At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the underwriting function and credit strategy for a growing fintech lender.
- Company: CapRelease, a logistics-embedded lender supporting eCommerce brands.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team poised for rapid scaling and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of lending while ensuring responsible growth and portfolio quality.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in SME lending or fintech with strong credit judgement.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Belfast (preferred) or UK/Ireland based (hybrid)
Reports to: CFO
Works with: Head of Finance & Portfolio
ABOUT CAPRELEASE
CapRelease is a logistics-embedded lender providing growth capital to eCommerce brands through their third-party logistics (3PL) partners. Backed by a £25m senior debt facility, an established underwriting framework and a proprietary technology platform, the business is transitioning from build phase to scale phase. As deployment accelerates, maintaining disciplined underwriting, portfolio quality and robust credit governance is critical to sustainable growth.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Head of Credit & Underwriting will lead CapRelease’s underwriting function and credit strategy, ensuring all lending decisions align with the company’s risk appetite, credit policy and lender requirements. This role is responsible for credit decisioning, underwriting governance and ongoing evolution of credit strategy as the loan book scales. The successful candidate will bring deep experience in SME lending, structured credit or fintech underwriting, and will play a key role in safeguarding portfolio quality while enabling responsible growth. Strategically, this role is positioned to evolve into a broader Chief Credit Officer function as CapRelease continues to scale its loan book and capital base.
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
- Credit decisions consistently align with risk appetite and lender requirements
- CapRelease maintains institutional-grade underwriting standards throughout its growth trajectory
- The credit function scales safely and efficiently alongside capital deployment
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead and manage the end-to-end underwriting function
- Review and approve credit applications within delegated authority
- Ensure underwriting decisions are consistent, disciplined and aligned with credit policy
- Maintain the quality and consistency of credit analysis and documentation
- Manage, mentor and develop underwriting team members
Credit Strategy & Risk Management
- Own and evolve CapRelease’s credit policy and risk appetite framework
- Define underwriting criteria, approval thresholds and exception processes
- Continuously refine credit decision frameworks based on portfolio performance data
- Balance risk and growth objectives in line with capital structure and strategic priorities
- Monitor approval quality and underwriting outcomes across all cohorts
Credit Committee Leadership
- Chair or lead Credit Committee discussions and decision-making
- Present credit recommendations with clear rationale and risk assessment
- Ensure all approvals meet internal risk standards and external facility requirements
- Maintain structured, documented approval processes with a clear audit trail
Portfolio Quality Oversight
- Monitor performance of underwritten loans and credit cohorts on an ongoing basis
- Review defaults, losses and recoveries to refine the underwriting approach
- Identify emerging credit risks and adjust strategy proactively
- Support risk mitigation efforts across the portfolio
Capital & Facility Alignment
- Ensure underwriting aligns with senior debt facility requirements and covenants
- Maintain discipline around eligibility criteria and advance rates
- Support borrowing base integrity through consistent and defensible credit decisioning
- Collaborate closely with the CFO and Head of Finance & Portfolio on facility optimisation
Process, Governance & Controls
- Maintain clear, documented credit policy and operating procedures
- Ensure appropriate segregation of duties between underwriting and portfolio reporting functions
- Support audit, lender and regulatory reviews relating to the credit function
- Drive operational efficiency and scalability across underwriting processes
Data, Models & Continuous Improvement
- Collaborate with data science and engineering teams to improve credit models and risk scoring
- Refine risk scoring methodologies using portfolio performance data
- Support automation of underwriting processes to increase speed and consistency
- Use data-driven insights to continuously enhance decisioning quality
EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND
- 7+ years’ experience in SME lending, fintech lending, structured credit or commercial lending
- Demonstrable underwriting experience with direct credit approval responsibility
- Experience working within institutional credit frameworks and governance structures
- Strong understanding of credit risk, portfolio management and lending structures
- Experience working with debt facilities, structured capital or warehouse funding arrangements
Highly Desirable
- Experience in fintech, revenue-based finance, MCA, asset-backed or inventory-backed lending
- Track record of scaling lending operations and growing a loan book
- Experience building and managing underwriting teams
- Proven ability to operate effectively in high-growth startup or scale-up environments
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Strong credit judgement and risk discipline
- Structured, analytical and detail-oriented
- Able to balance risk and growth objectives
- High integrity and strong governance mindset
- Comfortable in a scaling, fast-paced environment
- Strong communication and decision-making
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
Reports to: CFO
Works alongside: Head of Finance & Portfolio
Head of Credit & Underwriting in Belfast employer: CapRelease
CapRelease is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Belfast or across the UK/Ireland with a hybrid model that promotes work-life balance. Employees benefit from a culture of growth and innovation, with ample opportunities for professional development as the company scales its operations. Joining CapRelease means being part of a forward-thinking team that values disciplined credit governance while fostering a collaborative atmosphere, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the fintech space.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Credit & Underwriting in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and fintech sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers or colleagues. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching CapRelease and its credit strategy. Understand their risk appetite and how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to maintaining portfolio quality while enabling growth – they’ll love your proactive approach!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! If you’ve managed teams before, be sure to highlight this during interviews. CapRelease is looking for someone who can mentor and develop their underwriting team, so share examples of how you’ve successfully led others in the past.
✨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 being part of the CapRelease team. Let’s get you that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Credit & Underwriting in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Credit & Underwriting role. Highlight your experience in SME lending and structured credit, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant achievements that align with CapRelease’s goals.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention your understanding of credit risk and how you can contribute to maintaining high underwriting standards at CapRelease.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading the underwriting function, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've managed teams and driven strategic initiatives in previous roles to demonstrate your capability.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at CapRelease
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key metrics and performance indicators relevant to credit and underwriting. Brush up on your understanding of SME lending, structured credit, and how they apply to CapRelease’s operations. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the role but also understand the business.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As the Head of Credit & Underwriting, you’ll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you’ve managed and developed teams in the past. Highlight your experience in chairing discussions and making credit recommendations, as this will demonstrate your ability to lead the Credit Committee effectively.
✨Align with Company Values
Research CapRelease’s mission and values thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding risk management and governance. This will help you convey that you’re not just a fit for the role but also for the company culture.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your decision-making skills in credit risk situations. Think through potential challenges you might encounter in the role and how you would address them. This preparation will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
