Business Development Manager – SME Lending - Yorkshire

An exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and rapidly expanding SME lender as it develops its Direct to Market proposition and launches into Yorkshire.

Our client has a clear ambition: to help SMEs access the right funding, at the right price, at the right time. With significant institutional backing, a broad lending proposition and the agility of an alternative lender, they are entering an exciting new phase of growth.

They combine technology with a genuinely human approach to lending. Their experienced underwriters take the time to understand the business behind the application, with lending decisions often bespoke and solutions tailored to the individual circumstances of the customer.

Now entering Yorkshire for the first time, they are looking for an experienced Business Development Manager to build their presence locally.

This is a genuine opportunity to build a territory from the ground up, bring an established and respected lending brand into a new market and grow with the business as the Yorkshire team develops.

The Role

This is a Direct to Market role focused on originating new SME lending opportunities and developing long-term relationships across Yorkshire.

You’ll leverage your existing network of SMEs, business owners, professional contacts and introducers to identify opportunities, build relationships and position the right funding solutions around the needs of each business.

This isn't about one-off transactions. The successful candidate will build a strong network, stay close to their relationships and continue to add value long after the first deal is completed.

The lending proposition is broad, including:

• Merchant cash advances
• Business loans
• Unsecured lending
• Working capital solutions
• Bespoke SME funding
• Other commercial lending solutions

With appetite from approximately £50k to £5m, depending on the type of deal and structure, you'll have the flexibility to find solutions across a wide range of SME funding requirements.

What we're looking for

This role would suit an experienced SME lender or commercial finance BDM with a strong, largely self-originated network across Yorkshire and a proven ability to generate business directly to market.

You’ll ideally bring:

• 3+ years' experience in SME/direct lending
• Strong relationships with SMEs and business owners
• A proven ability to originate your own lending opportunities
• Strong credit, analytical and problem-solving skills
• The confidence to structure deals and build credibility directly with SME borrowers
• Commercial awareness and creativity when structuring funding solutions
• A self-starting, resilient and entrepreneurial approach
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• A genuine appetite to build something rather than simply manage an established patch

Why this opportunity?

Be first in. You’ll be the first member of the team on the ground in Yorkshire, with the opportunity to establish the brand, develop the market and make the role your own.

Build something. An office is planned in Leeds, with the Yorkshire team expected to scale as the proposition develops. This creates excellent longer-term career potential for someone who wants to grow with the business.

Strong institutional backing. Join an established and well-funded SME lender with significant investment supporting its next phase of growth.

Broad business lending proposition. From £50k business loans through to £5m transactions, with a diverse range of SME lending products and the flexibility to structure bespoke solutions.

Relationship-led lending. Technology plays an important role, but the business believes in combining it with the human touch. Experienced underwriters take the time to understand the business and its potential rather than simply relying on a tick-box approach.

Real autonomy. You’ll have the freedom to develop your own network, generate your own opportunities and establish the lender's presence across Yorkshire.

Career progression. As the regional operation grows, there will be genuine opportunity to develop with it and play an important role in shaping the future Yorkshire team.

The culture

This is an ambitious, entrepreneurial and diverse team operating in a fast-moving environment. They support each other, learn from each other and genuinely enjoy what they do.

The successful candidate will be someone who shares that can-do attitude: commercially minded, resilient and creative, with the ability to find a way to get things done.

Permanent | Full Time | Yorkshire / Leeds

An attractive and highly competitive salary and commission package is available, alongside strong benefits and professional development opportunities.

If you're well connected across Yorkshire, have a genuine track record in SME lending and are looking for the opportunity to build something from the ground up with a well-funded and growing lender, I'd be very keen to speak with you.

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