Senior Underwriter - Real Estate Finance in Cardiff

My client is a Non-Bank Lender who provides complex bridging and development finance loans.

The Senior Underwriter will play a key role in assessing and underwriting new lending opportunities within a growing short-term property finance lender. Working closely with Relationship Managers and Business Development Managers, the Senior Underwriter will be responsible for reviewing, assessing and structuring new lending proposals, ensuring that decisions are aligned with the organisation’s credit policy, risk appetite and commercial objectives. This is a highly hands-on role, requiring strong technical underwriting skills, sound commercial judgement and the ability to make well-balanced credit decisions within delegated authority. The Senior Underwriter will also support the wider underwriting team by sharing knowledge, providing guidance and contributing to the ongoing improvement of credit processes and standards.

Responsibilities:

• Credit Underwriting: Review and assess new lending proposals, financial information and supporting documentation to determine creditworthiness and overall risk. Prepare and/or review credit papers, ensuring that key risks, mitigants and relevant information are clearly identified. Make credit decisions within delegated authority and provide clear recommendations for proposals requiring higher-level approval. Ensure all underwriting decisions are consistent with the organisation’s credit policy, risk appetite and underwriting standards.
• Deal Structuring: Work closely with Relationship Managers and Business Development Managers to structure loans appropriately. Assess loan-to-value, loan-to-cost, exit strategies, borrower strength, property and security, and other relevant risk factors. Identify appropriate risk mitigants and conditions precedent to ensure transactions are structured on a prudent and commercially viable basis. Challenge proposals where appropriate while maintaining a solutions-focused and commercially minded approach.
• Property & Credit Risk Assessment: Analyse property valuations, borrower financials, business plans, development appraisals and repayment strategies. Assess the quality and adequacy of proposed security and identify potential areas of risk. Demonstrate a strong understanding of property-backed lending and the key risks associated with bridging and development finance. Identify emerging risks or areas requiring further investigation before approval.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Build effective working relationships with Relationship Managers, Business Development Managers, Legal, Operations and other internal stakeholders. Provide clear, constructive and timely feedback on lending proposals. Support the business in delivering a high level of customer service while maintaining robust credit standards.
• Portfolio & Credit Monitoring: Support the monitoring of existing exposures and identify potential emerging credit risks. Review relevant portfolio information and contribute to discussions around risk, arrears, extensions and exits where required. Escalate material concerns promptly and appropriately.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of underwriting processes and credit standards. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, decision quality and turnaround times. Share knowledge and provide support to less experienced members of the underwriting team.

Skills & Experience:

• Significant experience in bridging finance and/or development finance, underwriting or credit risk, ideally within a principal lender, bank or specialist property finance business.
• Strong understanding of short-term property lending, with exposure to development finance highly desirable.
• Proven experience underwriting property-backed lending transactions from initial assessment through to credit approval.
• Strong understanding of loan structuring, LTV/LTC analysis, property valuation, security and exit strategies.
• Ability to assess borrower strength, financial information and property-related risks and reach balanced, commercially sound credit decisions.
• Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail and sound financial acumen.
• Ability to challenge proposals constructively and identify appropriate risk mitigants.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate and justify credit decisions.
• Comfortable working within delegated authority and escalating matters appropriately where required.
• Experience supporting or mentoring junior underwriters would be advantageous.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial lending environment where responsiveness and customer service are important.

Salary: up to £80k, depending on experience

Location: Cardiff