Job Description

Job title: Relationship Manager 

Location: Remote (Kent)

Working pattern: full-time 

Salary: up to £70,000 - £80,000 + benefits

Vargo is recruiting a Relationship Manager for a UK-wide, independent commercial lender that is looking to expand their team. The company are well-established with offices throughout the UK but looking to add an additional head to the Oxford area. The role will be remote based but with weekly meet-ups in Fleet.

The role will working alongside a seasoned team of commercial lenders with a strong back-office support network. As a Relationship Manager, you will be responsible for managing introducer networks which include solicitors, accountants, brokers, bankers, investors and other commercial lenders. You will be the initial point of contact for new business clients looking for small to medium business loans. You will provide a first filter for lending enquiries, so a knowledge/experience of commercial lending is important.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with new and existing introducers
• Understand customer needs and assess their borrowing requirements
• Attend business networking events, expos and local trade shows
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of new business opportunities
• Ensure a steady stream of lending requirements into the region
• Work with other colleagues in the region to ensure the full geographical patch is covered
• Ability to understand cash-flow based lending within an SME setting

Requirements

• Previous experience in commercial lending or a related field
• Strong understanding of small to medium sized businesses and their financial needs
• Excellent relationship building and communication skills
• Proven ability to generate new business
• Self-motivated and self-driven
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Customer-centric
• Enjoy business networking and engaging with the business community

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunity to work with a growing and dynamic team
• Chance to make a real difference to the success of SME in the South coast region
• Career development opportunities

As Operational Risk and Compliance Manager you will act as an essential bridge between regulatory demands and compliance strategy. Skilled in translating complex data into clear, actionable governance reports, you bring deep expertise across FCA operational resilience and non-financial risk frameworks.

• Support and enhance Shieldpay’s risk and control Management framework, including facilitating risk and control self-assessments (RCSAs) across the business. Work with stakeholders to identify and assess risks, implement mitigation strategies, and manage control testing and reporting. Assist in defining and articulating the company’s risk appetite and provide the necessary tools and support to ensure we remain within defined risk boundaries.
• Drive our regulatory compliance initiatives to ensure full compliance with all applicable regulatory and statutory requirements, within the payments space. Ensure that an effective compliance framework is embedded across the firm, meeting all legal and regulatory obligations and staying up to date with new regulations and ensure timely implementation across the business.
• Play a key role in our Operational Resilience strategy including by supporting the development and implementation of the Operational Resilience Framework, ensuring our customers are not subject to intolerable harm.
• Prepare reports for management that measure risk profiles and highlight key risks, themes, and trends. Ensure all risks, issues, and actions taken are reported clearly and concisely, enabling appropriate action from stakeholders. Leverage data analysis to inform decision-making and provide insights on risk management and compliance performance. Ensure timely reporting to the FCA, including ensuring continued compliance with our Regulatory Reporting obligations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and improve risk and compliance processes that are practical, efficient, and aligned with the firm’s objectives. Communicate complex regulatory and risk-related information clearly to stakeholders at all levels of the firm, ensuring shared understanding and commitment to compliance.
• Lead the firm’s regulatory compliance training framework, ensuring employees are well-informed with compliance requirements and best practices. Drive the delivery of compliance initiatives, working across teams to prioritize and ensure the successful implementation of plans.
• Ensure the firm delivers positive customer outcomes by partnering with product teams to implement best practices and industry-leading standards. Monitor the regulatory environment for evolving trends and advise product teams on compliance considerations for new products and features.
• Develop and deliver the 2LOD Compliance Monitoring Plan, including in-depth thematic reviews and ongoing quality assurance activity across a wide range of compliance and operational risk matters.

What we're looking for in you

• Skilled in writing complex data into clear, actionable governance reports.
• Comprehensive understanding of FCA operational resilience and non-financial risk frameworks.
• Proficient in communicating intricate compliance mandates across all organisational levels, including C-suite and Board members.
• Highly autonomous professional capable of driving concurrent, multi-track initiatives to completion.

Our Promise: Shieldpay is an equal opportunities employer. For Shieldpay building a fair and transparent workforce begins with the recruitment process that does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. We offer flexible working options, such as flexible hours and hybrid work, to support our employees' work-life balance