Associate Director | S3 | Strategic Debt Solutions, Structured & Specialist Finance | London

Country: United Kingdom

IT STARTS HERE

Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.

This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

Our Corporate & Commercial Banking (CCB) division is focused on helping businesses grow, both in the UK and internationally.

It offers wide-ranging financial and ‘beyond banking’ services to high-growth and ambitious UK companies - from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to mid-sized and larger corporates. It helps these businesses to thrive and in turn, supports the UK economy.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

SANTANDER, STRUCTURED & SPECIALIST FINANCE is looking for an ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR based out of LONDON.

The Strategic Debt Solutions Associate Director role sits within Structured & Specialist Finance (‘SSF’), a division within Santander Corporate & Commercial Banking.

SSF’s focus is primarily debt–led, delivering bespoke funding solutions, mainly for complex and event driven opportunities, across both new and existing Corporate & Commercial Banking clients.

We’re passionate about helping people and businesses prosper and we strive to be simple, personal and fair in everything we do. That’s why we’ve built a culture of respect, where everyone is empowered to keep their promises and go above-and-beyond for our customers, colleagues and the communities we serve.

You will be supported by an experienced team who are keen to give you the exposure you need to continue your professional development and grow in a rewarding Structured Finance environment.

We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• Supporting Directors to assess new deal structures and lending opportunities.

Reviewing and analysing client and transaction financial and related information across a wide range of sectors and deal types.

Delivering, preparing credit submissions and presenting to Deal Forums and Credit Committees.

Working with Business Development, Relationship Teams and other product areas to identify, originate and structure potential new to bank and growth opportunities.

Covering a wide range of KBIs, intermediaries and prospect management teams in conjunction with more senior team members and Coverage colleagues.

Supporting in key strategic initiatives / projects within the team and / or wider Structured and Specialist Finance Group.

Supporting your team by working effectively as part of a wider team and with other Santander Group divisions, learning to increase contribution over time by proactively working on professional development.

Contribute to the team’s financial targets, whilst maintaining discipline over credit quality.

What You’ll Bring

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond

by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Hard Skills

• Excellent technical knowledge and experience of operating in the UK mid-market Corporate and /or Leveraged Finance market in either an origination or portfolio management capacity (Required).
• Experience of working on complex leverage transactions including MBOs, acquisitions and growth finance (Preferred).
• Well-developed credit skills with the ability to undertake financial modelling and sensitivity analysis (Required).
• Ability to manage all aspects of a deal team’s activities, including timeline management; credit writing; financial analysis / modelling; committee presentations; market awareness and working with external legal counsel and third-party advisers to document and close transactions (Required).
  
  

Soft Skills

• Excellent, demonstrable, stakeholder management skills (Required).

Well-developed Relationship building skills both internally and externally with the ability to work within a high performing team environment (Preferred).

Well-developed KBI and advisor network (Preferred).

Professional Experience

• Accountancy qualifications or similar Professional Qualifications are preferred, but not essential (Preferred).
• Experience of managing and negotiating legal processes and documentation with external lawyers (Preferred).
  
  

Education

• Degree and / or masters qualified from a reputable institution (Preferred).
• Subject matter at degree or master’s level to have at least an element of finance related content or application (Preferred).
• Strong attainment at A level and / or GCSE and their equivalents (Preferred).
  
  

Languages

• Fluency in written and oral English (Required)
  
  

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return.

Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.

• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5yrs service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year

Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.

Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.

Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation.

We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates.

We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.

To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles).

When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s).

Right to work in the UK

• Every individual must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander either by way of nationality, visa or work permit. If you do require a working visa / permit this will not influence our decision on whether to progress your application. However, if you do not have a right to work, or an application for a working visa / permit is unsuccessful, Santander will not proceed with your application and will withdraw any conditional offer previously made.
  
  

We welcome applications on the understanding that, should you be offered this role, there may be no relocation package available. Santander will pay the employer mandatory government fees that are required to pay in connection with visa sponsorship. You may be liable for your own personal employee immigration and relocation costs.

What To Do Next

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it’s a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we’re available through email. You can contact us at resourcing@santander.co.uk.