Senior Director, Credit Risk – Real Estate

Overview

In this role, you will lead independent credit assessments for OakNorth’s UK real estate portfolio and shape lending decisions. You’ll collaborate with Debt Finance Origination, Credit Analytics and Portfolio Management to test structures and present clear recommendations to Credit Committee. You’ll engage with customers and senior stakeholders, balancing disciplined risk with support for ambitious businesses. This is a tech-enabled role where data, analytics and AI inform high‑quality outcomes in real estate lending.

Pay / Benefits

• Equity
• 25 days’ holiday
• private medical insurance
• enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• wellbeing and social events
• volunteering time off

Responsibilities

• Own independent assessment and challenge of new real estate lending opportunities across the UK portfolio
• Collaborate early with Origination and Analytics to identify risks and develop workable deal structures
• Lead clear, well-reasoned Credit Committee recommendations with constructive challenge
• Apply real estate expertise across investment, development and operational sectors
• Scrutinise cashflow models, valuations and project reports to ensure robust decision inputs
• Join borrower discussions to outline credit appetite, structure and risk mitigants
• Support portfolio quality with Portfolio Management on exposures, restructurings and risks
• Review term sheets and security structures with Legal and Loan Execution
• Exercise independent judgement on whether to support, challenge or reject proposals
• Contribute to strategic initiatives using data, technology and AI to improve assessment and decisions

Key requirements

• At least 10 years’ credit risk experience with deep SME real estate lending expertise
• Strong knowledge of real estate investment and development finance across residential, office, retail and industrial
• Experience with operational real estate (PBSA, BTR, co-living) or SME cashflow lending; fund-level lending valued
• Excellent financial analysis skills and ability to assess complex transactions, business plans, cashflows and valuations
• Proven independent credit judgement and ability to influence senior decisions
• Confidence leading Credit Committee discussions and engaging with customers and stakeholders
• Understanding of SME credit risk models and measures (RWA, PD, LGD)
• Experience with risk and control techniques, including covenants and portfolio risk management
• Commercial judgement balancing risk with backing ambitious businesses
• Clear communication, negotiation and stakeholder management in fast-moving environments

• strong communication
• stakeholder management
• ownership and accountability
• cashflow analysis
• valuation assessment (Red Book)
• debt capacity modelling

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