Relationship Manager, Commercial Banking

This role is responsible for growing the bank's SME client base and ensuring that existing business relationships generate increasing value across lending, deposits, and non-funded income. You will work at the intersection of client needs and internal credit processes, managing everything from initial prospect conversations to facility renewals and portfolio risk. Your ability to combine commercial judgement with strong interpersonal skills is what makes this role critical to the bank's overall Commercial Banking strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, pursue, and onboard new SME clients within your assigned sector, expanding the bank's liabilities, assets, and non-funded income streams.
• Deepen relationships with existing customers by analysing their financial activity, anticipating needs, and cross-selling products such as trade finance, treasury solutions, and working capital facilities.
• Take ownership of credit proposals from initial evaluation through to approval, ensuring they meet internal turnaround standards and align with the bank's risk appetite.
• Monitor portfolio health by reviewing account activity, managing facilities to keep Portfolio at Risk within acceptable levels, and ensuring overdrafts and other limits are renewed before expiry.
• Resolve client queries and escalate complex issues when needed, maintaining clear communication about product or service changes that may affect the customer's business.
• Collaborate with Branch Commercial Banking teams to drive sector growth nationally, supporting their profitability targets and helping to chart the career development of relationship staff.
• Work with Risk and Compliance units to enforce internal policies and regulatory requirements, reducing exposure to operational and credit risk.
• Represent the bank professionally in all external interactions, protecting its reputation while acting as a trusted adviser to the SME community.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, ideally in Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in SME or commercial banking, with direct responsibility for managing a client portfolio and meeting business growth targets.
• Strong credit analysis skills, including the ability to interpret financial statements, assess cash flow, and judge the reasonableness of earnings relative to the client's industry and trading period.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to engage with business owners, executives, and internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Well-developed planning and organisational abilities, allowing you to prioritise multiple client demands, credit deadlines, and reporting commitments.
• Sound decision-making and problem-solving skills, particularly under pressure and in situations involving customer dissatisfaction or complex financial needs.
• Commercial awareness and customer focus, combined with the emotional intelligence needed to build trust and maintain long-term relationships.
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment, fostering collaboration and supporting the growth of less experienced colleagues.