Director, Debt Finance - Real Estate & Trading Businesses

At OakNorth, we’re on a mission to empower the UK’s most ambitious businesses. Since 2015, we’ve lent over $21 billion across the UK and US, helped create more than 58,000 new homes and 36,000 new jobs, and supported hundreds of thousands of personal savers — all while fuelling the UK economy.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, fast-growing bank known for challenging the status quo. We’re not looking for just another cog in the wheel — we want bold thinkers and proactive self-starters who are eager to shape their own careers while supporting the UK’s most driven business leaders.

We’re looking for a Director to join our Debt Finance team in London. This is a high-impact, front-office role focused on originating, structuring, and executing transactions across:

• Trading businesses (cashflow lending)
• Real estate and operational real estate

You’ll take full ownership of transactions from first conversation through to credit approval and completion, working directly with entrepreneurs, sponsors, and intermediaries.

Originate, structure, execute transactions that meet the lending requirements of OakNorth

Manage and further develop existing customer relationships, along with identifying new relationships and opportunities in the market

Work as part of a team on the execution of corporate finance / real estate / property / trading business transactions

Build the profile of Bank in the external market with, for example SMEs, KBIs, Advisors and Private Equity firms

Assess appropriate organic and inorganic growth opportunities for OakNorth Bank in the market

Spread financial accounts and financial modelling

Analyse financial accounts and manage information and prepare credit memorandums

Analyse financial models including forecasted cash flows and sensitivities to assess debt capacity and repayment

Ensure transaction are documented in accordance with credit approved terms and credit sanctions

Meet team and individual targets including profit, credit quality, new customers, retention and customer satisfaction

Have an overview of ongoing relationship management and client experience

Drive innovation in the product proposition to improve customer experience levels whilst maintaining asset quality

Ensure high level of customer experience at all times

Meet team and individual targets set by OakNorth ExCo, CEO and the Board

Structure transactions appropriately, and prove full credit reports to sanctioning authority

Maintain close relationships with customers and reporting to Credit in line with policy, in a timely manner

Act in accordance with OakNorth Bank’s values at all times

In depth understanding of SME lending, Real Estate and Trading Businesses

Good understanding of Banking and Financial Services products and a strong grasp of IFRS 9

Excellent communication and customer facing skills

Good understanding of business processes, strategy and credit policies

Strong credit, financial analysis and modeling skills, including the ability to write good quality, structured credit papers

Experience in the analysis of senior, stretched senior and mezzanine cashflow unsecured transactions

Legal documentation skills

Experience in presenting credit case internally to a credit committee

Strong problem solving ability

Degree in Finance / Commerce or equivalent

Equity. We want people to have a stake in the business so that all our interests are aligned.

25 days holiday

Personalized benefits – opt-in to what matters to you

Subsidised Private Medical Insurance with Bupa

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Wellbeing and social events

In-house Barista Bar in London office

Support causes that matter to you – Volunteering time off

Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to work, nursery, gym, electric car scheme)