SME Relationship Director - Kent

Lloyds Bank plc; Royal Tunbridge Wells; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension contribution (up to 5

Annual performance bonus

Share schemes including free shares

30 days holidays + bank holidays

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Lloyds Banking Group in Kent seeks a skilled SME Relationship Director to own a high-profile SME portfolio, driving growth, retaining business, and delivering tailored financial solutions. You will be the face of the bank to clients in Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone or Ashford, building trust and unlocking potential.

The role requires a track record in corporate/commercial banking, strong credit/risk management, and excellent relationship-building abilities.

Qualifications

• Track record of winning new business in corporate/commercial banking within the Kent market.
• Strong credit and risk management skills with proposition evaluation.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Independent, proactive and able to thrive in a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Support high-profile SME client relationships and act as a trusted advisor.
• Deliver Commercial Banking solutions—payments, deposits, cards, lending and day-to-day banking.
• Build internal and external networks to create opportunities.
• Lead efforts to win new-to-bank clients through strategic outreach.
• Collaborate with partner companies to bring bank-wide products to clients.
• Assist clients in ESG strategies and journey to Net Zero.

Skills

Relationship management

New business development

Credit & risk assessment

Negotiation

Job description

Job Description

End Date Wednesday 23 September 2026 Salary Range £0 - £0

We support flexible working – click here for more information on flexible working options Flexible Working Options Hybrid Working, Job Share

Job Title: SME Relationship Director - Kent

Location(s): Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone or Ashford

Salary: Competitive package available

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.

Benefits

• 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

At Lloyds Banking Group, we're driven by a clear purpose; to help Britain prosper. Across the Group, our colleagues are focused on making a difference to customers, businesses and communities. With us you'll have a key role to play in shaping the financial services of the future, whilst the scale and reach of our Group means you'll have many opportunities to learn, grow and develop. We keep your data safe. So, we'll only ever ask you to provide confidential or sensitive information once you have formally been invited along to an interview or accepted a verbal offer to join us which is when we run our background checks. We'll always explain what we need and why, with any request coming from a trusted Lloyds Banking Group person. We're focused on creating a values-led culture and are committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the customers and communities we serve. Together we're building a truly inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference.