Associate Director | S3 | Growth Capital, Structured & Specialist Finance | Multiple Locations | Internal Mobility

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 strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

Retail & Commercial Banking is a global business integrating all our retail and commercial banking activities to better serve our customers, improve efficiency and drive value creation.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Corporate & Commercial Banking is looking for an Associate Director, Structured Finance based out of Birmingham or Leeds.

You will be part of the Structured Finance Group, a division within Santander Corporate & Commercial Banking. Structured Finance is primarily debt-led, delivering bespoke funding solutions for complex and event-driven opportunities across new and existing CCB clients.

As Associate Director, you will play a key role in supporting and leading transaction execution for high growth companies, developing customer and stakeholder relationships, and contributing to Structured Finance’s commercial objectives while maintaining credit quality and risk discipline.

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:

• Leading less complex Structured Finance transactions end to end with minimal supervision, while supporting Directors on more complex transactions.
• Taking responsibility for deal administration processes, transaction workstreams and delivery timelines with good attention to detail.
• Applying advanced technical, credit, legal and debt structuring skills to support robust transaction analysis, credit submissions and customer solutions.
• Acting as first line of defence by identifying credit, operational and conduct risks early, escalating appropriately and working within approved credit processes and appetite frameworks.
• Working closely with Risk, Coverage, Sector, Portfolio and product teams to deliver high-quality customer outcomes, maximise opportunities and maintain portfolio credit integrity.
• Building and maintaining relationships with management teams, key business introducers, internal stakeholders and external advisers to support new business opportunities.
• Contributing to Structured Finance and wider CCB financial targets while ensuring new business meets return hurdle rates and supports sustainable returns.
• Supporting the coaching and development of Early in Career colleagues and Associates, role-modelling the Santander Behaviours and taking ownership of your own professional development.

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.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Professional Experience:

• Relevant experience in a Corporate Banking, Corporate Finance, Structured Finance or similar debt finance environment (Required)
• Experience supporting, structuring or leading corporate lending transactions, including credit analysis, transaction risk assessment and stakeholder coordination (Required)
• Excellent financial modelling capability and the ability to interpret financial information, due diligence outputs and lending structures (Required)
• Experience working with internal stakeholders such as Risk, Coverage, Sector, Portfolio and product teams to deliver customer and commercial outcomes (Required)
• Experience managing multiple transaction workstreams, deadlines and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment (Required)
• Experience developing or maintaining internal and external networks, including customer, adviser or introducer relationships (Preferred)
• Experience coaching, supporting or managing junior colleagues, Early in Career colleagues or equivalent team members (Preferred)

Education:

• Relevant professional experience in Corporate Banking, Corporate Finance, Structured Finance or debt finance (Required)
• Accountancy qualification, part qualification or similar professional qualification (Preferred)

Hard Skills:

• Credit risk analysis, transaction structuring, financial modelling and covenant analysis (Required)
• Preparation of credit papers, committee submissions, presentations and transaction documentation support (Required)
• Understanding of corporate banking products, debt finance, risk management principles and the financial services market (Required)
• Ability to manage deal processes, coordinate stakeholders and deliver quality outputs within target timelines (Required)
• Knowledge of Santander internal and external policies, controls and systems, or the ability to build this knowledge quickly (Preferred)

Soft Skills:

• Good personal accountability, judgement and ability to operate with minimal supervision (Preferred)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at different levels (Preferred)
• Customer focus, active listening and commitment to building long-term sustainable relationships (Preferred)
• Resilience, tenacity and the ability to work effectively under pressure and to demanding deadlines (Preferred)
• Collaborative approach, with the ability to work as part of a wider team and support the development of others (Preferred)
• Commercial curiosity, attention to detail and a proactive approach to continuous improvement and personal development (Preferred)

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:
£67,898.00 - £101,846.00 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 locations.

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.

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 Ash Chopra – Ash.Chopra@santander.co.uk

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