Senior Director, ThinCats - Independent Sponsors
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£75,100
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 1131 is an eligible occupation, but we are only 56% sure that is the right code. SHAWBROOK BANK LIMITED is a licensed sponsor, so if the code fits, the role should qualify. Check the occupation eligibility rules against what the job actually involves.
This could also be SOC 2440 (Business and financial project management professionals) or SOC 3532 (Insurance underwriters). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1131 Financial managers and directors Most likely code | £52,600 | £60,100 | £67,600 | £75,100 |
2440 Business and financial project management professionals Also possible | £39,500 | £45,200 | £50,800 | £56,500 |
3532 Insurance underwriters Also possible | £33,400 | £41,700 | £41,700 | £41,700 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
ThinCats is the Group's specialist brand for mid sized SMEs, providing consistent, timely and flexible funding solutions of £2m to £30m through pioneering data, personal relationships and a pragmatic lending process. This role sits within Corporate Leverage and is originated under the ThinCats brand.
- Independent Sponsors (“IS”) are experienced dealmakers who identify, structure and lead buyouts and growth acquisitions without a committed fund behind them, raising equity deal by deal from co-investment partners as each transaction requires. Sponsors typically secure exclusivity first and syndicate equity to close, so judging equity certainty and the sponsor's ability to deliver it is central to the underwrite.
- As Senior Director, you will be a senior originator and a recognised part of ThinCats' face to market in the independent sponsor community, driving the identification, structuring and execution of IS transactions, and leading deal teams including more junior colleagues.
- You will own the client and sponsor relationship on your transactions, working within the appetite, pricing framework and standards set by the Head of Independent Sponsors, and contributing to the team's origination, profitability and return on equity targets.
Key Responsibilities
Originate With Authority
- Maintain an active network of senior level relationships with independent sponsors, their co-investment partners, intermediaries and advisers active in the UK lower mid-market.
- Act as a key “go-to” point of contact for inbound enquiries and be recognised as part of ThinCats' face to market in the independent sponsor community, generating new opportunities through targeted outbound activity.
- Qualify opportunities against IS criteria and the team's risk appetite, focusing on majority or control positions, or significant minority stakes with clearly controlling governance rights, and recognising when a transaction is better served elsewhere in the Group.
Structure and Deliver
- Structure, negotiate and execute the larger and more complex IS debt facilities, underwriting the target business, the sponsor's track record and their ability to deliver equity certainty to completion.
- Analyse target businesses and financial models in detail to build a thorough view of risk, and structure facilities that meet the sponsor's needs while protecting the Bank appropriately.
- Write or supervise high quality sighting and credit papers, ensuring all material risks are identified, minimised and mitigated, and presented with a clear recommendation.
- Lead the client and sponsor relationship through diligence, credit approval and legal completion, working with the Transaction Management team who drive execution, and keeping the deal moving through clear direction and fast decisions.
Lead and Develop
- Lead deal teams, including more junior colleagues, on your own transactions and in support of colleagues' deals more broadly.
- Maintain senior level relationships with Portfolio, Risk, Operations, Credit and Finance relevant to any given transaction.
- Serve as a role model within the team, supporting the development of less experienced team members.
Act With Judgement on Risk, Governance and Conduct
- Report all issues of regulatory concern to the Operations Director / Bank Legal & Compliance Director promptly and effectively.
- Maintain strong governance and conduct discipline throughout: clear rationale, strong documentation, no surprises.
Skills & Experience
- Exceptional analytical skills, with the ability to manage complex issues; strong grounding in financial models and financial statements.
- In-depth knowledge of leveraged and acquisition finance structures, including negotiation of legal documentation.
- Judgement on equity certainty and syndication risk in deal-by-deal funded transactions.
Education/Professional Qualifications
Shawbrook is committed to providing opportunities to all candidates, and understand that not all candidates may possess a qualification or education aligned to the role. We will assess each candidate on their individual experience and skills, and not solely on level of education.
Key attributes
- An originator first: established in the independent sponsor market and hungry to build ThinCats' franchise there.
- Comfortable underwriting without a fund behind the sponsor: assesses the sponsor's track record, co-investor base and ability to close as rigorously as the underlying business.
- Disciplined about scope: qualifies hard against IS criteria and knows when a transaction is better served elsewhere.
- Preferably 10 years' experience in financial services, including 5 years' experience leading senior corporate leverage or independent sponsor cashflow debt transactions.
Your Wellbeing - We take your health and well-being very seriously by providing a range of benefits to give you and your family peace of mind. These include:
- Market leading family friendly policies such as access to our Maternity, Adoption and Paternity policies from Day 1 of your employment
- Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness & meditation digital health app
- Free access to Peppy digital health app that offers personalised support through fertility treatment becoming a parent or menopause
- EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) - Offering you support on a wide range of subjects including financial concerns, mental wellbeing and more general queries around family, work, housing, and health
Your Lifestyle - It’s important you strike the right balance between your work and personal life. We provide benefits to support you when at work and when you’re enjoying your leisure time.
- Minimum of 27 days holiday per year
- Option to buy or sell holiday days through our flexi-holiday scheme
- Discounts on gym membership nationwide
- Access to discounts on a range of high street and online brands
- Community support and charitable giving
Your Contribution - We’re focused on rewarding those that go the extra mile in helping us achieve our goals.
- Participation in our annual discretionary bonus scheme designed to reward your contribution to our success
- Proudly Shawbrook recognition scheme focused on recognising our role models and thanking our colleagues for a job well done
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with SHAWBROOK BANK LIMITED, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Financial managers and directors (SOC 1131) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~395k in sample- Middle half £50,856–115,596
- Median £75,972
- Going rate £75,100
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £52,600–67,600
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at SHAWBROOK BANK LIMITEDAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. SHAWBROOK BANK LIMITED holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 1131 going rate of £75,100. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.