Senior Director Business Development

Business Unit: Premium Business
Salary range: 76000 - 95000 per annum DOE benefits
Location: Bristol HUB
Contract type: Permanent

Our Team

Our Strategic Finance team supports commercial corporate PLC and private equity backed businesses in our region and across the UK. you will play a leading role in building a strong market presence for the Bank in Bristol which has been identified as a key new location to support our growth ambitions under ownership of Nationwide Group. We believe as a modern mutual business bank we have a different way of supporting the growth of local businesses and the regional economy.

What youll be doing

• Launching the Virgin Money Business Banking brand to Bristol and Southwest ensuring maximum profile achieved with key stakeholders and target market.
• Generating new relationships focussed on Corporate Businesses in Bristol and surrounding area
• Strong Relationship Management of business portfolio
• Being accountable for risk and compliance to identify signs of stress and risk with the aim of minimising the Banks exposure to bad and doubtful debt
• Acting according to the strategy and growth plan to optimise income and build a targeted portfolio through effective origination and execution of high-quality lending opportunities.
• Generate local opportunities for specialist team e.g. leverage finance asset finance. Develop strong relationships with wider team.
• We see this initial team as being the foundations for building a larger full service team in the future. From the outset the new team will be fully supported by existing colleagues across all segments and specialisms e.g. acquisition finance associate director and operational support.
• As the team grows there will be opportunities for Senior Director to develop leadership responsibilities.

We need you to have

• A strong well recognised market profile regarded as a leading figure within the Bristol Corporate banking sector with an established reputation among clients and professional advisers.
• A track record of generating business growth identifying structuring. negotiating and delivering new business opportunities.
• Excellent relationship building and influence skills - ability to engage senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of originating structuring and executing lending opportunities of 10million including complex corporate transactions with full ownership from origination through credit approval to completion.
• Skilled 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.
• An established record of delivering fantastic relationship management. A memorable personal approach where you push for better outcomes for all.
• Highly organised with strong project management abilities able to prioritise coordinate across teams and deliver outcome under tight deadlines.
• Experienced in leading cross functional collaboration and influencing outcomes across different business areas.

Its a bonus if you have but not essential

• Relevant vocational financial services qualification e.g. Chartered Institute of Bankers Chartered Accountant etc.
• Experience of maximising media relations and opportunities including writing for journals and publications.

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.