Business Development Director - Unsecured Loans

About Allica Bank

Allica is the UK’s fastest growing company - and the fastest-growing financial technology (Fintech) firm ever. Our purpose is to help established SMEs, one of the last major underserved opportunities in Fintech.

Established SMEs are the backbone of local communities - representing over a third of our economy - yet have been largely neglected both by traditional high street banks and modern fintech providers.

Department Description

Allica exists for the half a million or so established SMEs with typically 5 to 100 employees. These SMEs are a crucial pillar of the UK’s prosperity - representing more than a quarter of all turnover and jobs - yet are increasingly neglected by traditional high street banks.

Allica has continued to build our reputation with our broker partners, winning numerous awards across the commercial mortgage and asset finance businesses being recognised by the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB), Business Money Facts, Asset Finance Connect, Leasing World and many others.

You will be playing a key role as we continue to scale the broker channel and build a bank dedicated to established SMEs, at what is a crucial time for them.

Role Description

The Business Development Director - Unsecured Loans role will support product development, contribute to credit appetite, shape the product launch into the broker market, (including marketing and market positioning) and lead the execution of Allica’s Unsecured Loans distribution strategy. The role will be accountable for continuing to deliver flawless service to our broker partners, leading Allica’s commercial success in the Unsecured Loan market. In this hands-on role the Business Development Director will deliver a professional relationship management service to our Unsecured Loan broker partners and prospective customers providing an exemplary level of service and maximising value. The Business Development Director will work with the Head of Sales and Chief Commercial Officer to ensure a market leading proposition is delivered whilst recruiting, developing and leading Allica’s nationwide team to support our growth.

Principal Accountabilities

• Deliver the Unsecured Loans business plan, building and leading the growth of the product in line with agreed strategic and financial targets. Drive the P&L of the Unsecured Loans portfolio, managing lending volumes while inputting into pricing, returns and credit quality.

• Recruit, lead and performance manage a high-performing BDM sales team, ensuring clear objectives, accountability and a strong sales culture.

• Establish and maintain a disciplined operating rhythm, refining team structure where required, identifying capability gaps and securing approval for hires or organisational changes.

• Build and manage a portfolio of Unsecured Loan brokers and strategic partners, driving origination and income in line with monthly, quarterly and annual targets.

• Support the ongoing development of a best-in-class Unsecured Loan proposition, ensuring product, distribution and market positioning are aligned to SME needs.

• Develop and execute a broker-focused marketing and engagement plan, coordinating with internal stakeholders to deliver aligned and effective growth initiatives.

• Own performance reporting and forward-looking strategic planning, providing regular updates to the Executive Committee and key stakeholders.

• Support credit processes in line with policy and appetite, sponsoring applications where appropriate and leading at Credit Committee when required, while operating within agreed pricing discretion.

• Champion outstanding broker and customer experience, working cross-functionally to ensure seamless delivery, continuous improvement, and alignment with the Bank’s culture, governance standards and operational controls.

Personal Attributes & Experience

• A proven track record of delivering financial products and services into the broker market with a laser focus on service and delivery.

• A strong understanding of unsecured lending, including financial and cashflow analysis, facility structuring and documentation.

• Ability to design and deliver business development strategies and tactics strongly aligned with commercial goals and customer need.

• Proven track record in providing excellent customer service and in generating lending opportunities whilst effectively managing credit risk.

• You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills together with evidence of strong career progression and outperformance.

• You have experience in supporting the creation a high talent environment and strong culture, through excellent hiring, training coaching and performance management.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and distributing Unsecured Loan products and propositions.

• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across cross-functional teams both internally and externally.

• Thorough knowledge of the changing financial services landscape, with the ability to evaluate industry, market, customer, competitor and regulatory trends, to ensure that risks are identified and mitigated and that opportunities for new propositions are identified

• Deep market intelligence including a well-developed understanding of the best practices in relationship management and market competitors.

• Be a recognised industry expert.

• A proven negotiator, trusted, strategic and proactive.

Working at Allica Bank

At Allica Bank we want to ensure our employees have the right tools and environment in which to succeed in their role and in support of our customers.

Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, so our benefits are designed with you in mind:

• Full onboarding support and continued development opportunities

• Options for flexible working

• Regular social activities

• Pension contributions

• Discretionary bonus scheme

• Private health cover

• Life assurance

• Family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave

Don’t tick every box?

Don’t worry if you don’t have all the skills or requirements listed on the job description. If you think you’ll be a good fit, we’d still love to hear from you!

Flexible working

We know the ‘9-to-5’ isn’t right for everyone. That’s why Allica Bank is fully committed to flexible and hybrid working. Please let us know what is best for you and, if we can, we will do our best to accommodate.

Diversity

We’re a diverse bunch here at Allica, with all kinds of experiences, backgrounds and lifestyles. Our openness and differences make us stronger, and we want everybody to feel comfortable bringing as much of themselves to work with them as they like.