Head of SME Trading Sectors, Commercial Banking Coverage

Lloyds Banking Group; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 144,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution is looking for a Head of SME Trading Sectors to lead their outreach to trading businesses in the UK. The role involves managing a diverse team, implementing strategic growth plans, and ensuring compliance in lending. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in commercial banking and a passion for client engagement. This position offers a hybrid working model along with competitive benefits.

Benefits

Generous pension contribution

Annual bonus

Share schemes

30 days' holiday plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in commercial banking within a UK-regulated environment.
• Track record of managing complex portfolios, especially in SME banking.
• Experience leading large, dispersed teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement a strategic plan for SME Trading business growth.
• Lead a high-performing team across the UK.
• Ensure all lending meets compliance and quality standards.

Skills

Leadership in commercial banking

Sales growth management

Team management

Credit risk knowledge

Interpersonal communication

Job description

End Date

Thursday 28 August 2025

Salary Range

£144,424 - £169,910

We support flexible working – click here for more information on flexible working options

Flexible Working Options

Hybrid Working, Job Share

Job Description Summary

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Head of SME Trading Sectors, Commercial Banking Coverage

LOCATION: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds or Manchester

HOURS: Full time

WORKING PATTERN: Hybrid, 40% (or two days) in one of our office hubs mentioned above

About this opportunity

We’re looking for an exceptional leader to shape the future of our face-to-face SME Trading business. This is a unique chance to drive sustainable growth and deliver outstanding client outcomes for trading businesses with turnovers between £3m and £25m — a critical and fast-growing part of our Commercial Banking franchise.

In this high-profile role, you’ll lead a team of around 280 Commercial Regional Directors, Area Directors, and Relationship Managers/Directors, responsible for a portfolio of approximately 25,000 trading business customers. Collectively, this portfolio generates c.£750m in income, holds £5bn in lending, and £27bn in deposits, representing a key growth engine within our organization.

Your leadership will extend beyond client delivery. You’ll lead the Growth & Structured Finance team to support complex deal structuring, enabling key elements of our Trading Business strategy — ensuring we meet ambitious goals while championing the SME client proposition.

This role offers a rare opportunity to make a measurable impact across the UK economy, lead a high-performing national team, and set the standard for excellence in SME client engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Define and implement a five-year strategic plan to grow the face-to-face SME Trading business franchise, aligned with the bank’s broader commercial objectives.
• Champion the SME client proposition, ensuring it is brought to life through a performance-driven culture and a relentless focus on client needs.
• Drive origination and acquisition of high-value clients by leveraging the full suite of the bank’s capabilities, including lending, deposits, payments, trade, specialist solutions, and Group Partner products.
• Lead and support Commercial Banking Coverage Sector Heads across key sectors such as Manufacturing, Legal & Professional, Technology, Wholesale & Retail.

Sales & Relationship Management

• Lead, coach, and inspire a high-performing team dispersed across the UK.
• Embed a sales culture that is client-centric, insight-led, and results-focused.
• Represent the bank at industry events and with key stakeholders as a visible market ambassador.
• Collaborate with Commercial Banking Coverage leaders to ensure optimal customer treatment strategies.

Risk, Compliance & Credit Oversight

• Utilize advanced credit skills to manage risk effectively.
• Ensure all lending and liabilities meet quality and policy standards.
• Maintain oversight of compliance with policies and regulations.

People & Culture

• Model inclusive leadership and foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
• Invest in colleague development through coaching and mentoring.
• Create capacity and succession plans for long-term growth.
• Lead on skills development and diversity initiatives in line with the bank’s goals.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven leadership in commercial or SME banking within a UK-regulated environment.
• Track record of sales growth and managing complex portfolios.
• Experience leading large, dispersed teams.
• Deep knowledge of credit risk, regulation, and balance sheet management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with senior influence capability.
• Strategic problem-solving skills and a growth mindset.

Performance Measures

• Growth in income and client acquisition.
• Retention and share of wallet.
• Client satisfaction and NPS improvements.
• Asset quality and risk-adjusted returns.
• Team engagement and development metrics.

About working for us

Our ambition is to be the leading UK organization for diversity, equity, and inclusion, supporting our customers, colleagues, and communities. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive, learn, and develop.

We have set goals on diversity in senior roles, created health initiatives, and support flexible working arrangements, including reasonable adjustments for disabilities. We also guarantee interviews for eligible applicants with disabilities through the Disability Confident Scheme.

Our benefits include a generous pension contribution, annual bonus, share schemes, lifestyle benefits, and 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.

Join us to do meaningful work that makes a difference to millions of people. Join our journey!

At Lloyds Banking Group, our purpose is to help Britain prosper. We focus on making a difference for customers, businesses, and communities, offering opportunities to learn, grow, and develop.

We prioritize data safety and confidentiality, only requesting sensitive information during formal recruitment stages, and ensure a values-led, inclusive culture where all colleagues can thrive.