Business Development Manager

Hello, We are Recognise Bank.

Our vision is to become the UK’s leading business bank, providing tailored lending and savings solutions designed to meet the unique needs of modern SMEs.

Founded in 2017 by experienced business owners, Recognise Bank was born out of a shared frustration with the traditional banking industry’s lack of understanding, flexibility, and certainty for small and medium-sized businesses. We believed there was a better way to serve the SME community—and we set out to create it.

In 2021, we received our banking licence and quickly built a strong community of loyal business customers, supported by our dedicated, diverse, and expert team.

At Recognise Bank, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a range of flexible lending solutions and secure, FSCS-protected savings accounts with competitive interest rates, empowering businesses to thrive with confidence.

About the role

As a Business Development Manager at Recognise Bank, you will play a key role in driving growth within the commercial real estate lending market. Reporting to the Director of Lending, you will focus on establishing and managing strong, sustainable relationships with panel brokers and direct clients in your region. You will deliver exceptional client service by identifying and completing high-quality lending propositions that meet their funding needs, secured by commercial property. Operating within credit risk appetite and lending policies, you’ll help secure new broker and client relationships while supporting existing clients to achieve their financial goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver lending volumes and product mix to meet personal targets and support the Bank’s financial plan, including cross-selling products (lending, savings, etc.).
• Build awareness of the Recognise brand through targeted networking with brokers and professional communities, attending events, and managing allocated broker relationships.
• Review and analyze new business enquiries, producing credit papers and collaborating with the “Deal Team” to ensure timely sanctioning and completion of transactions.
• Ensure lending proposals meet credit risk appetite, lending policies, and minimum return requirements.
• Maintain high data quality standards to support business and regulatory reporting needs.
• Provide outstanding service to clients, evidenced by positive feedback and survey results.
• Communicate transparently with internal stakeholders (e.g., Loan Management, Credit Underwriting) and external parties where necessary.
• Lead or support commercial lending-related projects within the Business Development Team and across the business.
• Adhere to regulatory requirements (e.g., Consumer Duty, SMCR) and complete all mandatory training on time.
• Comply with corporate policies, risk management, compliance, and financial crime obligations relevant to your role.

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of lending experience, with expertise in commercial property sectors and lending markets.
• Strong market knowledge across a broad range of commercial property secured lending sectors.
• Proven track record in business development, relationship management, and identifying new opportunities through networking.
• Advanced skills in business case writing and credit analysis.
• Exceptional service delivery with a focus on client satisfaction.
• Ability to assess diverse lending proposals (e.g., bridging finance, medium-term lending) and present clear risk analyses and recommendations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including networking, negotiation, presentation, and influencing at all levels.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and able to manage workload independently.
• Collaborative, performance-driven, and committed to continuous improvement.

Why join?

Generous Time Off: 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.

Work From Anywhere: 4 weeks of Work From Anywhere allowance per year.

Learning & Development: Support for professional growth through tailored training and development programs.

Hybrid Working: Flexible working model with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote per week.

Recognise Bank is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.