Kensington Mortgages | Mortgage Underwriter

Location: Remote (We can only consider candidates based in the UK and with the right to work in the UK at this time)

Working Hours: Full Time (Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:30)

Start Date – 28th April 2025 – We would ask no long holidays during first 6 weeks

Salary: Competitive with a fantastic range of benefits which can be found

Careers | Kensington Mortgages

Overall Purpose of Job

The Underwriter is responsible for underwriting mortgage applications in accordance with the Lending policy, TCF principles and FCA responsible lending best practice. It is expected they will maintain a high level of relevant industry knowledge and always apply the highest standards of risk-based underwriting.

The relationship and communications with our brokers and other areas of the business is fundamental to the delivery of a seamless service.

Key Accountabilities

• Manually Underwrite and approve Residential and Buy to Let mortgage applications in accordance with the lending policy and within authorised mandate whilst adhering to all quality and service measures.
• Recommend any cases outside mandate to the management team and ensure all cases hold a robust documented rationale for the lending decision.
• Ensure all correspondence including references and valuations are in line with lending policy and the appropriate mortgage product.
• Create strong relationships with brokers, calling to discuss initial applications and by providing clear and detailed updates throughout the application.
• Support Operations in ongoing UAT.
• Act fairly and reasonably in line with TCF and responsible lending principles in all dealings with intermediaries, solicitors and valuers.
• Ensure that all ESIS\’ produced are accurate and compliant
• Build a close working relationship with key areas of the business to enhance the process from a system, service and quality perspective.
• To work closely with the Completions team to create an effective and efficient unit to maximise productivity
• To comply with the Code of Business Ethics and ensure your responsibilities regarding the Prevention of Financial Crime (including money laundering, identification and reporting of fraud) are carried out effectively and in accordance with the Company\’s internal policies.
• Ensure that all complaints are handled in line with the Complaints Handling Procedures. Identify improvements to performance and the process, working with managers and other areas of the business.
• Undertake adhoc project work as directed by Underwriting Technical Manager or Head of Lending. Flexibility to assist the wider business as and when required in other roles

Experience, Knowledge, Skills

• Experience in Prime and Specialist lending as an Underwriter holding a mandate of £200k minimum for a minimum of 2 years.
• Ability to coach other members of the Operations Team
• Strong communication skills to discuss applications with brokers
• To always act with integrity and embrace the philosophy of treating our customers fairly
• Detailed understanding of the mortgage intermediary market and related FCA permissions.
• Detailed understanding of organised fraud and measures/systems in place to avoid it.
• Able to demonstrate that they are proactive, hardworking, flexible and able to work under own initiative but also a team player.
• Demonstrate a full understanding of responsible lending and regulatory knowledge applicable to the role. Able to prioritise effectively to manage multiple underwriting functions

Other skills or qualifications that would be helpful

• Recent experience in Niche Buy to Let Lending, including HMOs, Light refurbishment and Multi Unit properties.
• Second Charge lending
• CeMAP qualified

Why Join Kensington Mortgages

Our employees are critical to our success. We work hard to ensure that Kensington Mortgages is a great place to work. We recognise the difference it makes to our business when people challenge themselves and take advantage of the development opportunities available, so we try and support everyone however we can.

We also recognise the fact that people seek work life balance and continuously develop our benefits offering to create an inclusive and supportive culture where differences that exist between us all are recognised, understood and valued.

We are an inclusive and equal opportunity employer that values diversity. This means we respect and embrace differences in gender, identity, race, ethnic origin, sexual expression and orientation, religion, faith, age, marital status, disability, neurodiversity, social background, education and way of thinking. We are a place where you can be you.

As a reputable employer regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, all offers of employment for this role are subject to a series of background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks.