UK Commercial Lead / Country Manager – SME Finance

Overview

In this role you will spearhead the UK launch of Big Think Capital, building and leading the commercial operation from the ground up. You’ll shape the sales strategy and culture, and maintain hands-on involvement in client conversations and deal closure. The position blends entrepreneurial autonomy with the backing of an established US organisation, offering high-impact growth across UK SME and alternative finance markets. You will work closely with US leadership to align processes, staffing and market positioning, while expanding revenue streams and distribution channels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing business finance sales team
• Drive sales activity, pipeline management, conversion and revenue production
• Maintain hands-on involvement in client discussions, deal structuring and negotiations
• Establish performance expectations and foster accountability-focused culture
• Recruit, onboard, coach and develop sales talent
• Set training, performance management and KPI frameworks
• Support day-to-day development and operation of the UK office
• Help develop and execute the UK go-to-market strategy
• Build relationships with lending partners, referral sources and market stakeholders
• Understand UK alternative lending landscape and underwriting criteria
• Identify opportunities for new products, channels and revenue streams
• Collaborate with US leadership on processes, best practices, staffing and expansion
• Own wider commercial and operational priorities as the UK business scales

Key requirements

• Strong track record in sales leadership and building high-performing teams
• Credible hands-on sales experience with ability to close business
• Hands-on leadership with coaching and real-time support for salespeople
• Experience recruiting, training and developing sales talent
• Strong commercial judgment and ability to drive revenue
• Entrepreneurial mindset and enthusiasm for building a new operation
• Ability to adapt across multiple priorities as the business grows
• Ownership and accountability for commercial performance
• Ability to operate across immediate revenue goals and long-term growth priorities

• entrepreneurial mindset
• ownership and accountability
• strong commercial judgment
• deal structuring and negotiations
• pipeline management
• market analysis in UK SME lending

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