At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a high-performing underwriting team in a dynamic lending environment.
- Company: Join a well-established specialist lender with a strong market reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, generous leave, and health benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth in a commercially focused role.
- Why this job: Shape underwriting standards and influence credit policy while driving your career forward.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in property-backed lending and team leadership in regulated environments.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 € per year.
Strategic leadership role | Broad multi-product underwriting exposure | High-growth specialist lender | Strong long-term career potential
If you’re an experienced senior underwriter looking to step into a broader leadership position, this Head of Underwriting opportunity offers the chance to shape underwriting standards, influence credit policy, and lead a high-performing team within a growing specialist lender. You’ll work across property-backed lending, asset finance refinance, and wider asset-based lending in a commercially focused environment. This role combines hands-on underwriting with strategic oversight. You’ll have the autonomy to influence risk appetite, improve underwriting processes, and work closely with senior stakeholders across the business while remaining close to complex deal structuring and credit decisioning.
Package & Benefits
- Salary £90,000-£110,000 per annum.
- Annual performance-related bonus.
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell up to five days.
- 10% employer pension contribution.
- Private medical insurance, health cash plan and employee assistance programme.
- Electric car salary sacrifice scheme and additional retail and gym discounts.
About the Company
You’ll be joining a well-established specialist lender operating across multiple secured funding products for SMEs and entrepreneurs. The business has built a strong reputation within the market and continues to grow through a relationship-led, commercially pragmatic approach to lending.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, develop and support the underwriting team across a multi-product lending portfolio.
- Provide oversight to ensure lending decisions remain aligned to credit policy and risk appetite.
- Support the structuring and underwriting of complex lending proposals within your own mandate.
- Work closely with senior stakeholders to strengthen underwriting frameworks, processes and operational efficiency.
About You
- Strong underwriting experience within property-backed lending, asset finance refinance, or wider asset-based lending.
- Experience leading or developing underwriting teams within a regulated lending environment.
- Proven ability to structure commercially viable lending solutions while maintaining robust credit standards.
Head of Underwriting - Commercial Finance in Leeds employer: Fintelligent Search
As a leading specialist lender, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to excel. With a strong focus on professional development, we offer extensive growth opportunities and a competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and health benefits. Join us in a strategic leadership role where you can make a significant impact while enjoying the advantages of working in a high-growth environment dedicated to supporting SMEs and entrepreneurs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Underwriting - Commercial Finance in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and underwriting sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and showcase your expertise. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you've shaped underwriting standards and influenced credit policy in your previous roles. We want to see that you can lead a high-performing team!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your strategic thinking! When discussing your experience, highlight specific examples of how you've improved underwriting processes or worked closely with senior stakeholders. This will demonstrate your ability to operate at a higher level.
✨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 and engaged with our company.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Underwriting - Commercial Finance in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Underwriting role. Highlight your underwriting experience, leadership skills, and any relevant achievements in property-backed lending or asset finance.
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 strategic leadership position. Share specific examples of how you've influenced credit policy or improved underwriting processes in your previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:Since this role involves leading a high-performing team, make sure to convey your leadership style in your application. Talk about how you support and develop teams, and how you’ve successfully managed complex lending proposals in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get you one step closer to joining our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fintelligent Search
✨Know Your Underwriting Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your underwriting knowledge, especially in property-backed lending and asset finance. Be ready to discuss specific cases where you've successfully structured complex deals, as this will show your hands-on experience and strategic thinking.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led or developed underwriting teams in the past. Highlight your ability to influence credit policy and improve processes, as this role requires strong leadership in a high-performing environment.
✨Understand the Company’s Approach
Research the company’s reputation and their relationship-led approach to lending. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their growth while maintaining robust credit standards.
✨Engage with Senior Stakeholders
Think about how you would work closely with senior stakeholders to enhance underwriting frameworks. Prepare questions that demonstrate your interest in collaboration and operational efficiency, showing that you're ready to take on a strategic oversight role.
