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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead underwriting for SME customers and shape credit strategy.
- Company: Join a rapidly scaling fintech platform making waves in the lending industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on lending performance and risk management in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in SME or commercial underwriting is essential, preferably in fintech.
- Other info: Opportunity to coach junior team members and contribute to innovative credit solutions.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We’re seeking a highly skilled and commercially minded Lead SME Underwriter to take ownership of underwriting processes across a rapidly scaling lending platform. You’ll be instrumental in shaping the credit strategy, driving high-quality credit decisions, and balancing risk with the needs of a fast-moving commercial environment. This is a rare opportunity to join a fintech scale-up at a key stage in its growth and have a direct impact on lending performance, risk appetite, and automation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end underwriting for SME customers, including reviewing financials, credit data, bank feeds, and behavioural insights to make informed decisions.
- Refine and apply the credit policy, ensuring decisions align with risk appetite and commercial strategy.
- Collaborate with Sales, Product, and Risk to ensure credit decisions are scalable, fast, and customer-friendly.
- Support development of automated underwriting models and contribute to data-led decisioning improvements.
- Manage exceptions and borderline cases, applying sound judgment in fast-paced scenarios.
- Monitor portfolio performance and suggest changes to policy or processes based on emerging trends.
- Act as the subject matter expert on SME credit, coaching junior underwriters or operations team members.
- Contribute to credit committee discussions and support investor/lender reporting where required.
Requirements:
- Proven experience in SME or commercial underwriting, ideally in a fintech, alternative lender, or challenger bank.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial statements, bank data, and credit reports.
Contact Detail:
InterQuest Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Underwriter - SME Lending
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in SME lending and fintech. Understanding the current market landscape will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the company.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fintech and underwriting sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities within their organisations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed underwriting processes in the past. Highlight your analytical skills and decision-making abilities, as these are crucial for the Lead Underwriter role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on regulatory changes affecting SME lending. Being knowledgeable about compliance issues will show that you are proactive and ready to tackle challenges in a fast-paced environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Underwriter - SME Lending
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in SME or commercial underwriting. Focus on your analytical skills and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to make informed credit decisions.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the fintech industry. Discuss how your background aligns with the responsibilities of leading underwriting processes and shaping credit strategies.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasise your strong analytical skills and experience with financial statements, credit data, and bank feeds. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed exceptions and borderline cases in previous roles.
Highlight Collaboration Experience: Mention any past experiences where you collaborated with sales, product, or risk teams. This will demonstrate your ability to work in a fast-paced environment and contribute to scalable, customer-friendly credit decisions.
How to prepare for a job interview at InterQuest Group
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Lead Underwriter, you'll need to demonstrate strong analytical abilities. Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've successfully interpreted financial statements or credit reports. Highlight how your analysis led to informed decision-making in previous roles.
✨Understand the Company’s Credit Strategy
Research the company's current credit policies and risk appetite. During the interview, articulate how your experience aligns with their strategy and how you can contribute to refining and applying these policies effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your judgment in fast-paced scenarios, especially regarding borderline cases. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific underwriting challenges, showcasing your ability to balance risk with commercial needs.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Collaboration is key in this role. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams, such as Sales or Product, to ensure scalable and customer-friendly credit decisions. This will show your ability to integrate with various departments.
