Portfolio Manager

We are currently seeking a Portfolio Manager to support the continued growth of the SME Lending portfolio.

This is primarily an office-based role, requiring a minimum of two days per week in the London office. Additional travel to our Manchester office may occasionally be required.

About the job

Reporting to the Senior Portfolio Manager, the Portfolio Manager is a first line role within SME Lending, responsible for supporting the ongoing management, oversight and optimisation of the SME lending portfolio.

The role combines credit stewardship, data quality and management information (MI), portfolio monitoring and coordination of portfolio-level activities, with particular responsibility for recurring data review and reporting processes.

Working closely with the Senior Portfolio Manager, Head of SME Product Risk, Lending Directors, Credit, Operations and second line Risk functions, the role helps ensure that the SME portfolio performs within risk appetite and is supported by accurate data, timely insight and effective governance.

Key Responsibilities:

Portfolio & Credit Stewardship

• Support the day-to-day oversight of the SME lending portfolio, monitoring performance, arrears, risk trends, concentrations and emerging issues.
• Coordinate recurring credit stewardship activities, including portfolio reviews, watchlists, covenant monitoring and early warning indicators, escalating material issues to the Senior Portfolio Manager.
• Act as a key working-level point of coordination between Relationship Management, Credit, Risk and Operations on portfolio matters.
• Support proactive management of underperforming or higher-risk exposures in line with Credit Policy and risk appetite.
• Support consistent application of portfolio management and credit stewardship standards across SME Lending.

 Risk Management & Governance

• Support the Senior Portfolio Manager in the management of first line credit and operational risk across the SME portfolio.
• Identify, assess and escalate portfolio-level risks, data issues, themes and control matters.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and embedding of SME lending risk frameworks, controls and policies.
• Work closely with second line Risk and Compliance to support effective governance, oversight and timely issue resolution.

Management Information & Reporting

• Prepare and continuously improve monthly SME risk reports, portfolio MI, dashboards and committee reporting, ensuring outputs are accurate, complete, timely and supported by clear commentary.
• In conjunction with the Senior Portfolio Manager, own and coordinate ESG reporting including data collation, validation, submission, reconciliation and resolution of data-quality issues.
• Own and coordinate Equifax reporting as this activity transitions into the First Line of Defence, including data preparation, validation, submission, reconciliation and issue management.
• Complete monthly post-completion data reviews to confirm that newly completed facilities and changes to existing exposures are accurately reflected across source systems, portfolio datasets and reporting outputs.

Credit File & Committee Support

• Undertake pre-Credit Committee file reviews to assess completeness, consistency and data quality, identify gaps or discrepancies, and support timely remediation ahead of submission.
• Provide portfolio and data support to Lending Directors and Relationship Managers on complex cases, restructures and portfolio-driven activity.

Process Improvement & Change

• Identify opportunities to improve portfolio management, data controls, reporting processes and MI, including appropriate use of automation and AI.
• Support the development and enhancement of SME Lending platforms, data flows and systems, including Salesforce and nCino.
• Drive consistency, control and efficiency across portfolio data and reporting activities.

Collaboration & Expertise

• Act as a subject matter resource within SME Lending on portfolio data, reporting and credit stewardship processes.
• Share knowledge and support colleagues in applying portfolio management, data quality and credit file standards.
• Demonstrate strong risk culture, ownership, customer focus and professional standards.

Required Skills:

Essential

• Relevant experience within SME / Commercial Banking, credit risk, portfolio management or lending operations.
• Good understanding of SME lending products, credit structures and first line credit stewardship.
• Strong analytical and data capability, with the ability to validate information, identify inconsistencies and produce high-quality MI and insight.
• Strong organisation, stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to manage recurring monthly deliverables.
• Strong stakeholder influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility, gain buy-in and effectively influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Intermediate/Advanced Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word skills.

Desirable

• Experience with Salesforce and/or nCino, credit bureau reporting or portfolio data submissions.
• Exposure to financial crime considerations within SME lending portfolios.
• Experience reviewing credit files, supporting Credit Committee processes or contributing to risk appetite and credit policy implementation.

Skills & Behaviours

Able to demonstrate:

• Sound judgement and a balanced commercial and risk mindset.
• Clear and confident communication with stakeholders across Lending, Credit, Risk and Operations.
• High attention to detail, particularly in relation to data quality, reconciliation and credit documentation.
• Strong ownership and accountability for recurring reporting and control activities.
• Ability to prioritise effectively across monthly reporting cycles and ad hoc portfolio requirements.
• A collaborative, improvement-focused approach.
• Acting as an advocate for strong risk culture, reliable data and positive customer outcomes.