Director

This role sits within our Growth Finance team and is focused on managing and developing a portfolio of venture debt connections within Strategic Finance. The successful candidate will be responsible for building deep, trusted relationships with existing clients, applying strong commercial judgement and market insight to support portfolio performance, identify emerging risks and deliver sustainable income in line with our credit and regulatory framework.

We are a well-established and respected participant in the UK venture debt market, with a strong and proven track record of supporting high-growth businesses. Our portfolio comprises fast-scaling, innovation-led and technology-enabled companies, where our non-dilutive capital plays a critical role in enabling growth. Through proactive portfolio management, we work closely with management teams, investors and wider stakeholders to help businesses navigate key inflection points, extend their cash runway and maximise long-term value while protecting founder and investor equity.

At Nationwide we offer hybrid working wherever possible. More rewarding relationships are supported through our hybrid approach, bringing colleagues together across our UK wide estate, whilst also supporting generous access to home working. We value our time in the office to solve problems, to learn, and to feel connected.

For this job you'll spend at least two days per week, or if part time you'll spend 40% of your working time, based at our London office. If your application is successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this works. You can also find out more about our approach to hybrid working here. 

Virgin Money is now part of Nationwide

Nationwide acquired Virgin Money in October 2024. Virgin Money continues to serve customers on the high street, and there will be a phased and considered integration over the coming years.

You’ll be employed by Nationwide from day one, delivering real impact and benefitting from a highly competitive range of benefits. We’re a workplace where you’re rewarded, recognised and celebrated.

If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll be required to develop and build strong relationships with our portfolio companies, closely and diligently monitoring and controlling risk whilst also being pro-active and alert to identify new lending opportunities within the portfolio.

Be an advocate for the financial institution and provide superior standards and customer service to maintain our strong reputation in the market, positioning us well for warm referrals/introductions into new companies, relationships and lending opportunities.

Look to open doors for our origination team with warm introductions to venture capital and private equity funds that are invested into our portfolio companies to develop relationships and enhance our origination activity.

Alongside this, you’ll stay informed, knowledgeable and connected to the market, keeping up to date with trends and using this insight to find and shape new lending avenues and opportunities. 
 

About you

As a minimum requirement, you’ll have:

• Proven experience working within the venture debt market, with a clear track record of managing or supporting lending to high-growth businesses
• Strong ability to analyse and interpret financial statements, including cash flow forecasts and key performance measures, to inform lending decisions
• Demonstrated experience preparing credit applications and building financial models to support lending proposals
• Solid understanding of loan documentation and complex lending structures, particularly in venture debt transactions
• Ability to identify, assess, and manage risk within a lending portfolio to manage and minimise risk
• Strong communication and relationship management skills, with experience working with customers, investors, and internal stakeholders
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines in complex situations

Our customer first behaviours put customers and members at the heart of how we work together. They are the set of behaviours that every colleague needs to display, in every role:

• Feel what customers feel - We step into our customers’ shoes, using their feedback and insights to empathise with them and to understand their needs, so that every decision we make starts and finishes with our customers in mind
• Say it straight - We are brave in speaking out and saying what we think – we’re honest and direct with good intent, openly sharing diverse perspectives to reach the best conclusions and using language everyone can understand
• Push for better - We don’t settle for mediocrity, we challenge the status quo, taking responsibility for continuous improvement and personal development
• Get it done - We prioritise what will have the greatest impact, we are decisive, and we take accountability for delivering brilliant customer outcomes

You can strengthen your application by showing how our customer first behaviours resonate with you, and where you may have already demonstrated these.

The extras you’ll get

There are all sorts of employee benefits available at Nationwide, including:

• 25 days holiday, pro rata

• Private medical insurance

• A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement

• Access to an annual performance-related bonus

• Training and development to help you progress your career

• A great selection of additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme

• Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of your death

• Wellhub – access to a range of free and paid options for health and wellness

• Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year

Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society

We forge our own path at Nationwide.

As a mutual, we’re owned by our members - those customers who bank, save or have a mortgage with us. We challenge the financial sector status quo. We don’t see customers as the engine of our own profit. We share our profits with them and put their needs first. Always there when they need us. Supporting them and their lives.

If you’re inspired by fairer finances, passionate about making a meaningful impact, and truly care about our customers, you’re one of us.

At Nationwide, you are challenged to grow and rewarded for doing so. Valued. Recognised. Inspired to be your best. As a community, we want our working lives to count. As a team, we celebrate what we achieve. As a standard-setter, we work for the good of customers, communities, and broader society.

We are purpose-driven. Uncompromisingly customer. Unstoppably Nationwide.

What to do next

If this role is for you, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. You’ll need to attach your up-to-date CV and answer a few quick questions for us. 

Keeping your data and personal information confidential is important to us. To find out more about how we use and process your data, please read our Privacy policy.

If you want to find out more about using AI in our recruitment process, please read more here.

Disability Confident 

We’re not just guided by data, we’re driven by the real experiences of our people. We’re a Disability Confident Level 3 Leader, the highest level. 

That’s why we’re constantly evolving our policies and practices to make sure everyone feels genuinely supported, valued, and empowered to champion inclusion. Whatever your needs, we’re here to support you. If you need any additional support throughout your application journey, email our team at Recruitment Support. 

Apply safely with Nationwide

Recruitment scams can look convincing, so take a moment to check the role is listed on our official careers site and read our guidance on Don’t be conned by a job scam.

We respond to everyone, so we will be in contact shortly after the closing date to let you know the outcome of your application.