Senior Director - Manufacturing & Defence , Strategic Finance

We are expanding our Strategic Finance platform as part of an ambitious growth plan to significantly scale our presence in the mid‑market and sponsor‑backed segment across the UK. This role represents a key hire to support our national Manufacturing, Industrials & Defence sector strategy, a core growth priority for the business.

As a Senior Director, you will lead the origination, structuring and execution of complex senior debt transactions, with a primary focus on Manufacturing, Industrials & Defence clients across the UK. The role is sector‑led rather than geography‑bound, supporting both regional and national opportunities, aligned to your location and network.

You will take ownership of the full deal lifecycle — from origination through to execution — supporting the growth of a high‑quality portfolio of mid‑market, corporate and sponsor‑backed clients within the Manufacturing, Industrials & Defence ecosystem.

A critical aspect of the role is developing deep, sustainable relationships with private equity sponsors, corporate clients, organisations and professional advisers operating in the sector. You will position yourself as a trusted sector specialist, enhancing Nationwide’s visibility and credibility in Manufacturing, Industrials & Defence sectors, and driving consistent origination of high‑quality opportunities.

You will play a key role in delivering income growth and attractive risk‑adjusted returns, while maintaining strong portfolio quality aligned to our strategic objectives.

We are looking for high‑performing, entrepreneurial individuals who want to shape a growing franchise. This is a genuinely high‑impact role, offering significant visibility across the business and the opportunity to influence our national strategy. You will be supported to originate and deliver transactions, develop your internal profile, and progress your career within a growing and ambitious platform.

You will play a key role in delivering our national Manufacturing, Industrial & Defence sector strategy, originating high‑value, new‑to‑bank opportunities across the UK, aligned to your local and national network.

You will develop and execute targeted sector and intermediary coverage strategies, building a clearly differentiated approach within priority Manufacturing, Industrials & Defence sub‑sectors and sponsor ecosystems.

You will build and lead strategic client, sponsor and adviser relationships, acting as a trusted senior partner to drive long‑term value and repeat deal flow. Alongside this, you will lead the structuring and execution of complex lending transactions, maintaining strong credit discipline and alignment with risk appetite.

Externally, you will represent the bank as a sector specialist, enhancing market visibility and originating opportunities through networks, events and strategic partnerships. Internally, you will provide leadership and mentorship, contributing to a high‑performance, collaborative culture within Strategic Finance.

As a minimum requirement, you will have:

• Significant experience as a senior originator and relationship leader within mid‑market or corporate banking, with a demonstrable track record in Manufacturing & Complex Terminology Markets or adjacent sectors
• Proven ability to originate, structure and execute complex lending transactions, including sponsor‑backed and event‑driven financings
• Exceptional credit and technical expertise, with advanced financial analysis and structuring capability across a range of capital solutions
• Deep experience in stakeholder management, with an established network across corporates, private equity sponsors and professional advisers at a senior level
• Highly developed commercial judgement, with a consistent focus on income generation, capital efficiency and delivering attractive risk‑adjusted returns

There are all sorts of employee benefits available at Nationwide, including:

• Access to private medical insurance
• A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement
• Access to an annual performance‑related bonus
• Training and development to help you progress your career
• A great selection of additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme
• Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of your death
• Wellhub – access to a range of free and paid options for health and wellness
• Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year