Relationship Manager, Real Estate Finance

The Relationship Manager is responsible for supporting the growth and optimisation of the real estate finance portfolio by implementing strategic objectives, evaluating lending propositions and managing credit risk in line with Bank guidelines. The role involves maintaining and expanding client relationships, developing annual marketing strategies, collaborating with internal departments to progress transactions, and staying informed about market and regulatory trends.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement strategic objectives to optimise fee and margin income and loan growth in line with annual budgets and targets agreed with the Head of Real Estate Finance, with a minimum target of a £20 million net increase in loans across the assigned portfolio each year.
• Professionally evaluate real estate lending propositions, exercising sound banking judgement to manage credit risk and achieve a satisfactory return in line with the Bank’s remuneration guidelines.
• Develop and implement an annual marketing strategy to maintain existing relationships and identify new business opportunities through direct contacts and intermediaries.
• Take primary responsibility for managing an average portfolio of 60 real estate clients.
• Provide cover for other Relationship Managers within Real Estate Finance when required.
• Assume overall responsibility for each client’s banking requirements within the assigned portfolio, ensuring a first-class professional service.
• Liaise with other departments, particularly the Credit Unit, to progress pipeline transactions through to completion.
• Keep up to date with trends and developments in the real estate finance market, the wider economy and the regulatory environment.
• Support junior colleagues in their day-to-day roles, providing advice, resolving problems and escalating issues to the Head of Real Estate Finance.
• Oversee the account-opening process, including reviewing and obtaining updated KYC documentation as required.
• Represent Real Estate Finance at internal meetings when required and undertake project work as needed.
• Authorise payment instructions in accordance with personal signature limits, up to £1,000,000.
• Identify and develop cross-selling opportunities across Private Banking, Home Loans and Retail, working collaboratively with colleagues to introduce clients to relevant products and services and deepen overall client relationships.

Compliance

• Comply with the Bank’s Conduct rules, as prescribed by the PRA and FCA including the most recent sixth conduct rule; “you must act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers.”
• Maintain ‘Fit & Proper’ status required to fulfil role as a Senior Manager/Certification employee (if relevant.)
• Comply with all relevant regulations as prescribed by the PRA and FCA including your role under the Bank’s undertaking to Operational Resilience.
• Comply with the Bank’s policies and procedures as laid out in the Employee Handbook, the intranet, and other sources.
• Manage all personal data and sensitive personal data in line with the General Data Protection Regulation and any associated Bank policies and procedures.
• Uphold the purpose, values, and behaviours of Alpha Bank London at all times.

Experience and Knowledge

• Proven experience in a real estate finance role within a financial institution.
• Wide-ranging knowledge of the UK real estate market, including residential and commercial investment and development markets.
• Degree-level education is desirable.
• A professional qualification such as ARICS and/or experience of property law would be advantageous.
• An ACIB qualification would be beneficial.

Key Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Excellent working knowledge of the full range of banking products, including deposits, treasury instruments, foreign exchange and other credit products.
• Strong analytical thinking when assessing the commercial viability of lending propositions.
• High personal impact, with the ability to influence others and reinforce expectations through personal example.
• Collaborative approach, valuing and using the skills and expertise of colleagues across the Bank and external partners.

At Alpha Bank London, our values shape everything we do:

• Innovation – Contribute ideas to improve processes and efficiency.
• Collaboration – Work closely with a supportive team to achieve shared goals.
• Excellence – Deliver accurate, high-quality work that makes a difference.
• Delivery – See the results of your efforts in real-time operations.
• Empowerment – Take ownership of your tasks and build skills for your career.