EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential –

• Educated to degree-level and/or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline (S)
• Experience in the financial services sector, with an understanding of both operational processes and the delivery of lending/investment activities (S&I)
• Experience of managing effective client relationships (S&I)
• Understanding of key financial metrics and ability to analyse financial statements including balance sheets, P&L and cash flow statements, preferably from a credit risk perspective. (S&I)
• Experience in managing to KPIs within in a tightly controlled environment. (S&I)
• A team player, with the ability to lead by example and collaborate effectively (S&I)

Desirable –

• Experience of administration and recoveries processes. (S&I)
• Interest/background/experience in innovation or research, business competitiveness and technology policy or delivery. (S&I)
• Experience of working with public funds, including managing public money contexts. (S&I)

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

JOB PURPOSE:

You will be responsible for an allocated portfolio of around 50-75 customers requiring effective and efficient management. Spotting early signs of distress and finding ways both to support the customer and protect public money will be central to the role. Identifying opportunities to promote and praise success will be equally important.
The role will require a highly proactive and partnership approach with both internal and external stakeholders to protect the existing exposures. A key aspect of the role is to grow and develop relationships with existing Customers while successfully onboarding new customers into the portfolio.
Given the early-stage nature of companies in the portfolio there is a significantly higher risk profile than that of a commercial lender. As a result, there is an expectation that a number of borrowers will default on their loan obligations and the appropriate recoveries process will need to be managed by the Relationship Manager.
You will benefit from the support of Portfolio Analysts to support day to day activities, and as a Relationship Manager, you will be expected to help develop the Analysts within the team to foster a culture in which opportunities for continual improvement and innovation are welcomed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Ensure, manage and develop sustainable relationships with an allocated Innovate UK Loans portfolio
• Complete periodic assessments of portfolio risk profile, reviewing quarterly management information and reporting any changes required to customer credit grading.
• Work in conjunction with external Monitoring Officers to ensure loan funds are being appropriately utilised on designated projects, facilitating any Project or Drawdown Change Requests required.
• Manage default and recovery scenarios, working with third party professional services firms as appropriate, including lawyers, accountants, and administrators.
• Responsible for ongoing reporting to the Head of Portfolio on performance, progress, and issues
• Work collaboratively across the wider IUK Loans function including Credit, Portfolio and Lending Operations teams
• Contributing to the continuous improvement cycle for all portfolio management activities, exemplifying a culture of self-reflection, critical analysis and action
• Undertake training and development to support your personal growth within Innovate UK