About the Company
My client is a fast-growing alternative lender providing flexible working capital solutions to SMEs. With an established international footprint, they are now building out their UK credit function and are seeking their first Underwriter in the region.
This is a genuinely foundational role, offering the opportunity to build the UK underwriting and credit framework from scratch, while playing a key role in shaping long-term portfolio performance.
About the Role
My client is looking for a highly experienced and commercially astute Senior Underwriter to take full ownership of underwriting in the UK. Initially, this individual will operate as the sole underwriter, managing the full pipeline of applications (with an initial oversight period), while also being responsible for building out credit policy, underwriting guidelines, and compliance frameworks. As the business scales, this role will naturally evolve into a team leadership position, including managing and developing junior underwriters.
Responsibilities
Credit Ownership & Underwriting
* Act as the sole UK underwriter, processing and decisioning all applications
* Assess SME lending opportunities using bank statements, cash flow analysis, and trading performance
* Make balanced, commercially sound credit decisions aligned with growth objectives
Framework & Policy Development
* Build and implement UK credit policy, underwriting guidelines, and risk frameworks
* Contribute to the development of compliance standards and governance processes
* Establish scalable underwriting processes to support future growth
Deal Structuring
* Structure SME facilities across a range of lending products
* Work across multiple forms of security, including personal guarantees and asset-backed structures
* Evaluate affordability and risk across a broad range of borrower types
Operational & Strategic Contribution
* Own the end-to-end underwriting workflow
* Work closely with commercial teams to ensure efficient deal execution
* Provide insight into portfolio performance and credit strategy
Team Build-Out
* Support the hiring and onboarding of additional underwriters
* Manage and develop junior team members as the function grows
* Act as a key cultural and technical anchor within the UK team
Qualifications
My client is looking for someone who can combine deep underwriting expertise with a builder mindset:
Required Skills
* Strong background in SME / business loans underwriting
* Proven experience underwriting smaller-ticket, higher-volume lending
* Exposure to a broad range of lending structures and security types
* Background in alternative lending, fintech, or specialist finance preferred
Preferred Skills
* Deep understanding of cash-flow-based underwriting
* Strong bank statement analysis capability
* Ability to structure deals across varying risk profiles and collateral types
This is a rare opportunity to take on a first-in-market underwriting role with genuine influence. The successful candidate will:
* Build the UK credit and underwriting function from the ground up
* Play a central role in shaping risk appetite and portfolio performance
* Progress into a leadership role as the team scales
* Be directly incentivised on the long-term success of the business