Valuations Policy and Technical Manager in Watford

The purpose of this role is to be responsible for providing professional property expertise to support the business and our clients. Work closely with the Head of Valuations to form internal valuation policy and be responsible for external (broker/client and supplier) valuation literature. Act as a bridge between technical/specialist 3rd party suppliers and internal stakeholders. This includes carrying out internal valuation assessments and risk audits on origination valuations for Bridging, Development Finance and residential term loans, including owner occupied and BTL products. The role includes a requirement for field-based work and site visits sometimes at short notice. Responsible for drafting and maintaining valuation policy documents.

Key Accountabilities:

• Be responsible for maintaining accurate, up to date and relevant Valuer Guidance to include regular liaison with panel managers.
• Assist Head of Valuations with funder audits.
• Work closely with underwriting and credit risk teams to ensure valuation policy across all lending divisions is consistent with company risk appetite and funder requirements, including monitoring and training of underwriting teams.
• Work with external data/technology suppliers to ensure that West One valuation systems/databases are cost effective and fully maximised to deliver on business targets including accuracy and speed of delivery.
• Assist with processing Professional Negligence claims.
• Undertake site visits to include drive by valuation assessments to validate desktop/AVM valuations.
• Liaise with, and carry out audits of firms on the company’s valuation panel.
• Ensure valuation audit referrals are reviewed and returned to the underwriter within pre-agreed timeframes.
• Ensure cases undergo detailed reviews and are in line with current regulations.
• Provide feedback and opinion of value with supporting knowledge of case during meetings with senior management.
• Feed into front end criteria and setting of risk appetite.
• Identify higher risk loans and articulate to senior management opinion of where company exposure limits should be set at individual loan levels.
• Participate in training of other areas of the business in property related matters.
• Act as a subject matter expert and point of contact for underwriting divisions.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of RICS regulation and best practice having specific regard to valuation.
• Excellent knowledge of contemporary market conditions and policy.
• Fully competent using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong communication and negotiation skills both in written and verbal format.
• Able to think logically and coherently to effectively approach and solve problems that arise.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Ability to analyse and present complex information in a clear, relevant and interesting way.

Knowledge & Qualifications:

• Knowledge of property or property sales and have a working knowledge of carrying out loan security valuations.
• Up-to-date understanding of the rules and regulations imposed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
• Either an Associate or Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (AssocRICS or F/MRICS) or working towards.
• Hold a full driving licence and have full access to a vehicle.

Personal Attributes:

• Articulate.
• Flexible.
• Approachable.
• Have a pro-active approach and self-motivated.
• Able to work in a pressurised environment and manage priorities effectively.

Why Join Us? Alongside this, we offer a strong benefits package, including private medical healthcare, 25 days’ annual leave, paid volunteering days, and a host of additional benefits.