At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead UK underwriting, assess SME lending opportunities, and develop credit policies.
- Company: Fast-growing alternative lender with a focus on flexible working capital solutions for SMEs.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the UK credit function and progress into a leadership role.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and play a key role in shaping the future of the business.
- Why this job: Be a pioneer in building a new underwriting framework and influence long-term portfolio success.
- Qualifications: Strong background in SME underwriting and experience with diverse lending structures.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the Company
My client is a fast-growing alternative lender providing flexible working capital solutions to SMEs. With an established international footprint, they are now building out their UK credit function and are seeking their first Underwriter in the region. This is a genuinely foundational role, offering the opportunity to build the UK underwriting and credit framework from scratch, while playing a key role in shaping long-term portfolio performance.
About the Role
My client is looking for a highly experienced and commercially astute Senior Underwriter to take full ownership of underwriting in the UK. Initially, this individual will operate as the sole underwriter, managing the full pipeline of applications (with an initial oversight period), while also being responsible for building out credit policy, underwriting guidelines, and compliance frameworks. As the business scales, this role will naturally evolve into a team leadership position, including managing and developing junior underwriters.
Responsibilities
- Credit Ownership & Underwriting
- Act as the sole UK underwriter, processing and decisioning all applications
- Assess SME lending opportunities using bank statements, cash flow analysis, and trading performance
- Make balanced, commercially sound credit decisions aligned with growth objectives
- Framework & Policy Development
- Build and implement UK credit policy, underwriting guidelines, and risk frameworks
- Contribute to the development of compliance standards and governance processes
- Establish scalable underwriting processes to support future growth
- Deal Structuring
- Structure SME facilities across a range of lending products
- Work across multiple forms of security, including personal guarantees and asset-backed structures
- Evaluate affordability and risk across a broad range of borrower types
- Operational & Strategic Contribution
- Own the end-to-end underwriting workflow
- Work closely with commercial teams to ensure efficient deal execution
- Provide insight into portfolio performance and credit strategy
- Team Build-Out
- Support the hiring and onboarding of additional underwriters
- Manage and develop junior team members as the function grows
- Act as a key cultural and technical anchor within the UK team
Qualifications
My client is looking for someone who can combine deep underwriting expertise with a builder mindset:
Required Skills
- Strong background in SME / business loans underwriting
- Proven experience underwriting smaller-ticket, higher-volume lending
- Exposure to a broad range of lending structures and security types
- Background in alternative lending, fintech, or specialist finance preferred
Preferred Skills
- Deep understanding of cash-flow-based underwriting
- Strong bank statement analysis capability
- Ability to structure deals across varying risk profiles and collateral types
This is a rare opportunity to take on a first-in-market underwriting role with genuine influence. The successful candidate will:
- Build the UK credit and underwriting function from the ground up
- Play a central role in shaping risk appetite and portfolio performance
- Progress into a leadership role as the team scales
- Be directly incentivised on the long-term success of the business
Senior Business Loans Underwriter in Warrington employer: Fintellect Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Fintellect Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Loans Underwriter in Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local finance events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their lending products and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your underwriting expertise and how you can contribute to building their UK credit function. Confidence is key, so rehearse your answers to common interview questions.
✨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 Business Loans Underwriter in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Business Loans Underwriter. Highlight your experience in SME lending and any relevant underwriting expertise. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
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 foundational role. Share your vision for building the UK credit function and how you can contribute to our growth.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Provide examples of how you've successfully managed underwriting processes or developed credit policies in the past. We love seeing real-world applications of your expertise.
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 Fintellect Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Business Loans Underwriter, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in cash flow analysis and bank statement evaluation. Brush up on these skills before the interview, and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used them to make sound credit decisions.
✨Showcase Your Builder Mindset
This role is all about building the UK underwriting function from scratch. Be prepared to share your thoughts on what a successful credit policy looks like and how you would approach developing scalable underwriting processes. Highlight any past experiences where you've successfully built or improved frameworks.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with the alternative lending landscape, especially in the UK. Research current trends, challenges, and opportunities within SME lending. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their growth objectives.
✨Prepare for Team Dynamics
Since this role will evolve into a leadership position, think about how you would manage and develop junior underwriters. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, and be ready to discuss your approach to fostering a positive team culture as the function grows.