Director Business Development

Business Unit: Business Banking
Salary range: 60000 - 75000 per annumDOE benefits
Location: Bristol
Contract type: Permanent

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Strategic Finance team in Bristol supporting commercial corporate and private equity backed businesses across the region and the UK. Youll play a key role in establishing a strong market presence in Bristol newly identified growth location under the ownership of Nationwide Group helping to support local businesses and the wider regional economy as part of a moder mutual business bank.

Working alongside the Senior Director youll be responsible for originating executing and managing new Commercial and Corporate banking relationships collaborating with specialist teams to deliver sustainable income and strong returns for the bank. From the outset youll be supported be established sector and product experts with a clear focus on delivering a consistently high quality and simply brilliant customer experience. .

What youll be doing

• Launce and establish the Virgin Money Business Banking brand across Bristol and the south west building strong visibility with key stakeholders and target markets.
• Originate and develop new relationships with large commercial and mid corporate businesses across Bristol and surrounding area.
• Manage and grow a high quality business portfolio maintaining strong client relationships while delivering sustainable income.
• Operate at all times within agreed risk appetite taking accountability for risk and compliance and identifying early signs of stress to minimise credit losses.
• Deliver against the Banks strategy and growth plans by originating structuring and executing high quality lending opportunities.
• Work closely with specialist teams including leverage finance and asset finance to generate local opportunities and deliver joined up client solutions.
• Analyse and interpret financial information to inform credit decision including accounts cash flow forecasts ratios credit modelling and sensitivity analysis.
• Build and maintain strong external professional networks to generate quality referrals and represent the Virgin money brand and values

We need you to have

• Experience of working within a Business Banking team
• Strong relationships with professional advisors across Bristol
• Experience of originating and winning Commercial lending opportunities (5m)
• Experience 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.
• Examples of delivering fantastic relationship management. A memorable personal approach where you push for better outcomes for all.
• Experience of maximising media relations and opportunities including writing for journals and publications
• Detailed and up to date knowledge of UK financial markets with the focus on the Commercial Banking segment
• Expert knowledge of banking products and services.
• Up to date knowledge of financial analysis and modelling tools and techniques

We would like you to have

• Relevant vocational financial services qualification e.g. Chartered Institute of Bankers Chartered Accountant etc.;
• In depth understanding of risk and compliance requirements in line with the role
• Business degree or significant financial services experience within a Business Lending Environment

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 were 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 theNationwide grouptogether were the UKs 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 youll 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.Were committed to creating an inclusive culture where colleagues feel safe and inspired to contribute speak up and be heard.

As a Disability Confident Leader were committed to removing any obstacles to inclusion. If you need any reasonable adjustments or support making your application contact our Talent Acquisition team

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

Were 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 If youre 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 well need you to confirm you have the right to work in the UK.

If youre 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 well ask for six years of regulatory references and once in the role youll be subject to periodic employment checks.