At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in assessing and underwriting secured loans for diverse businesses.
- Company: A dynamic SME lender focused on responsible finance and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, healthcare, and performance bonuses.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of lending while making a real impact on businesses.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK commercial secured lending and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Kent – hybrid working, 2 days in the office
The Business
Our client is a specialist SME / Commercial lender focused on responsible, relationship-led finance – a growing, stable, established, innovative and flexible business. They offer secured loans, with funds available for any credible business purpose.
Summary
You’ll join a collaborative team, with direct exposure to senior decision-makers, an opportunity to shape the evolution of the credit function as the business grows, as well as the satisfaction of providing real-economy lending with long term impact. Our client is looking for a motivated Senior Credit Underwriter with proven experience of underwriting UK commercial secured lending across a wide variety of sectors. This is a new role that will supervise a small team of underwriters assessing and processing secured term loans funding a wide variety of assets up to £10m. You will report to the Head of Credit and deputise for them, as well as working closely with the Credit Committee and ExCo in order to grow the business.
Role Overview
The Senior Credit Underwriter will be pivotal in maintaining the quality, consistency, and integrity of lending decisions. You will combine hands-on underwriting of secured term loans with leadership across complex cases, mentoring of underwriters and a meaningful input into the credit policy, and active engagement with the Credit Committee to drive sustainable portfolio growth. This is a senior, decision-led credit role with genuine influence over outcomes.
Core Underwriting Responsibilities
- Assess, structure, and underwrite secured term loan applications in line with lending policy and risk appetite
- Analyse borrower financial statements, cash flows, affordability, and sensitivity cases; produce clear, balanced credit recommendations
- Review and challenge valuations and legal security structures to ensure adequacy of collateral, priority and enforceability
- Produce high-quality credit papers using standard formats and templates
Senior & Leadership Responsibilities
- Operate within delegated credit authority, recommending loans and acting as a point of escalation to the Credit Committee on complex, higher-value or nonstandard transactions
- Provide guidance, coaching and quality assurance for Underwriters, including the proactive management of the pipeline, resolving issues swiftly and pragmatically
- Contribute to Credit Committee discussions and papers, including identifying mitigants and alternative structures
- Help refine lending criteria, sector guidance, and credit policy based on portfolio performance and market trends
- Partner with the Head of Credit to drive process improvements (efficiency, turnaround time, data quality) and deputise on reporting obligations and stakeholder meetings (including external funders, the ExCo and Board)
Essential Experience & Skills
- Proven experience underwriting UK commercial secured lending (can include bridging, term, specialist property and SME lending experience however pure property finance experience won't be suitable)
- In depth understanding of financial statements, cash flow/serviceability, and credit risk; ability to stress test and articulate sensitivities
- Experience reviewing valuations and legal security, with sound understanding of priority, LTV, covenants, and enforcement
- Ability to produce, clear, well-reasoned written credit recommendations and communicate decisions credibly.
- High attention to detail, organisation, and the ability to manage multiple cases concurrently in a decisive and commercially astute manner
- Ability to develop strong working relationships with all stakeholders
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
Desirable Experience & Skills
- Participation in or preparation for Credit Committee discussions
- Experience mentoring or providing QA for Underwriters
- Familiarity with loan origination systems and data/reporting best practice
Salary is competitive, dependent on skills, experience, and knowledge; benefits include pension, healthcare and bonus.
There’s lots more to tell! Please apply with your CV and / or contact to schedule an initial conversation and receive a full job description.
Senior Credit Underwriter - Commercial Lending in London employer: Chamberlain Career Management
Join a leading specialist bank in London, where you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises personal and professional growth. As the Head of Portfolio Management, you will benefit from competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to shape the future of real estate finance while working alongside a dedicated team committed to excellence and innovation.
Contact Details:
Chamberlain Career Management Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Credit Underwriter - Commercial Lending in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who work in commercial lending. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your underwriting knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with secured lending and how you've tackled complex cases. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! If you've mentored underwriters before, share those experiences during interviews. Highlight how you’ve contributed to team success and improved processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Credit Underwriter - Commercial Lending in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your underwriting experience and any relevant achievements to show us you're the right fit for the Senior Credit Underwriter role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about commercial lending and how your background aligns with our values. Share specific examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to assess and structure secured loans.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves analysing financial statements and cash flows, make sure to mention any relevant experience you have in these areas. We want to see how you approach complex cases and your ability to produce clear credit recommendations.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quicker. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chamberlain Career Management
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Credit Underwriter, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial statements and cash flows. Brush up on your ability to analyse these documents and be ready to discuss how you assess affordability and risk in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves supervising a small team, be prepared to share examples of how you've mentored others or led projects. Highlight your experience in providing guidance and quality assurance to underwriters, as this will show your capability to lead effectively.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about underwriting processes, credit policies, and risk assessment. Familiarise yourself with the specific lending criteria and sector guidance relevant to the company. Being able to articulate your thought process during complex cases will set you apart.
✨Engage with the Business's Vision
Understand the company's focus on responsible, relationship-led finance. Be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of providing impactful lending solutions. This shows you're not just looking for a job, but a partnership.
