Senior Director - Manufacturing & Defence Sector, 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.

At Nationwide we offer hybrid working wherever possible.

More rewarding relationships are supported through our hybrid approach, bringing colleagues together across our UK wide estate, whilst also supporting generous access to home working.

We value our time in the office to solve problems, to learn, and to feel connected.

For this role, you will be part of our growing Business Banking team, meeting with and supporting customers across your assigned region.

As such, you can be based anywhere in England, provided you are able to travel regularly to meet clients within your region.

Additionally, there will be a need to regularly connect with colleagues through collaboration events at one of our locations.

These are currently expected to take place monthly in Glasgow, London, Manchester or Northampton although locations may vary.

If your application is successful, your hiring manager will share further details on how this will work in practice.

You can also find out more about our approach to hybrid working here.

Virgin Money is now part of Nationwide

Nationwide acquired Virgin Money in October 2024.

Virgin Money continues to serve customers on the high street, and there will be a phased and considered integration over the coming years.

You’ll be employed by Nationwide from day one, delivering real impact and benefitting from a highly competitive range of benefits.

We’re a workplace where you’re rewarded, recognised and celebrated.

If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.