Underwriting Team Lead in London
Underwriting Team Lead

Underwriting Team Lead in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and inspire a team of underwriters to achieve performance targets and ensure quality outcomes.
  • Company: Join Abound, a fast-growing fintech redefining consumer lending with innovative technology.
  • Benefits: Equity ownership, hybrid work, generous holiday, paid volunteering days, and wellness budget.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of underwriting while driving innovation in a dynamic fintech environment.
  • Qualifications: 2+ years in a Senior Underwriting or Team Lead role with strong leadership skills.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement and professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

About Abound

We are redefining consumer lending in the UK, and beyond. Using advanced AI and Open Banking data, we make fair, affordable personal finance available to more people. While traditional lenders rely almost entirely on credit scores, we look at the full financial picture - how much you spend, and what you can afford to repay to build a deeper, more accurate understanding of each customer's unique financial situation. We have issued over £1.3bn in loans directly to customers while delivering market-leading credit performance - for every 10 defaults the industry expects, we see only 3. We also reached profitability just 2.5 years after launch. Backed by £2bn+ of funding from top-tier investors including Citi, GSR Ventures, and Deutsche Bank, we are recognised as one of Europe's fastest-growing fintechs. Now, we are expanding into new markets and product lines - and we are looking for ambitious people who want to learn fast, take ownership, and grow with us.

About The Role

As Underwriting Team Lead, you will play a pivotal role in driving Fintern's underwriting performance and operational excellence. Leading a team of skilled underwriters, you will inspire a culture of high achievement, precision, and continuous improvement — ensuring every decision upholds Fintern's standards of fairness, quality, and customer care. This is a dynamic leadership position that demands drive, innovation, and adaptability. You will be responsible for delivering against ambitious performance targets, overseeing underwriting quality, and ensuring team efficiency across day-to-day operations. You will lead from the front — setting clear expectations, mentoring your team, and empowering them to consistently deliver strong results. Collaboration will be key. You will work closely with senior stakeholders to refine our underwriting strategies, enhance decision frameworks, and introduce innovative solutions that improve accuracy, scalability, and customer outcomes. You will bring analytical rigor, sound judgment, and a proactive approach to every challenge.

At Abound, we believe excellence should be recognised and rewarded. Outstanding performance in this role is supported by a competitive bonus and incentive structure, designed to celebrate individuals and teams who consistently meet or exceed targets. In this position, you will not only guide a high-performing team but also help shape the future of our underwriting function — driving innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth in a fast-paced fintech environment.

How We Work

  • Shift pattern work covering 8am to 8pm
  • Some Saturday and bank holiday working

What You Will Be Doing

  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of up to 10 underwriters, setting clear goals and expectations.
  • Drive team performance to achieve productivity, quality, and customer outcome targets.
  • Support the Head of Underwriting in strategic initiatives, onboarding, and departmental improvements.
  • Take ownership of escalated credit decisions and complaints, ensuring balanced, compliant, and fair outcomes.
  • Underwrite unsecured personal loan applications using cutting-edge decision technology.
  • Analyse Open Banking data to assess affordability and creditworthiness with precision.
  • Perform detailed fraud and AML checks in line with company policy.
  • Provide quality assurance feedback, conduct 1:1 reviews, and foster continuous professional growth.
  • Champion innovation by trialling new products, technologies, and underwriting approaches.
  • Collaborate across departments to drive alignment, efficiency, and operational excellence.

Who You Are

  • Minimum 2 years' experience in a Senior Underwriting or Team Lead role.
  • Proven ability to inspire, motivate, and develop others.
  • Demonstrated success in achieving performance targets within a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong understanding of credit policy, affordability assessment, and risk management.
  • Excellent communication, organisational, and time-management skills.
  • Resilient, adaptable, and proactive in navigating change.
  • Experience in near-prime lending or a fintech/start-up environment is advantageous.
  • A 'Customer First' mindset and a commitment to quality in every decision.

What We Offer

  • Everyone owns a piece of the company - equity.
  • Hybrid with 3 days a week in the office.
  • 25 days' holiday a year, plus 8 bank holidays.
  • 2 paid volunteering days per year.
  • One month paid sabbatical after 4 years.
  • Employee loan.
  • Free gym membership.
  • Team wellness budget to be active together - set up a yoga class, a tennis lesson or go bouldering.

Underwriting Team Lead in London employer: Abound

At Abound, we are not just redefining consumer lending; we are creating a vibrant work culture that prioritises innovation, collaboration, and personal growth. As an Underwriting Team Lead, you will benefit from a competitive bonus structure, equity ownership, and a supportive environment that encourages continuous professional development. With a hybrid working model and a focus on employee wellness, including gym memberships and volunteering opportunities, Abound is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the fintech industry.
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Contact Detail:

Abound Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Underwriting Team Lead in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fintech space, especially those at Abound. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by understanding Abound's mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our goals, especially around fairness and customer care. We love candidates who are passionate about what we do!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your leadership stories! As an Underwriting Team Lead, you'll need to demonstrate how you've inspired and developed teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your impact.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Abound.

We think you need these skills to ace Underwriting Team Lead in London

Leadership Skills
Coaching and Mentoring
Performance Management
Credit Policy Understanding
Affordability Assessment
Risk Management
Analytical Skills
Communication Skills
Organisational Skills
Time Management
Adaptability
Proactive Problem-Solving
Collaboration
Customer Focus

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about redefining consumer lending and making a difference in people's financial lives.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in underwriting and team leadership. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and drive performance, so share specific examples of how you've done this in the past.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. This helps us quickly see why you’d be a great fit for our team!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the Underwriting Team Lead position. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Abound

✨Know Your Numbers

As an Underwriting Team Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of credit policy and affordability assessment. Brush up on key metrics related to underwriting performance and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in the past.

✨Showcase Leadership Skills

This role requires you to inspire and develop a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams before, focusing on your coaching style and how you've motivated others to achieve targets. Highlight any specific initiatives you've implemented that improved team performance.

✨Emphasise Collaboration

Collaboration is key at Abound. Be prepared to discuss how you've worked with other departments to enhance operational efficiency. Think of examples where your teamwork led to innovative solutions or improved outcomes, especially in a fast-paced environment.

✨Demonstrate a Customer-First Mindset

Abound values a 'Customer First' approach. Share stories that illustrate your commitment to quality and fairness in decision-making. Discuss how you've handled escalated credit decisions or complaints while ensuring balanced outcomes for customers.

Underwriting Team Lead in London
Abound
Location: London
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  • Underwriting Team Lead in London

    London
    Full-Time
    36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.)
  • A

    Abound

    50-100
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