Head of Underwriting – BTL, Commercial & Bridging Finance
Shape Lending Strategy. Influence Decisions. Lead a High-Impact Function.
If you’re ready to step into a role where your underwriting expertise directly shapes lending strategy, portfolio performance, and business growth, this opportunity offers the platform to do exactly that. This is a pivotal leadership position within a well-funded, ambitious specialist lender where underwriting sits at the heart of commercial success.
About the Company
Our client is a UK lender operating within the specialist property finance space. Backed by a highly experienced leadership team, the business has been built to challenge traditional lending models through innovation in product design, credit strategy and customer delivery.
About the Role
As Head of Underwriting, you will take full ownership of the underwriting function across Buy-to-Let, Commercial and Bridging finance. This is a strategic leadership role with responsibility for credit quality, operational delivery, team development and policy governance.
You will lead, mentor and scale a high-performing underwriting team, ensuring consistent, commercially balanced decision-making aligned to risk appetite. Alongside this, you will work closely with senior stakeholders across credit, sales, risk and operations to refine underwriting frameworks and support continued lending growth.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and develop the underwriting function across BTL, Commercial and Bridging lending
* Set, implement and continuously refine underwriting standards, policy and risk appetite
* Make and oversee complex lending decisions, ensuring consistency and commercial alignment
* Manage and mentor underwriting managers and team members, driving performance and capability
* Work closely with sales, credit risk and senior leadership to support deal structuring and pipeline growth
* Monitor portfolio performance, identifying trends, risks and opportunities for improvement
* Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements, internal governance and audit standards
* Drive operational efficiency across underwriting processes, improving turnaround times and service delivery
* Act as a key stakeholder in strategic projects including product development and system enhancements
Package
* Competitive senior salary (tailored to experience)
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
* Flexible working arrangements
* Strong benefits package within a well-funded, stable environment
Skills & Experience
* Extensive experience in mortgage underwriting within specialist lending
* Proven leadership experience managing underwriting teams and functions
* Strong exposure to Buy-to-Let, Commercial and/or Bridging finance
* Deep understanding of UK lending regulations, credit risk and underwriting governance
* Demonstrable ability to balance commercial lending decisions with prudent risk management
* Experience contributing to or shaping underwriting policy and credit frameworks
* Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior level
* Highly analytical, with excellent judgement and decision-making capability
Why Apply
This is an opportunity to step into a role where you will actively shape the direction of a growing lender. You will have the autonomy to influence policy, build a best-in-class team and play a central role in scaling a specialist lending platform.