SME Relationship Director - Kent

Lloyds Banking Group; Maidstone; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension contribution up to 15

Annual bonus

Share schemes

Flexible lifestyle benefits

30 days' holiday plus bank holidays

Wellbeing initiatives and parental le

Job summary

Lloyds Banking Group in Kent seeks an experienced SME Relationship Director to own a high-profile portfolio covering Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone or Ashford. You will be the face of the bank to existing and new clients, building trust and delivering tailored financial solutions.

The role serves clients with turnovers between £10m and £50m, focusing on retention, growth, and ESG/Net Zero initiatives across the region.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in corporate/commercial banking within Kent.
• Strong relationship management and client-facing experience.
• Experience in evaluating propositions with credit/risk considerations.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Proactive, self-starting approach with ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Support high profile client relationships and act as a trusted advisor.
• Identify and deliver Commercial Banking solutions including day-to-day banking, payments, deposits, cards and lending.
• Build a network of internal and external partners to open doors.
• Lead efforts to win new-to-bank clients through strategic outreach and relationship building.
• Establish relationships with Group Partner companies and bring the bank to the client.
• Support clients with ESG strategies and Net Zero journeys.

Skills

Relationship management

Credit and risk management

Communication skills

Negotiation

Networking

Self-starting

Job description

JOB TITLE: SME Relationship Director - Kent

LOCATION(s): Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone or Ashford

HOURS: Full-time

WORKING PATTERN: Our work style is hybrid, which involves spending at least one day per week, or 20% of our time, at your local office.

About the role

We're looking for a passionate and driven Relationship Director to take ownership of a high-profile SME portfolio in Kent.

It is a strategically important portfolio with strong growth potential. Your role will be pivotal in enhancing client confidence, retaining existing business, and driving new opportunities.

You'll work with businesses turning over between £10m-£50m, helping them unlock their potential through tailored financial solutions. You'll be the face of Lloyds Bank to existing and new clients, building trust, delivering value, and driving growth in a region where relationship management is key.

What will you be doing?

• Supporting high profile client relationships, putting the client at the heart of what you do, adding customer value at every interaction and becoming a "trusted advisor"
• Proactively identifying and delivering Commercial Banking solutions to meet the business needs of these clients - including day-to-day banking, payments, deposits, cards and lending
• Building a strong network of internal and external partners to open doors and create opportunities
• Leading the charge to win new-to-bank clients through strategic outreach and relationship building
• Establishing relationships with Group Partner companies and through them bringing the whole Bank to the client, delivering products to meet their needs
• Handling the 'Risk' side of your client portfolio including supporting clients with developing ESG strategies and supporting their journey to Net Zero.

Why Lloyds Banking Group?

We're on an exciting journey to transform our Group and the way we're shaping finance for good. We're focusing on the future, investing in our technologies, workplaces, and colleagues to make our Group a great place for everyone. Including you.

What we need from you.

• To be seen as the "go to" banker in their geographic area of responsibility. Maintaining a high profile with external influencers and the local business community to achieve the Bank's stated aim of being the best bank for clients.
• A track record of winning new business in a competitive environment within corporate or commercial banking, alongside a broad established network within the local Kent commercial market.
• Strong credit and risk management skills, with experience in evaluating propositions and making confident recommendations.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, including understanding legal documentation and commercial terms.
• A proactive, self-starting approach with the ability to work independently and as part of a high-performing team.

This is a place for you

Our ambition is to be the leading UK business for diversity, equity and inclusion supporting our customers, colleagues and communities and we're committed to creating an environment in which everyone can thrive, learn and develop.

We were one of the first major organisations to set goals on diversity in senior roles, create a menopause health package, and a dedicated Working with Cancer Initiative.

We offer reasonable workplace adjustments for colleagues with disabilities, including flexibility in office attendance, location and working patterns. As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee interviews for a fair and proportionate number of applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role with a disability, long-term health or neurodivergent condition through the Disability Confident Scheme.

We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to reduce or remove barriers. Just let us know what you need.

We also offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which includes:

• A generous pension contribution of up to 15%
• An annual performance related bonus
• Share schemes including free shares
• Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
• 30 days' holiday, with bank holidays on top
• A range of wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies