SME Relationship Director, Trading Sectors - Berkshire

Lloyds Banking Group; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 15%

Annual bonus

Share schemes

Discounts

30 days holiday

Wellbeing & parental leave

Job summary

Lloyds Banking Group in Berkshire is seeking an SME Relationship Director to manage a portfolio of high-potential SME clients with turnovers between £10m and £50m. You will act as strategic advisor, delivering tailored financial solutions and helping clients grow income and markets while strengthening Lloyds' local presence.

This hybrid role combines relationship leadership with rigorous risk assessment and collaboration with internal teams to unlock opportunities and support ESG journeys.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of winning new business in corporate/commercial banking.
• Ability to be the go-to banker in their geographic area with strong external presence.
• Demonstrable credit experience with ability to evaluate propositions for the Credit team.
• Strong communication skills for managing client and partner relationships.
• Collaborative teammate with drive to succeed individually and in a team.
• Understanding of Commercial Banking risk types and mitigation strategies.

Responsibilities

• Build Trusted Relationships: Act as a strategic advisor to high-value clients, placing their needs at the centre of everything you do.
• Deliver Tailored Solutions: Proactively identify and provide Commercial Banking services, including day-to-day banking, working capital support, payments, deposits, cards, and lending.
• Drive Growth: Lead initiatives to attract new clients through strategic outreach and relationship building, while expanding revenue, balance sheet, and client base.
• Be a Local Leader: Maintain a strong presence in Berkshire, engaging with business communities and influencers to position the Bank as the leading partner for clients.
• Collaborate for Success: Forge strong partnerships with internal teams and external partners to unlock opportunities and deliver comprehensive solutions.
• Champion Sustainability: Support clients on ESG strategies and their journey to Net Zero.

Skills

New business development

Relationship management

Credit evaluation

Communication

Team collaboration

Risk awareness

Job description

JOB TITLE: SME Relationship Director, Trading Sectors - Berkshire

HOURS: Full-time

WORKING PATTERN: Our work style is hybrid, which involves spending at least 1 day per week, or 20% of your time, at one of our office sites. The remainder of your time will be spent supporting and meeting clients.

About The Role

In this role you'll play a key part in shaping our market presence and helping businesses achieve their financial goals and ambitions. You'll manage a diverse portfolio of new and existing SME clients with turnovers between £10m-£50m, ensuring outstanding client experiences while driving growth in income, balance sheet, and market share. By delivering tailored financial solutions and building strong, trusted relationships, you'll position Lloyds as the leading bank for businesses across Berkshire.

Your work will combine strategic growth, risk management, and community engagement, making a real impact on local businesses and the wider market.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Build Trusted Relationships: Act as a strategic advisor to high-value clients, placing their needs at the centre of everything you do.
• Deliver Tailored Solutions: Proactively identify and provide Commercial Banking services, including day-to-day banking, working capital support, payments, deposits, cards, and lending.
• Drive Growth: Lead initiatives to attract new clients through strategic outreach and relationship building, while expanding revenue, balance sheet, and client base.
• Be a Local Leader: Maintain a strong presence in Berkshire, engaging with business communities and influencers to position the Bank as the leading partner for clients.
• Collaborate for Success: Forge strong partnerships with internal teams and external partners to unlock opportunities and deliver comprehensive solutions.
• Champion Sustainability: Support clients on ESG strategies and their journey to Net Zero.
• Manage Risk Effectively: Oversee lending assessments and contingent liabilities, ensuring compliance with asset quality and policy guidelines.

What You'll Need:

• A consistent track record of winning new business in a competitive environment within corporate or commercial banking.
• 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.
• Demonstrable credit experience, skilled at evaluating propositions and making confident and effective commercial recommendations to the Credit team.
• Strong communication skills with experience in building, crafting, and maintaining relationships with clients and influential external partners.
• A collaborative teammate with the drive and passion to succeed both individually and as part of the wider team.
• An understanding and appreciation of the different types of Commercial Banking risk and how to minimise these effectively.

About Working For Us

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. And, 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 employer 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