Managing Director - Financial Services

The role

We’re looking for a Managing Director to join our Financial Services team

The Managing Director of Financial Services (MD FS) is accountable for the overall leadership, performance, and regulatory integrity of the Financial Services (FS) division within a fast‑growing digital retail group. The role leads the end‑to‑end FS strategy, spanning operations, product, credit risk, and decision intelligence, while acting as Chair of the Irish FS entity. The MD FS is responsible for delivering sustainable commercial growth, balancing innovation and customer outcomes with robust risk management and regulatory compliance.

As a member of the Group’s senior leadership, the MD FS report to the Group CEO, and partners with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), and shareholders to translate Group ambitions into executable FS strategy, ensuring Financial Services is a core contributor to long‑term value creation.

What will you do as a Managing Director at N Brown?

Strategy & Commercial Leadership

*        Define and deliver the Financial Services strategy, aligned with Group purpose, growth ambitions, and capital priorities.

*        Lead the development of a scalable FS platform capable of supporting new products, propositions, and adjacent market opportunities.

*        Drive sustainable growth by expanding FS offerings to existing retail customers while unlocking new revenue streams beyond the core customer base.

*        Maintain clear strategic prioritisation across product innovation, risk appetite, technology investment, and customer value.

Financial Performance & Capital Management

*        Hold full P&L accountability for the FS division, including revenue growth, cost efficiency, and return on capital.

*        Oversee capital allocation and deployment, ensuring optimal use of balance sheet resources in line with risk appetite and regulatory requirements.

*        Secure strong forecasting, business planning, and performance management disciplines across the division.

Risk, Governance & Regulatory Accountability

*        Act as SMF18 holder, ensuring effective oversight of Financial Services governance, controls, and decision‑making.

*        Serve as PCF‑2a Non Executive Director, and PCF-3 Chair of the Irish FS entity, ensuring compliance with Central Bank of Ireland requirements and expectations.

*        Own the FS risk management framework, balancing commercial objectives with prudent credit, operational, and conduct risk controls.

*        Foster strong relationships with regulators, ensuring timely, transparent engagement and a track record of high‑quality regulatory outcomes.

*        Ensure the business consistently delivers fair customer outcomes, strong conduct standards, and regulatory compliance across jurisdictions.

Operations, Product & Decisioning

*        Lead FS operations to ensure scalable, efficient, and customer‑focused service delivery.

*        Provide strategic direction to FS product teams, ensuring customer‑centric design, disciplined product governance, and speed to market.

*        Oversee credit risk and decision intelligence, leveraging data, analytics, and technology to optimise customer outcomes, risk performance, and profitability.

*        Champion the use of advanced analytics, automation, and AI responsibly to strengthen credit decisioning, fraud prevention, and lifecycle management.

Leadership, Culture & Talent

*        Create a culture of responsibility, engagement, and innovation, embedding accountability and empowerment at all levels.

*        Build and develop a high‑performing FS leadership team with the capability to scale the business sustainably.

*        Act as a role model for ethical leadership, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

*        Ensure FS colleagues are equipped, motivated, and aligned to deliver great outcomes for customers and the Group.

Stakeholder & Board Engagement

*        Partner closely with the Group CEO, Operating Board, and shareholders to shape and execute strategy.

*        Provide clear, compelling insight into FS performance, risks, and opportunities at Board and Committee level.

*        Lead collaboration across Group functions (Technology, Retail, Finance, Legal, Compliance) to ensure joined‑up execution.

What skills and experience will you have?

Essential Experience

*        Proven senior leadership experience within Financial Services, ideally in a digitally enabled or consumer‑facing environment.

*        Demonstrated P&L ownership with experience scaling regulated financial products or platforms.

*        Strong understanding of UK and Irish regulatory frameworks, including experience operating in Senior Manager or Controlled Function roles.

*        Track record of balancing growth, innovation, and risk management in a regulated context.

Core Capabilities

*        Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and execution discipline.

*        Deep understanding of credit risk, financial products, and analytics‑driven decisioning.

*        Credible, confident leader with the presence to engage regulators, boards, and investors.

*        Able to operate effectively in complex, fast‑changing environments with incomplete information.

*        Strong values‑led leadership style with a focus on customers and long‑term value creation.

What’s in it for you?

*        Hybrid working  (2-3 days in the office at a minimum)

*        24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays)

*        Annual bonus scheme 

*        Enhanced maternity and adoption leave 

*        Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution 

*        Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services  

*        A range of financial wellbeing support  

*        Stream - a financial wellbeing tool that helps you track your pay, access earnings early and manage your money with confidence

*        Colleague discount across all N Brown brands 

*        Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts! 

*        Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance 

*        Paid volunteer time – all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice  

N Brown – who we are and why work for us?  

N Brown is a leading UK digital retail platform for clothing, footwear, home and technology, headquartered in Manchester and employing over 1,200 people nationwide. Through our strategic retail brands JD Williams, Jacamo and Simply Be and our unique payments offering, we exist to champion inclusivity and serve the underserved. Our customers are our passion, and we take great pride in delivering products that ensure they can look and feel amazing, without compromising on choice, value and accessibility. 

We’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by ‘championing inclusion, we’ll become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer’. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture.

In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we’re so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues!

Ways of Working

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you’re in. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we’re perfectly located, plus we’re surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat!

Our working hours are 36.17 per week and our core working hours are between 10am - 4pm. Given we don’t have strict working hours you can find the working pattern that’s right for you.

Our promise to you:

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Please know your application is being reviewed by a real human being, not AI. We value your interest in joining us and appreciate you taking the time to submit your application.

What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown?

As soon as we receive your application, we’ll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck!