Who is Charity Bank?

Charity Bank is a savings and loans bank with a mission to use money for good. We use the money our savers entrust to us to make loans to charities, social enterprises and organisations with charitable purposes. Our community of borrowers, savers, shareholders and staff are all working towards one goal – helping to create lasting social change in our communities. If you believe that banks have a vital role to play in creating a world, we all want to live in and you want to live your values at work, apply for this vacancy today.

Charity Bank Recruitment Process

At Charity Bank, we prioritise inclusion and fairness in our recruitment process. Our use of recruitment software helps mitigate unconscious bias by incorporating skill-based questions alongside CVs. Responses and CVs are anonymised and reviewed in random order by our hiring team to ensure an equal chance for all candidates, regardless of background. Demographic questions are strictly for statistical purposes, ensuring a balanced candidate pool. Opting out of these questions is an option.

We review all applications within two weeks after the closing date, so expect feedback shortly thereafter. If you require reasonable adjustments during the application process, please email us at recruitment@charitybank.org.

Four-Day Week with Full-Time Pay 

Charity Bank's Four-Day Week initiative, open to all employees from day one, champions work-life balance by providing four days of work with full-time pay. This innovative approach underscores productivity, equal compensation, and the creation of an inclusive workplace in line with Charity Bank's social mission. The 32-hour workweek typically spans four eight-hour days, offering flexibility to typically choose Friday or Monday as the day off. Days off are protected and treated like weekends, ensuring uninterrupted personal time. The arrangement is flexible, adapting to part-time employees on a pro rata basis. 

JOB PROFILE

Job Title:                      Credit Manager

Contract:                      Permanent, Full-Time (part-time and flexible working considered)

Location:                      Office base, Tonbridge (hybrid and remote working available)

Responsible to:          Credit Controllers

Direct reports:            None

Date:                             March 2024

Overall Purpose of the Role

Provide support to the Director of Credit and Credit Controllers in the management, review, investigation, documentation and minimising of credit and legal risks associated with loans made by the bank in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements, and the bank’s operating policies and procedures.

 This role will have particular focus on reviewing and managing property development finance deals for the bank.

You will be responsible for collaborating with colleagues in Impact Lending and Lending Services to analyse credit applications to identify risks and mitigants and to be able to articulate both orally and in writing your recommendation to approve or decline a proposal. You will be involved with structuring and negotiating loan conditions, support in the documentation of loan agreements and provide support where required to reduce risks to the bank and optimise the borrower experience. The role will challenge your critical thinking skills and require you to be inquisitive, practical, and initiative-taking to reach lending decisions that mitigate risk to the bank but assist borrowers in achieving their mission.

 Dimensions of the Role

 Key Contacts:

·       Internal: Credit, Lending Services, Impact Lending, Social Impact Investment Solutions, and Finance.

·       Externally: borrowers, legal, accounting and property professionals.

 Key Accountabilities:

·       Review and assess credit applications, identify and, where possible, mitigate key risks by appropriate structuring of the loan including the setting of loan conditions and financial covenants, with particular focus on property development finance deals.

·       Approve loan drawdowns, valuations and where applicable, satisfaction of conditions precedent.

·       Ensure that credit applications adhere to Credit Risk Policy and follow Credit Procedures guidelines, flagging and addressing where any deviation arises.

·       Where necessary, producing reports that are concise, accurate, insightful, and relevant to aid the delegated authority in assessing credit applications.

·       Support the Credit team in the review and active management of the higher risk accounts (designated Out of Order, Full Watch List, and Internal Watch List) to protect the bank and minimise potential loan losses. Assist in the reporting and review of accounts for the Quarterly Watch List meeting.

·       Collaborating with Key Contacts to respond to any enquiries that may arise during the credit life cycle, to provide considered responses that uphold the highest level of customer service whilst mitigating risks.

·       Process variations and amendments in loan terms and conditions requested by Impact Lending or required by Credit.

·       Represent Credit in external borrower meetings with other lenders, accountants and lawyers as required.

·       Participate in internal meetings and discussions with the bank’s senior management and committees regarding credit related matters as required.

·       Assist in the compilation and distribution of papers for committees and the taking of minutes when required.

·       Support the Credit team with administrative and other tasks.

·       Provide training and advice on property development finance to members of Credit, Impact Lending and Lending Services teams as required.

·       Adopt an initiative-taking role and assist/support other co-workers when required.

·       Ensure the credit process adheres to TCF principles.

·       Contribute to continued evolvement in the quality of credit applications and process efficiencies.

PERSON PROFILE

Experience

Essential

• Minimum 5 years of SME lending experience (within banking or credit department) within a bank or other lending organisation in the UK; AND

• Minimum 3 years property development finance experience including associated documentation in the UK.

• Analytical skills including critical review of annual reports and management accounts, budgets, and business plans;

Desirable

• Knowledge/experience of lending to UK charities and social sector organisations.

• Knowledge/experience of UK syndicated lending and associated documentation.

• Knowledge/experience of the UK voluntary sector.

• Knowledge of UK company law, charity law and the taking of all types of security.

Attainments

• Good standard of Maths and English

• Computer literacy particularly Word and Excel

  Special Aptitudes

  Essential

• A team player with strong people skills, able to communicate and work effectively with all levels of staff, borrowers, and professional advisers.

• Excellent communicator – both orally and written

• Strong organisational skills, excellent at prioritising and managing own time.

• Ability to work on own initiative.

• Highly numerate and analytical

• Excellent attention to detail

• Flexibility and adaptability

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

• Pragmatic whilst maintaining credit standards.

  Desirable

• Financial modelling skills

• Data management

• Empathy for the bank’s mission and values

  Disposition

• Supports the principles of equality of opportunity, showing respect for diversity & differences.

  Thinking Style

• Shows a high degree of personal integrity; quickly engenders trust with staff and peers.

• Flexible in style and approach, able to adapt to new situations requiring new skills.

• Driven, tenacious and solutions focused.