporting for Executive Risk Committees, Senior Management, regulatory submissions and climate‑related data.
• Maintaining key REF Risk KPIs including Echelon grade expiries, Equifax alerts and bespoke monitoring requirements.
• Supporting colleagues across the Credit and Relationship teams to deliver an excellent customer and stakeholder experience.
• Acting as deputy for the Credit Operations Manager when required.

Who we’re looking for

You’ll bring a grounded understanding of the UK Real Estate Finance landscape and a passion for high‑quality risk management. You’ll enjoy balancing detail with commercial awareness while building strong working relationships across the business.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Experience in UK Real Estate Finance completion and drawdown processes.
• Strong understanding of Valuation and IMS reports.
• General awareness of property construction and credit risk principles.
• Excellent attention to detail with strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to multitask and work effectively under pressure.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Confident problem‑solver with sound judgement and a solutions‑focused mindset.

Qualifications

A‑levels or a relevant banking/financial qualification, or equivalent professional experience.

Our Values

To be successful in this role, you’ll demonstrate the behaviours that underpin our business:

• Risk Aware – ensuring safety and security for customers and colleagues
• Customer Focused – placing customer needs at the heart of decision‑making
• Ownership – taking accountability for delivering high‑quality outputs
• Performance Driven – striving for excellence as we work toward becoming the best bank in Britain
• Team Oriented – collaborating effectively to achieve more together

What’s in it for you?

At Secure Trust Bank, you’ll be part of an ambitious, supportive and values‑driven team. We offer opportunities to grow, develop and shape your career while contributing to important work that supports safe and sustainable lending decisions.

About The Company

Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, but we can’t achieve our customer focused strategy without the right people in our team. At Secure Trust Bank, we know that people are our biggest investment, which is why a career with us is not just a job. It’s the chance to be part of something bigger, to add real value to the Bank and help us constantly improve, in order to achieve our ambition of becoming the best bank in Britain. We believe in giving our staff autonomy, with initiative and exceptional performance recognised through a variety of individual and team awards and incentives. All our employees have a tangible impact on the Group’s core values, and we are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic, proactive and enjoy working in a fast paced environment. So join us as we strive to Grow, Sustain and Love the way we work.