Senior Director - Strategic Finance

We are expanding our Strategic Finance team in the North & East of Scotland as part of an ambitious growth plan to significantly increase our presence in the mid-market and sponsor-backed segment. This is a unique opportunity to join a high-performing team with strong momentum and a clear mandate to grow.

As a Senior Director, you will lead the management of an existing portfolio of high value customers and be responsible for the origination, structuring and execution of complex senior debt transactions across the Region. You will take primary responsibility for deal leadership, from initial origination through to execution, and ongoing portfolio management of a high-quality portfolio of mid-market, corporate and sponsor-backed clients.

You will develop deep relationships with private equity sponsors, corporate clients and professional advisers, positioning yourself as a trusted partner in the regional deal ecosystem and enhancing the visibility of Strategic Finance in the region. You will originate and convert high-quality lending opportunities, driving income growth, attractive risk-adjusted returns, and portfolio quality in line with our strategic objectives.

We are looking for high-performing, entrepreneurial individuals who want to shape a growing franchise. This is a genuinely high-impact role, offering significant visibility across the business and the opportunity to influence our regional strategy. You will be supported to originate and deliver transactions, develop your internal profile, and progress your career within a growing and ambitious platform.

At Nationwide we offer hybrid working wherever possible. More rewarding relationships are supported through our hybrid approach, bringing colleagues together across our UK wide estate, whilst also supporting generous access to home working. We value our time in the office to solve problems, to learn, and to feel connected.

For this role, you will be part of our growing Business Banking team, meeting with and supporting customers across your assigned region. You'll be covering the North & East Scotland region so will need to be based locally as you will be expected to travel regularly across this region. Additionally, there will be a need to regularly connect with colleagues for collaboration events in one of our locations. These are currently expected to take place monthly in Aberdeen, Inverness or Edinburgh; however the location may vary. If your application is successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this works. You can also find out more about our approach to hybrid working here.

Virgin Money is now part of Nationwide

Nationwide acquired Virgin Money in October 2024. Virgin Money continues to serve customers on the high street, and there will be a phased and considered integration over the coming years.

You’ll be employed by Nationwide from day one, delivering real impact and benefitting from a highly competitive range of benefits. We’re a workplace where you’re rewarded, recognised and celebrated.

If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.

What you’ll be doing

You will play a key role in delivering the North & East Scotland’s mid-market and corporate strategy by originating high-value, new-to-bank opportunities, with a particular focus on expanding our presence in the Scottish market. Alongside this, you will develop and execute targeted sector and intermediary coverage strategies across the region.

You will build and lead a portfolio of strategic client and introducer relationships, acting as a trusted senior partner to drive long-term value. The role will also see you leading the structuring and execution of complex lending transactions, maintaining strong credit quality and ensuring alignment with risk appetite.

Externally, you will represent the bank in the market, enhancing brand visibility and generating deal flow through networks, events and strategic partnerships. Internally, you will provide leadership within the Strategic Finance team, mentoring colleagues and contributing to a high-performance, collaborative culture.

About you

As a minimum requirement, you will have:

• Significant experience as a senior business developer and relationship leader within mid-market or corporate banking, with strong market knowledge
• Proven track record of originating, structuring and executing complex lending transactions
• Strong technical capability in financial analysis and modelling
• Deep expertise in deal execution, credit structuring and stakeholder management
• Strong commercial judgement with a focus on income generation and capital efficiency

Our customer first behaviours put customers and members at the heart of how we work together. They are the set of behaviours that every colleague needs to display, in every role:

• Feel what customers feel - We step into our customers’ shoes, using their feedback and insights to empathise with them and to understand their needs, so that every decision we make starts and finishes with our customers in mind

• Say it straight - We are brave in speaking out and saying what we think – we’re honest and direct with good intent, openly sharing diverse perspectives to reach the best conclusions and using language everyone can understand

• Push for better - We don’t settle for mediocrity, we challenge the status quo, taking responsibility for continuous improvement and personal development

• Get it done - We prioritise what will have the greatest impact, we are decisive, and we take accountability for delivering brilliant customer outcomes

You can strengthen your application by showing how our customer first behaviours resonate with you, and where you may have already demonstrated these.

The extras you’ll get

There are all sorts of employee benefits available at Nationwide, including:

• 30 days holiday, pro rata

• 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 salary sacrifice scheme

• Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of your death

• Wellhub – access to a range of free and paid options for health and wellness

• Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year

Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society

We forge our own path at Nationwide.

As a mutual, we’re owned by our members - those customers who bank, save or have a mortgage with us. We challenge the financial sector status quo. We don’t see customers as the engine of our own profit. We share our profits with them and put their needs first. Always there when they need us. Supporting them and their lives.

If you’re inspired by fairer finances, passionate about making a meaningful impact, and truly care about our customers, you’re one of us.

At Nationwide, you are challenged to grow and rewarded for doing so. Valued. Recognised. Inspired to be your best. As a community, we want our working lives to count. As a team, we celebrate what we achieve. As a standard-setter, we work for the good of customers, communities, and broader society.

We are purpose-driven. Uncompromisingly customer. Unstoppably Nationwide.

What to do next

If this role is for you, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. You’ll need to attach your up-to-date CV and answer a few quick questions for us.

We respond to everyone, so we will be in contact shortly after the closing date to let you know the outcome of your application.

Keeping your data and personal information confidential is important to us. To find out more about how we use and process your data, please read our Privacy policy.

If you want to find out more about using AI in our recruitment process, please read more here.

Disability Confident

We’re not just guided by data, we’re driven by the real experiences of our people. We’re a Disability Confident Level 3 Leader, the highest level.

That’s why we’re constantly evolving our policies and practices to make sure everyone feels genuinely supported, valued, and empowered to champion inclusion. Whatever your needs, we’re here to support you. If you need any additional support throughout your application journey, email our team at Recruitment Support.

Apply safely with Nationwide

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Please note that should you be successful in securing this role, the job title on our internal systems will be Senior Director.