Head of SME Lending, Centre of Excellence

We are currently seeking an experienced professional to join our team in the role of Head of SME Lending, Centre of Excellence.

• Lead and manage a dedicated team to deliver client performance against plan, balancing growth, customer outcomes and risk discipline
• Maintain strong relationships and access at key decision‑maker level for assigned clients
• Co‑ordinate origination and execution across the full spectrum of HSBC products and services
• Combine relationship management with robust credit and risk assessment to ensure appropriate credit quality and returns on risk
• Grow revenues across an allocated portfolio by deepening existing relationships and originating new revenue streams
• Identify and execute opportunities to grow HSBC’s SME lending market share, including through new distribution channels, strategic partners, and new products, services or capabilities
• Drive innovation in SME lending, including exploring and adopting AI and other technologies to improve speed, decisioning, customer experience and operational efficiency
• Build and embed a Lending Centre of Excellence, setting best practice for credit, underwriting, portfolio management, proposition development and delivery—supporting the business ambition to enable more SMEs with fast, flexible access to finance

• In‑depth knowledge and experience of credit, lending and risk, with strong judgement and a track record of delivering sustainable growth
• Strong knowledge of the UK SME market, including how geopolitics and macroeconomic conditions influence commercial outcomes; able to engage credibly with customers, regulators and colleagues
• Proven experience driving team and individual performance to achieve customer and financial targets
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills, with the ability to inspire, influence and negotiate
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and pace—able to make prompt, practical decisions and take accountability for outcomes
• Strong commercial acumen: able to understand customers’ businesses and priorities and engage at all levels
• A change mindset: experience improving processes, customer journeys or operating models; familiarity with data/AI‑enabled decisioning is an advantage

As an HSBC employee in the UK, you’ll have access to tailored professional development opportunities and a competitive pay and benefits package. This includes private healthcare for all UK‑based employees, enhanced maternity and adoption pay and support when you return to work, and a contributory pension scheme with a generous employer contribution.

At HSBC, we’re dedicated to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces—no matter their gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, socio‑economic background, or age. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring careers at HSBC are inclusive and accessible for everyone to be at their best. We take pride in being a Disability Confident Leader and will offer an interview to people with disabilities, long‑term conditions, or neurodivergent candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If you have a need that requires accommodations or changes during the recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Helpdesk via