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- Tasks: Lead business development for Virgin Money in Bristol, building strong relationships and driving growth.
- Company: Join Virgin Money, a modern mutual bank focused on community and customer impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a competitive pension plan.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the banking sector while enjoying a collaborative and fun work environment.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in corporate banking and excellent relationship management skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a growing team with opportunities for leadership and career progression.
The predicted salary is between 76000 - 95000 £ per year.
Business Unit: Premium Business
Salary range: £76,000 - £95,000 per annum DOE + benefits
Location: Bristol HUB
Contract type: Permanent
Our Team
Our Strategic Finance team supports commercial, corporate, PLC and private equity backed businesses in our region and across the UK. You will play a leading role in building a strong market presence for the Bank in Bristol which has been identified as a key new location to support our growth ambitions under ownership of Nationwide Group. We believe as a modern mutual business bank we have a different way of supporting the growth of local businesses and the regional economy.
What you’ll be doing
- Launching the Virgin Money Business Banking brand to Bristol and Southwest ensuring maximum profile achieved with key stakeholders and target market.
- Generating new relationships, focussed on Corporate Businesses in Bristol and surrounding area.
- Strong Relationship Management of business portfolio.
- Being accountable for risk and compliance to identify signs of stress and risk with the aim of minimising the Bank’s exposure to bad and doubtful debt.
- Acting according to the strategy and growth plan to optimise income and build a targeted portfolio through effective origination and execution of high-quality lending opportunities.
- Generate local opportunities for specialist team e.g. leverage finance, asset finance.
- Develop strong relationships with wider team.
We see this initial team as being the foundations for building a larger full service team in the future. From the outset the new team will be fully supported by existing colleagues across all segments and specialisms e.g. acquisition finance, associate director and operational support. As the team grows there will be opportunities for Senior Director to develop leadership responsibilities.
We need you to have
- A strong well recognised market profile, regarded as a leading figure within the Bristol Corporate banking sector, with an established reputation among clients and professional advisers.
- A track record of generating business growth, identifying, structuring, negotiating and delivering new business opportunities.
- Excellent relationship building and influence skills - ability to engage senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience of originating, structuring and executing lending opportunities of £10 million+ including complex corporate transactions with full ownership from origination through credit approval to completion.
- Skilled in managing all aspects of a deal process from inception to completion – including preparation of detailed and well researched credit papers, leading negotiations with Management Teams, Advisors and Funding Partners, the instruction and review of detailed Due Diligence reports, overseeing of complex legal processes and the management of all aspects of a deal completion process.
- An established record of delivering fantastic relationship management.
- A memorable personal approach where you push for better outcomes for all.
- Highly organised with strong project management abilities, able to prioritise, coordinate across teams and deliver outcome under tight deadlines.
- Experienced in leading cross functional collaboration and influencing outcomes across different business areas.
It’s a bonus if you have but not essential
- Relevant vocational financial services qualification – e.g. Chartered Institute of Bankers, Chartered Accountant etc.
- Experience of maximising media relations and opportunities, including writing for journals and publications.
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.
Say hello to Virgin Money
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. Embrace the weekdays, enjoy fantastic perks, and make a meaningful positive difference.
Time to discover what it means to be part of the first mutual full-service banking provider.
Be yourself at Virgin Money
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 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.
Senior Director Business Development in Bristol employer: Virgin Money
Contact Detail:
Virgin Money Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director Business Development in Bristol
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and start networking! Attend industry events, join local business groups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. The more relationships you build, the better your chances of landing that Senior Director role.
✨Show Off Your Expertise
Don’t just wait for opportunities to come to you; create them! Share your insights on social media or write articles for industry publications. This will help establish you as a thought leader in the Bristol corporate banking scene.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Reach out to current employees at Virgin Money or similar companies for informational interviews. This is a great way to learn about the company culture and get insider tips on what they’re looking for in candidates.
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that fits, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Virgin Money team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director Business Development in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in corporate banking and business development. We want to see how your skills align with our goals at Virgin Money, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Your Relationships: Since relationship management is key for this role, share specific examples of how you've built and maintained strong connections in the industry. We love to see how you’ve influenced stakeholders and driven business growth through your network.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experience with complex transactions and lending opportunities. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at Virgin Money.
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Money
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the Bristol corporate banking scene. Understand the key players, recent trends, and how Virgin Money fits into the picture. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your strong market profile and show that you're not just another candidate.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built and maintained relationships with senior stakeholders in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific instances where your influence led to successful outcomes. This will highlight your excellent relationship management skills, which are crucial for this position.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Expertise
Be prepared to talk about complex lending opportunities you've originated and executed, especially those over £10 million. Discuss the entire process from origination to completion, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will showcase your project management abilities and experience in handling high-stakes deals.
✨Align with Virgin Money's Values
Familiarise yourself with Virgin Money's mission of 'Banking but fairer'. Think about how your personal approach aligns with their values and be ready to share how you can contribute to a culture of inclusivity and collaboration. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company ethos.
