Retail Lending Director

Contract Role: Retail Lending Director

Contract Location: London Hybrid (2-3 days on-site)

Contract Duration: 6 months initially (with potential extension)

Contract Start Date: Immediate

Contract Classification: Inside IR35

Payroll provider: Rockford Payroll Info for Contingent Workers – Rockford Pay

We are seeking an experienced Retail Lending Director to lead a lending product business within a leading financial services institution.

This is an opportunity for a senior retail lending professional with an established track record in a high-street bank or retail financial services organisation to take ownership of a lending product business.

The ideal candidate will bring deep product knowledge, strong industry relationships and an understanding of the retail lending market. They will provide strategic leadership, oversee product operations and support business change and technology delivery at a senior level.

• Lead and oversee a retail lending product business, providing strategic direction and ensuring effective product management and operational delivery.

• Apply extensive knowledge of the retail lending market, industry trends, customer needs and the competitive landscape to inform product strategy.

• Oversee the transition of a lending product and its associated operations back in-house, supporting a smooth and effective transition.

• Work closely with senior stakeholders across Product, Operations, Technology and other business functions to deliver strategic priorities.

• Provide senior sponsorship and oversight of business change and technology delivery, managing escalations, risks and delivery dependencies.

• Build and maintain strong relationships across the retail lending industry, leveraging market knowledge and professional networks to support business objectives.

• Identify opportunities to improve product performance, customer outcomes and operational effectiveness.

• Provide executive-level guidance and decision-making on product strategy, business priorities and operational challenges.

• 20+ years of relevant professional experience, including substantial senior leadership experience within retail lending or retail financial services.

• Previous experience as a Retail Lending Director, Retail Banking Director, Lending Product Director or in a comparable senior product leadership role.

• Extensive experience within a high-street bank or established retail financial services organisation.

• Strong understanding of retail lending products, product strategy, market dynamics and the wider industry landscape.

• Proven experience owning, leading or overseeing a lending product business and its associated operations.

• Established industry relationships and the ability to draw on a strong professional network within retail lending.

• Experience providing senior sponsorship and oversight of business change and technology delivery, including stakeholder engagement and escalation management rather than hands-on technical delivery.

• Experience overseeing business transitions, operating model changes or bringing product operations in-house.

• Excellent senior stakeholder management, strategic decision-making and leadership skills.