Senior Director, Independent Sponsors

Shawbrook provides finance to a wide range of customer segments that value the premium experience, flexibility and certainly we deliver. We are a purpose-led organisation, with a focus on delivering long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.

We have a diversified offering, with our innovative lending propositions tailored to meet specific customer needs in carefully selected markets across SME, Real Estate and Personal. Our products range from complex structured credit facilities for growth-focused businesses to mortgages for professional landlords and property investors, as well as simple loans for consumers delivered digitally. We fuel our lending through customer deposits, which we attract by delivering a premium experience, choice and consistently great value to smart savers.

The business model we have created is unique and difficult to replicate, with our ‘best of both’ approach combining deep human expertise with advanced digital, tech and data capabilities. This combination not only allows us to deliver excellent customer experiences, but to do so efficiently and at scale. We are proud of our innovative and agile culture, which drives consistently high employee engagement scores and makes Shawbrook an attractive destination for the best talent. If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves, contribute new ideas and believe anything is possible, you’re our kind of person.

Work with us because you

Want to be part of a bank built for the dynamics of the modern world

Relish a challenge and enjoy a fast-paced, innovative and hardworking culture

Enjoy finding new and better ways to solve complexity and make things happen

Want to belong to a diverse culture that stands shoulder to shoulder with minority and underrepresented groups

Care about society and the environment and want to be part of a business that cares too

Want to continue to grow professionally and be the best version of yourself

ThinCats is the Group's specialist brand for mid sized SMEs, providing consistent, timely and flexible funding solutions of £2m to £30m through pioneering data, personal relationships and a pragmatic lending process. This role sits within Corporate Leverage and is originated under the ThinCats brand.

Independent Sponsors (“IS”) are experienced dealmakers who identify, structure and lead buyouts and growth acquisitions without a committed fund behind them, raising equity deal by deal from co-investment partners as each transaction requires. Sponsors typically secure exclusivity first and syndicate equity to close, so judging equity certainty and the sponsor's ability to deliver it is central to the underwrite.

As Senior Director, you will be a senior originator and a recognised part of ThinCats' face to market in the independent sponsor community, driving the identification, structuring and execution of IS transactions, and leading deal teams including more junior colleagues.

You will own the client and sponsor relationship on your transactions, working within the appetite, pricing framework and standards set by the Head of Independent Sponsors, and contributing to the team's origination, profitability and return on equity targets.

Key Responsibilities

Originate With Authority

Maintain an active network of senior level relationships with independent sponsors, their co-investment partners, intermediaries and advisers active in the UK lower mid-market.

Act as a key “go-to” point of contact for inbound enquiries and be recognised as part of ThinCats' face to market in the independent sponsor community, generating new opportunities through targeted outbound activity.

Qualify opportunities against IS criteria and the team's risk appetite, focusing on majority or control positions, or significant minority stakes with clearly controlling governance rights, and recognising when a transaction is better served elsewhere in the Group.

Structure and Deliver

Structure, negotiate and execute the larger and more complex IS debt facilities, underwriting the target business, the sponsor's track record and their ability to deliver equity certainty to completion.

Analyse target businesses and financial models in detail to build a thorough view of risk, and structure facilities that meet the sponsor's needs while protecting the Bank appropriately.

Write or supervise high quality sighting and credit papers, ensuring all material risks are identified, minimised and mitigated, and presented with a clear recommendation.

Lead the client and sponsor relationship through diligence, credit approval and legal completion, working with the Transaction Management team who drive execution, and keeping the deal moving through clear direction and fast decisions.

Lead and Develop

Lead deal teams, including more junior colleagues, on your own transactions and in support of colleagues' deals more broadly.

Maintain senior level relationships with Portfolio, Risk, Operations, Credit and Finance relevant to any given transaction.

Serve as a role model within the team, supporting the development of less experienced team members.

Act With Judgement on Risk, Governance and Conduct

Report all issues of regulatory concern to the Operations Director / Bank Legal & Compliance Director promptly and effectively.

Maintain strong governance and conduct discipline throughout: clear rationale, strong documentation, no surprises.

Skills & Experience

• Exceptional analytical skills, with the ability to manage complex issues; strong grounding in financial models and financial statements.
• In-depth knowledge of leveraged and acquisition finance structures, including negotiation of legal documentation.
• Judgement on equity certainty and syndication risk in deal-by-deal funded transactions.
• Strong track record of commercial acumen, strategic thinking, executive level reporting and effective business planning.
• Thorough comprehension of credit risk management, credit administration, loan production and servicing.

Education/Professional Qualifications

Shawbrook is committed to providing opportunities to all candidates, and understand that not all candidates may possess a qualification or education aligned to the role. We will assess each candidate on their individual experience and skills, and not solely on level of education.

Key attributes

• An originator first: established in the independent sponsor market and hungry to build ThinCats' franchise there.
• Comfortable underwriting without a fund behind the sponsor: assesses the sponsor's track record, co-investor base and ability to close as rigorously as the underlying business.
• Disciplined about scope: qualifies hard against IS criteria and knows when a transaction is better served elsewhere.
• Preferably 10 years' experience in financial services, including 5 years' experience leading senior corporate leverage or independent sponsor cashflow debt transactions.
• Your Wellbeing - We take your health and well-being very seriously by providing a range of benefits to give you and your family peace of mind. These include:
• Market leading family friendly policies such as access to our Maternity, Adoption and Paternity policies from Day 1 of your employment
• Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness & meditation digital health app
• Free access to Peppy digital health app that offers personalised support through fertility treatment becoming a parent or menopause
• EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) - Offering you support on a wide range of subjects including financial concerns, mental wellbeing and more general queries around family, work, housing, and health
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on gym membership
• Contributory pension scheme & death in service
• Your Lifestyle - It’s important you strike the right balance between your work and personal life. We provide benefits to support you when at work and when you’re enjoying your leisure time.
• Minimum of 27 days holiday per year
• Option to buy or sell holiday days through our flexi-holiday scheme
• Discounts on gym membership nationwide
• Access to discounts on a range of high street and online brands
• Community support and charitable giving
• Your Contribution - We’re focused on rewarding those that go the extra mile in helping us achieve our goals.
• Participation in our annual discretionary bonus scheme designed to reward your contribution to our success
• Proudly Shawbrook recognition scheme focused on recognising our role models and thanking our colleagues for a job well done