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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in assessing and processing secured loans for agricultural and rural borrowers.
- Company: Join a stable, innovative lender focused on responsible finance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, healthcare, and bonus opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of credit lending with real-world impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in UK commercial secured lending and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with direct exposure to senior decision-makers.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Kent – hybrid working, 2 days in the office
The Business
Our client is a specialist 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 for agricultural and rural borrowers, 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 and bridging loans for agricultural and rural borrowers, 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 and bridging 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
- Exposure to agricultural or rural lending and related asset/security nuances
- 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 in Maidstone employer: Chamberlain Career Management
Contact Detail:
Chamberlain Career Management Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Credit Underwriter in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those involved in 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 knowledge of UK commercial secured lending. Be ready to discuss your experience with agricultural and rural borrowers, as well as your approach to underwriting complex cases.
✨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 in Maidstone
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, especially in UK commercial secured lending, to show us you’re the right fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this position and how your background aligns with our values. Share specific examples of your past successes in underwriting and team leadership to grab our attention.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: Since this role requires high attention to detail, ensure your application is free from typos and errors. Present your information clearly and concisely, demonstrating your ability to produce high-quality credit papers.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status.
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. Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated complex financial scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves supervising a small team, so it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Think of specific instances where you've mentored others or led a project. Be prepared to discuss how you manage a pipeline and resolve issues, showcasing your proactive approach to team management.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with current trends in agricultural and rural lending. Research the nuances of the sector and be ready to discuss how these factors influence credit decisions. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable about underwriting but also about the broader context in which the business operates.
✨Prepare for Credit Committee Discussions
Since you'll be contributing to Credit Committee papers, practice articulating your credit recommendations clearly and confidently. Think about how you would present complex cases and the mitigants you would suggest. Being able to communicate your thought process effectively will set you apart as a candidate.