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Director, Head of Business Relationships Innovation Banking

London, United Kingdom

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Date live: 25/09/2025

Business Area: Specialist Coverage & Lending Operations

Area of Expertise: Relationship Management

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000069260

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Barclays Relationship Management

Join Relationship Management, to build and maintain relationships with customers, clients, stakeholders, and strategic partners. Your focus will be on driving business growth through effective relationship-building and delivering tailored solutions to meet client needs.

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Overall purpose of role

  • To be accountable for the delivery of successful end to end client outcomes through dynamic relationship management, insightful commercial knowledge, and the championing of our industry proposition to the Business Banking market and ensuring internal ‘suppliers’ deliver against their commitments / client journeys.
  • To be an influential and knowledgeable leader in the organisation, being passionate about and owning the clients within Innovation Banking. Inspire and develop colleagues to build the success of Business Banking by actively identifying opportunities, driving drive the growth agenda to become the trusted partner for growth, provide expert advice and access to partners and building the success of Business Banking across the market and across the 5 C’s. To have enterprise-wide knowledge and experience i.e. Channels, digital, corporate strategies, and incorporate it into customer propositions, as well as using it to develop team knowledge and business plans.
  • To act as an agent for change, to share ideas and work collaboratively with colleagues and specialist partners across Barclays’ portfolio of businesses to maximise market opportunity and promote the Barclays brand in the region. As a senior leader in the organisation, the expectation is that the role holder will authentically champion and demonstrate the Barclays Values and Leadership Capabilities, be an inspirational role model for colleagues across the organisation and effectively manage team costs and budget. The role holder will also support Relationship Managers in complex and senior external customer negotiations.

Key Accountabilities

  • Encourage and nurture innovation and creative thinking.  Develop a culture where change is embraced and new and existing technologies and innovations are viewed positively and adapted to suit market, where appropriate. 
  • Create a vision and a culture for the team that embraces the development and adoption of commercial and technological knowledge and potential ensuing change, the motivation to share this knowledge with others to support their development (commercial or personal), and the confidence to constructively challenge processes and ways of working that are no longer fit for purpose. 
  • Accountable for generating and driving all areas of performance of Business Banking within the region including the delivery of great client outcomes and growth of P&L (including Income, Debt and Deposit growth).
  • Actively grow market share within the industry through the identification and development of quality new business. Develop and implement an industry strategy alongside Corporate and Investment Bank colleagues to drive continued growth and deeper immersion in the market.
  • Constructively and positively challenge the status quo and, demonstrating broad, dynamic leadership and collaboration across the organisation, develop an integrated industry proposition to drive forward the Business Banking strategic agenda.
  • Oversee excellent control management through effective adherence to the Performance Framework and that business planning is integral to the approach of managing portfolio performance.
  • Work in partnership with Credit Risk to oversee an effective risk and reward balance avoiding unnecessary impairment which could negatively impact customer outcomes and the organisation’s reputation. Proactively manage all risk aspects including conduct and credit risk, ensuring the team is appropriately educated to understand and fully comply with the standards.

Stakeholder Management and Leadership

  • Develop a strong and effective internal network across all Barclays portfolios (UK, Savings, Investment and Wealth Management, Corporate and International) as well as developing an influential external commercial network along with current commercial and technological knowledge to develop innovative, integrated and collaborative business strategies and plans across all channels and segments that support current customer needs as well as planning for future opportunities and strategies.  Strong leadership skills and the ability to communicate to a complex and varied team will be critical to ensure success within the role.
  • Nurture and enhance senior external relationships in your industry to drive progression for their businesses through providing innovative and commercial market and technological insights, by mobilising internal and/or external networks to provide specialist knowledge and support as appropriate.  Work closely with Key Business Influencers in order to develop further effective micro-markets teams in the local communities thereby attaining greater customer outcomes. Role-model excellence in interactions with customers and colleagues alike meeting and exceeding their current needs, championing their growth, and inspiring them for their future development.
  • Decision-making and Problem Solving
  • Competently assess and interpret complex trends across the Business Banking customer base to enable insightful proposition build and aligned implementation. Understand the business, its drivers and sources of value and continually reprioritise to ensure the right focus and resource is aligned to value creation. Thoughtfully consider the short- and long-term impact of commercial decisions across a range a stakeholders and look both internally and externally for different perspectives to shape and drive innovation.

Purpose of the role

To manage relationship management initiatives and set the strategic direction. Provide support to the bank's senior management team, and to manage product development risk across the organisation. 

Accountabilities

  • Development of strategic direction for relationship management, including the implementation of up to date methodologies and processes.
  • Management of relationship management initiatives, including oversight of colleagues and their performance, implementation of departmental goals and objectives, oversight of department efficiency and effectiveness.  .
  • Relationship management of relationship management stakeholders, including identifying relevant stakeholders, and maintenance of the quality of external third party services.
  • Development and implementation of policies and procedures for relationship management.
  • Management of relationship management risk, including identification of potential risks, development of strategies to mitigate those risks, and maintenance of alignment between the bank’s relationship management and compliance functions.  .
  • Monitoring the financial performance of relationship management, including revenue, profitability, and cost control.
  • Conducting thorough market research to understand market trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory changes to identify market opportunities.

Director Expectations

  • To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
  • They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
  • Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
  • Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
  • Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
  • Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
  • Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
  • Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
  • Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
  • Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
  • Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
  • Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
  • Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
  • Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Supporting active commuters

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

Time to connect

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Wellbeing in focus

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Advanced trading floors

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more

Application Process

Your application

We’ll ask for information about you, your CV and cover letter.

1

Your assessment

Covering your behaviours and ability at work.

2

Your interview

Exploring your past experiences and skills.

3

Next step

We’ll request additional information so that you can complete our screening process

4
How to ApplyRead our FAQ's
Barclays

Working flexibly

We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognises and supports your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. If you'd like to explore flexible working arrangements, please discuss this with the hiring manager. Your request will be reviewed in-line with the requirements of the role/business needs of the team.

Hybrid working

We have a structured approach to hybrid working, where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days, as set by the business area. Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Barclays is built on an international scale.

Our geographic reach, our wide variety of functions, businesses, roles and locations reflect the rich diversity of our worldwide customer base. All of which means we offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience.
And the chance to learn from a globally diverse mix of colleagues, including some of the very best minds in banking, finance, technology and business. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to embrace mobility, exploring every part of our operations as you build your career.

Find more information

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Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more