Head of Underwriting (Underwriting Manager/Credit Operations Manager)
Overview: YouLend is a rapidly growing FinTech that provides an embedded financing platform for e-commerce platforms, tech companies, and Payment Service Providers. Our software enables partners to offer flexible financing products in their own branding, to their merchant base, without capital at risk. We are backed by EQT and have grown +100% year-on-year since 2020. We are headquartered in London, UK, with presence across several European countries and the United States, serving partners including eBay, Amazon, Just Eat, Shopify, and Stripe.
The Role
You will work closely with the Head of European Operations to unite the decision-making and operational arm of our European Production Line. In this leadership role, you will oversee our underwriting teams in seven European markets (Netherlands, Belgium, France, Poland, Spain, Ireland, and Germany) and drive strategic projects to enhance lending processes and capabilities. You will lead a team of ~30 FTEs including managers reporting into you.
* Credit Eligibility: Responsible for conducting eligibility checks and preparing the deal for underwriting.
* Credit Decisions: Underwriting and KYC/KYB teams responsible for making lending decisions.
Your primary objective is to ensure that our European Production Line efficiently processes merchant funding applications while maintaining high-quality standards and low loss rates. The role requires strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, and excellent people skills to communicate changes. The candidate should be able to work independently and proactively.
This role focuses on improving outcomes, processes, and efficiencies across underwriting teams. You will work with stakeholders in Credit Risk, Compliance, and Product to implement policies that achieve a good risk-return trade-off and ensure compliance with local regulations.
Requirements
The ideal candidate will have the following skillset:
* A strong track record of managing people (ideally +15) and mentoring direct reports.
* 2+ years experience at a high-growth fintech, bank, or top strategy consulting firm. Exposure to SME lending in continental Europe is a plus: preferably cash advances.
* Project management experience in fast-paced environments like start-ups or scale-ups.
* Strong problem solving, analytical, and mass data manipulation (SQL, Python, R, etc.) experience.
* Hands-on, proactive, and capable of pushing projects forward, removing blockers, and delivering results.
* Successful track record of delivering against ambitious targets.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Excellent change management ability.
Why join YouLend?
* High-growth environment with strong upside in compensation and career progression.
* Supportive private equity backing and expansion through European markets.
* Part of Banking Circle Group with a fully licensed Luxembourg bank, enabling balance sheet support for expansion in regulated markets.
Motivating Work Environment
* High-quality team with direct feedback and aligned incentives.
* Transparent culture with strong teamwork and support.
* Independent work environment where results matter.
* Data-driven culture with emphasis on speed.
Compensation & Benefits
* Salary: Competitive market salary + bonus + equity.
* Stock options; Private medical insurance via Vitality; EAP with Health Assured; enhanced parental leave.
* Modern London office in Holborn with complimentary gym access; subsidised lunches; late-working Deliveroo allowance; in-office masseuse; team and company socials.
* Additional benefits and perks as part of the comprehensive package.
We champion diversity and embrace equal opportunity employment practices. Hiring, transfer, and promotion decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business requirements, free from discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, nationality, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Seniority level: Director | Employment type: Contract | Job function: Finance and Sales | Industries: Insurance
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