At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead corporate banking strategy and drive new lending opportunities.
- Company: Join Virgin Money, a forward-thinking bank with a mission to make banking fairer.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a competitive pension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while building your career.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in financial services and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values collaboration and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 76000 - 95000 ÂŁ per year.
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Business Unit: Business Banking, Strategic Finance
Salary range: ÂŁ76,000 - ÂŁ95,000 per annum DOE + benefits
Location: UK Hybrid - Leeds/ Newcastle
Contract type: Permanent
Virgin Money has grown, and we have big plans for the future – you would be joining us at an exciting point on our journey. It is a fast‑paced place to be, and we are looking for great people to take us to the next level. Exciting opportunities exist within our Strategic Finance team in Yorkshire and the North‑East.
As a Senior Director in Corporate Banking, you’ll play a pivotal role in maintaining a strong market presence and proactively driving and implementing the Bank’s strategy in providing senior debt for corporate transactions. You will be responsible for sourcing and delivering new lending opportunities and customers for the Bank, generating additional income and strong returns, and maintaining and deepening relationships with introducers across the market. We are looking for dynamic people, who are ready to make a real difference. The role is far‑reaching and will allow the role holder to obtain a considerable profile both externally and internally within the business. We’ll encourage and reward you, help you to win transactions, whilst building a successful career.
What you’ll be doing:
- Driving the development and implementation of the corporate banking strategy, including the achievement of business development and growth in line with the business bank’s strategic agenda.
- Building and strengthening market presence, positioning the Bank as a trusted provider of senior debt for corporate transactions and securing high‑quality lending opportunities.
- Structuring and presenting complex corporate lending proposals, leveraging deep financial analysis and management assessment to support robust credit decisions.
- Championing risk management and compliance, maintaining strict adherence to the Bank’s Risk Appetite to minimise exposure to bad and doubtful debt.
- Fostering collaboration and capability within the Strategic Finance team, including working in close partnership with Acquisition Finance colleagues, sharing expertise across the wider team, and providing coaching to drive collective performance.
- Staying ahead of market trends, maintaining expert knowledge of economic conditions and the corporate finance landscape to inform strategic decisions.
- Delivering strong organisational and project leadership, partnering with the Strategic Finance Leadership Team to maximise income and optimise ROE.
- Acting as an ambassador for Virgin Money, demonstrating enterprise‑wide behaviours and reinforcing brand values in every market interaction.
We need you to have:
- Proven experience within financial services, with up‑to‑date knowledge of UK markets and relevant regulatory frameworks.
- Demonstrable corporate finance experience, with a strong track record of structuring and executing complex lending transactions.
- Hands‑on experience working with club banks and similar institutions, including participation in multi‑bank lending arrangements.
- Proven knowledge of regional lending markets with evidence of converting market insight into high‑quality, new‑to‑bank lending opportunities through strong credit judgement.
- Established external network, with a track record of leveraging relationships to originate, structure, and close details.
- Strong communication and influencing experience, with evidence of building credibility quickly and managing complex or challenging stakeholder conversations.
- End‑to‑end deal management experience, including preparation of detailed credit papers, stakeholder negotiations, oversight of due diligence, legal documentation (LMA), and transaction completion.
- Demonstrable experience working collaboratively within teams, contributing through knowledge sharing, coaching, and collective delivery.
- Proven ability to perform under pressure, consistently meeting tight deadlines with resilience and initiative.
- Experience operating effectively in complex, fast‑changing environments, applying flexible and pragmatic problem‑solving approaches.
- Advanced financial analysis and modelling experience, using current tools and techniques to support credit and deal decision‑making.
It’s a bonus if you have but not essential:
- Business Degree and relevant vocational financial services qualification – e.g. Chartered Institute of Bankers, Chartered Accountant etc.
- In‑depth understanding of risk and compliance requirements in line with the role.
Red Hot Rewards:
- 25 days holiday per year, increasing over time to 30. Plus an option to buy more, giving you even more choice.
- Private medical insurance.
- A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement.
- Access to an annual performance‑related bonus.
- Training and development to help you progress your career.
- A great selection of additional benefits through our flexible benefits scheme.
- Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
- Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year.
If we’re lucky to receive a lot of interest, we may close the advert early. Please ensure to submit your applications as soon as possible.
Virgin Money is so much more than just a bank. As part of the Nationwide group, together we’re the UK’s first full‑service mutual bank serving millions of retail and business customers and all driven by our purpose – Banking but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society. With us, you’ll be part of an organisation uniquely positioned to make a difference to the lives of customers, communities and broader society and embark on a collaborative, customer‑obsessed, and fun‑filled career journey.
At Virgin Money, we celebrate everyone. We have fun, think big and relentlessly include each other, all in pursuit of our purpose: Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society. We’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where colleagues feel safe and inspired to contribute, speak up and be heard. As a Disability Confident Leader, we’re committed to removing any obstacles to inclusion. If you need any reasonable adjustments or support making your application, contact our Talent Acquisition team at careers@virginmoney.com.
Please note: If we receive a high volume of eligible applications, we may need to prioritise candidates whose skills and experience most closely align with the role, while still ensuring fair and equitable consideration for all applicants.
Now the legal bit: We’re in the process of bringing Virgin Money and Nationwide together which, subject to Court approval, will happen on 2 April 2026. You can find out more about what this means at https://uk.virginmoney.com/nationwide-transfer. If you’re successful in securing a role with us, your employment will move automatically to Nationwide when this transfer goes ahead. Although some of our roles allow you to be based anywhere in the UK, we’ll need you to confirm you have the right to work in the UK. If you’re successful in securing a role with us, there are some checks you need to complete before starting. These include credit and criminal record checks and three years’ worth of satisfactory references. If the role is part of the Senior Manager Regime and Certification Regime, it requires enhanced pre‑employment checks – we’ll ask for six years of regulatory references, and once in the role, you’ll be subject to periodic employment checks.
Advertised: 21 Jan 2026 GMT Standard Time
Applications close: 11 Feb 2026 GMT Standard Time
Senior Director in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Virgin Money UK
Contact Detail:
Virgin Money UK Recruiting Team
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We think this is how you could land Senior Director in Newcastle upon Tyne
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Director role. Highlight your experience in corporate banking and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can drive our strategy forward!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for corporate finance and how your skills can help Virgin Money grow. Remember, this is your chance to shine!
Showcase Your Network: Don’t forget to mention your established external network! We’re looking for someone who can leverage relationships to create new lending opportunities. Let us know how you’ve done this in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Money UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the UK financial services landscape, especially corporate banking. Understand the latest trends and regulatory frameworks that could impact Virgin Money's strategy. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but are also proactive about staying informed.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully structured and executed complex lending transactions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly articulate your contributions and the outcomes. This will help you demonstrate your hands-on experience effectively.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their experiences at Virgin Money and share your thoughts on how you can contribute to the team. This will not only make you memorable but also show that you value collaboration and teamwork.
✨Be Ready for Challenges
Expect questions that assess your ability to perform under pressure and manage complex stakeholder conversations. Prepare examples that highlight your resilience and problem-solving skills in fast-paced environments. This will reassure the interviewers that you can handle the demands of the Senior Director role.