OakNorth

Director – Credit Risk, Trading Businesses

OakNorth

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: London • United Kingdom

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Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Own the end-to-end credit recommendation for new business proposals: critically assess key risks, produce a clear written recommendation, and present findings to Credit Committee in a concise, well-structured format
  • Challenge and partner with Debt Finance Origination and Credit Analytics to improve paper quality and deal structure, ensuring recommendations reflect both sound credit judgement and positive customer outcomes within the bank's appetite
  • Attend Credit Committee, question borrowers directly on their funding requirements, and ensure Committee members have the information needed to make fully informed decisions
  • Communicate Credit Committee decisions clearly and manage all follow-up actions to resolution
  • Partner with Legal and Loan Execution through the completion process, ensuring documentation, security requirements, and conditions precedent are satisfied in line with what was approved
  • Join client meetings with the Debt Finance team to provide early guidance on appetite and deal structuring
  • Support Portfolio Management with in-life activity including annual reviews, increases, extensions, restructures, and covenant resets
  • Review due diligence materials, financial accounts, and covenant models; articulate the rationale behind threshold-setting and definitions with clarity
  • Uphold data quality standards so that the firm's risk assessments are based on information that is fit for purpose

Requirements

  • Substantial experience in SME cash-flow lending and credit analysis — Director-level roles typically require 10+ years in credit risk or a closely related function
  • Sector depth across collateralised lending (Healthcare, Hospitality, Leisure) and non-collateralised sectors (Financial Intermediaries, Manufacturing), with exposure to Structured and Leveraged Finance including M&A, financial sponsors, and MBO/MBI
  • Strong grasp of working capital mechanics and the full SME credit lifecycle from origination through to recoveries
  • Familiarity with credit risk models relevant to SME analysis: RWA, PD, LGD
  • Practical experience with covenant design and risk control techniques — both the theory and the application
  • Strong written communication skills: able to distil complex transactions into clear, focused recommendations
  • Effective stakeholder skills — able to challenge constructively, negotiate with confidence, and build trusted working relationships
Benefits
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Professional development opportunities
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
credit analysisSME cash-flow lendingcredit risk modelscovenant designrisk control techniquesfinancial analysisstructured financeleveraged financeM&Aworking capital mechanics
Soft Skills
written communicationstakeholder managementnegotiationconstructive challengingrelationship buildingcritical assessmentpresentation skillsclarity in communicationproblem-solvingcollaboration