Business Unit:  Group Commercial – Business Network
Salary range: £40,800 – £51,000 per annum DOE + benefits 
Location:  Sector Agriculture Team – Scotland & England
Contract type:  2x Permanent Full Time

Our Team

Exciting opportunities exist within our Sector Agricultural Team Scotland & England right now.  Our Sector Agri team supports larger farming businesses across the UK and is looking to continue to grow its lending in the coming years. If you're passionate and ambitious about playing a key role in helping shape and grow our business, then please read on.

What you’ll be doing

• Be a key member of the Agri Sector team primarily accountable for assisting our Agri Directors in supporting customers and our business growth.
• Assist in the relationship management and sourcing of high-quality customers and strengthening the brand visibility in the local and regional marketplace whilst developing and expanding your own network of internal and external contacts
• Work with the Agri Directors evaluating and generating opportunities with existing and new customers and assist in the conversion thereof from initial meetings through to completion of new transactions including analysis of new business proposals and undertaking independent research on companies and sub-sectors
• Prepare credit applications in respect of existing customers and new proposals, including the preparation and analysis of financial models
• Instruct, complete and process internal and external documentation to ensure loan and security documentation is prepared and in order and due diligence is correctly scoped
• Provide new to bank customers with a seamless on-boarding experience, working collaboratively with colleagues across the business to support Agri Directors in managing and monitoring the portfolio, ensuring compliance on all credit, operations, loan administration and other risk and administrative matters as necessary
• Monitor ongoing compliance with the facility agreement and covenants, and ensuring that all pre-and post-deal housekeeping and internal compliance requirements are met
• Liaise effectively with customers, various Agency functions and Credit in respect of existing customer reviews and consent requests. 

We need you to have 

• A deep understanding of the farming/agriculture sector, especially on commercial farming.
• Strong knowledge of agriculture trends: economics, commodity cycles, sustainability (eg- net-zero, land management etc)
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical skills (including Excel financial modelling skills) with an ability to understand and interpret financial statements and due diligence reports.
• Strong organisational, relationship and project management skills to deliver excellent levels of customer service, high standards of work and outstanding attention to detail
• Capacity to cope with complex situations, tight deadlines and to have a flexible approach to challenges and problem solving
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to assimilate, understand and efficiently present information to various stakeholders to produce effective lending outcomes. 

It’s a bonus if you have but not essential

• A relevant vocational qualification is desirable, but not mandatory
• Knowledge of systems and processes in a business banking/ financial services environment
• A knowledge of lending and securities policy and procedures.
• Understanding of risk and compliance requirements in line with the role. 

Red Hot Rewards  

• 25 days holiday per year, increasing over time to 30. Plus, an option to buy more, giving you even more choice.
• Private medical insurance
• A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement
• Access to an annual performance-related bonus
• Training and development to help you progress your career
• A great selection of additional benefits through our flexible benefits scheme
• Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones
• Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year  

If we’re lucky to receive a lot of interest, we may close the advert early. Please ensure to submit your applications as soon as possible.  

Say hello to Virgin Money 

Virgin Money is so much more than just a bank. As part of the Nationwide group, together we're the UK's first full-service mutual bank serving millions of retail and business customers and all driven by our purpose; Banking but fairer, more rewarding and for the good of society. With us, you’ll be part of an organisation uniquely positioned to make a difference to the lives of customers, communities and broader society and embark on a collaborative, customer obsessed, and fun-filled career journey. Embrace the weekdays, enjoy fantastic perks, and make a meaningful positive difference. Time to discover what it means to be part of the first mutual full-service banking provider.  

Be yourself at Virgin Money 

At Virgin Money, we celebrate everyone. We have fun, think big, and relentlessly include each other, all in pursuit of our purpose: Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society.  We’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where colleagues feel safe and inspired to contribute, speak up and be heard.    

As a Disability Confident Leader, we're committed to removing any obstacles to inclusion.  If you need any reasonable adjustments or support making your application, contact our Talent Acquisition team careers@virginmoney.com

Please note: If we receive a high volume of eligible applications, we may need to prioritise candidates whose skills and experience most closely align with the role, while still ensuring fair and equitable consideration for all applicants.

Now the legal bit 
Although some of our roles allow you to be based anywhere in the UK, we'll need you to confirm you have the right to work in the UK. 

If you're successful in securing a role with us, there are some checks you need to complete before starting. These include credit and criminal record checks and three years' worth of satisfactory references. If the role is part of the Senior Manager Regime and Certification Regime, it requires enhanced pre-employment checks – we'll ask for six years of regulatory references, and once in the role, you'll be subject to periodic employment checks.