Vice President - Early Stage Banking

Who is HSBC Innovation Banking?

HSBC Innovation Banking is the power behind the UK’s forward-thinkers, future-makers, and leap-takers, helping them ignite the bold ideas that reshape our world. We offer flexible banking solutions for start-ups, scale-ups, growth businesses, investors and those working towards IPO typically within the technology and life science sectors.

Whether it’s comprehensive banking, managing cashflow, plans for buyouts or Strategic Fund Solutions, we power ideas at every stage of their journey. From the first-time founders to the funds that back them, and everything in between. We're proud to accelerate growth for our clients, create meaningful connections and communities, and open a world of global opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

Here’s to never standing still. Come and join us!

The team you’ll work with:

The Early-Stage Banking team (ESB) is focused on originating and building deep, authentic client relationships with Pre-Seed to Series A founders across the UK.

The value you’ll add:

This role specifically focuses on the earliest stages of the market – pre-seed and seed – and is central to our strategy to build a strong portfolio of high-potential founders to drive growth for HSBC Innovation Banking.

This role is well suited to someone who is growth-driven and thrives in a client-facing environment. A pre-existing network would be helpful to success, whilst someone confident partnering with the early-stage ecosystem, taking over existing and building new relationships, and winning business from newly established contacts, are considered key to success.

You’ll play an important role in the origination and growth of the ESB portfolio by identifying and securing new client relationships, developing strategic partnerships, and championing early-stage innovation. You will be the face of HSBC Innovation Banking to the next generation of startups and VCs. You will be the first point of contact for many of the most exciting new startups in the UK, helping them access the banking and relationships they need to scale. You will be directly responsible for client satisfaction for the largest and highest potential clients in your portfolio.

What you can expect to be doing:

Originating and building strong relationships with pre-seed and seed-stage founders, investors, and ecosystem partners to develop a high-quality client portfolio

Take ownership of origination targets — this is an entrepreneurial sales and relationship-led role

Building and maintaining strong relationships with the investors and ecosystem partners who back early-stage founders – including angel syndicates, early-stage VCs, accelerators, incubators, university spin-outs, lawyers and accountants – to support origination efforts and expand market presence.

Representing HSBC Innovation Banking across the early-stage ecosystem — attending events and building visibility and trust in the market

Sharing insights from the early-stage market internally to inform strategy, and wider relationship management efforts

Taking ownership of broader team initiatives beyond day-to-day origination — whether that’s improving team processes or leading on ecosystem engagement projects

Requirements:

Knowledge of and exposure to the early-stage tech and lifescience ecosystem — whether directly, through startups, venture capital, accelerators, or innovation support organisations

Strong relationship-building skills, with a natural ability to connect with founders, investors, and ecosystem players

Entrepreneurial mindset - identifying opportunities and taking initiative to build from scratch

Commercially driven, with a proven ability to meet or exceed targets in a relationship-led or sales-focused environment

Confident communicator who can quickly build credibility with founders and internal stakeholders alike

Proactive and resourceful — able to take the lead on internal and external initiatives beyond the core role, and comfortable working in a team where everyone contributes beyond their remit

Where you’ll be based:

Our home office in Finsbury Square, London. We offer hybrid working to our employees, so you can flex between home and the office.

Being open to different points of view is important for our business and the communities we serve. At HSBC, we’re dedicated to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces - no matter their gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring careers at HSBC are inclusive and accessible for everyone to be at their best. We take pride in being a Disability Confident Leader and will offer an interview to people with disabilities, long term conditions or neurodivergent candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If you have a need that requires accommodations or changes during the recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Helpdesk:

Email: hsbc.recruitment@hsbc.com

Telephone: +44 207 832 8500