Senior Director, Credit Risk - Real Estate

ABOUT USAt Oak North, we’re on a mission to empower ambitious businesses and the communities they serve. Since 2015, we’ve lent over $21 billion across the UK and US, helped create more than 58,000 new homes and 36,000 new jobs, and supported hundreds of thousands of personal savers — all while driving economic growth in the markets we serve.

We’re an entrepreneurial, technology-led bank, combining deep lending expertise with data, technology and AI to make better decisions and deliver a different experience for our customers.

ABOUT THE TEAMOur Credit Risk team plays a critical role in enabling Oak North to support ambitious businesses while maintaining a high-quality lending portfolio. Working closely with Debt Finance Origination, Credit Analytics, Portfolio Management and Legal, we bring together technical expertise, independent judgement and commercial thinking to support lending decisions.

We’re a collaborative, fast-moving team where people are encouraged to challenge, take ownership and find solutions. You’ll be part of this team, bringing dedicated real estate expertise to the same shared portfolio and working closely with colleagues across Credit Risk and the wider business.

ABOUT

THE ROLE We’re looking for a Senior Director, Credit Risk – Real Estate to play a senior role in shaping credit decisions across Oak North’s UK real estate lending portfolio. You’ll lead the independent assessment and challenge of opportunities across a broad range of SME real estate businesses, from investment and development finance to operational real estate.

This is an opportunity to bring deep property credit expertise and sound commercial judgement to transactions that matter. You’ll work closely with Debt Finance Origination, Credit Analytics and Portfolio Management, influencing deals from an early stage, helping shape their structure and presenting clear, high-quality recommendations to Credit Committee.

As a senior member of the Credit Risk team, you’ll have the trust and scope to influence complex decisions, engage directly with customers and senior stakeholders, and help raise the quality of our approach to real estate lending. You’ll balance disciplined risk management with the opportunity to back ambitious businesses and the communities they serve.

WHAT YOU’LL DOLead credit decisions:
Own the independent assessment and challenge of new real estate lending opportunities, bringing clear judgement to decisions across the UK portfolio.

Shape transactions early:
Partner with Debt Finance Origination and Credit Analytics from the outset to identify key risks, test assumptions and develop structures that work for Oak North and its customers.

Set the standard for Credit Committee:
Lead clear, well-reasoned recommendations and bring constructive challenge to senior credit discussions and decisions.

Assess complex real estate:
Apply your expertise across investment and development finance in residential, office, retail and industrial property, as well as operational real estate such as PBSA, BTR and co-living.

Get beneath the numbers:
Scrutinise cashflow models, Red Book valuations and Project Monitor reports where relevant, making sure each decision is based on reliable, relevant and robust information.

Work directly with customers:
Join borrower discussions with the Debt Finance team, providing an early view on credit appetite, structure and the risks that need to be addressed.

Protect portfolio quality:
Work with Portfolio Management on existing exposures, including loan increases, extensions, covenant resets, restructurings and emerging risks.

Support strong execution:
Review term sheets, security structures and key documentation, working with Legal and Loan Execution to ensure appropriate protections…