At a Glance
- Tasks: Assess and process mortgage applications while ensuring compliance and exceptional customer service.
- Company: Join Leek Building Society, a community-focused and award-winning employer.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, generous holiday, and comprehensive health support.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with continuous development opportunities and a focus on employee well-being.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in mortgage underwriting and strong decision-making skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 29668 - 29668 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid working with 5 days per fortnight in our Head Office (Leek, Staffordshire) and the remaining time remotely.
Employment type: Full-time, permanent position.
Salary: From £29,668
Working hours: 35 hours per week, worked flexibly.
Reports to: Underwriting Manager
The Organisation
At Leek Building Society, we pride ourselves on being a force for good. We exist to help our communities grow, so they can do great things today and even better things tomorrow. Our colleagues are one of the communities we support. We’ve created an inclusive, engaging workplace where colleagues have the freedom to be themselves and grow their careers. We’re proud to be an award winning employer, accredited as a ‘Great Place to Work’ based on our latest colleague survey, with a continued focus on helping everyone reach their potential.
Job Purpose & Scope
As a key member of the Mortgage Underwriting Team, the role is responsible for assessing and processing new mortgage and additional borrowing applications through to offer stage. This must be done in full compliance with the Society’s policies, procedures, and service level agreements, ensuring sound lending decisions that protect the Society’s interests. The role demands a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service while maintaining operational integrity and regulatory compliance. The job holder will also proactively identify and challenge existing processes to enhance customer experience and drive business efficiency.
Duties and Key Responsibilities
- Mortgage Underwriting
- Assess and underwrite mortgage and additional borrowing applications in line with product criteria, Responsible Lending Policy, and service standards.
- Review submitted documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and correct input into the Activate system.
- Provide clear, well-reasoned decisions to approve or decline applications, documenting rationale appropriately.
- Identify cases requiring referral to internal/external parties or escalation to higher mandate holders.
- Complete all required Mortgage Application Check Forms, applying relevant conditions, hold codes, and collateral codes.
- Recommend any cases outside mandate to the management team and ensure all cases hold a robust documented rationale for the lending decision.
- Communication
- Communicate promptly and professionally with intermediaries, customers, and colleagues to ensure efficient application processing and accurate information exchange.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to progress applications to offer stage within agreed timescales, proactively chasing outstanding items.
- Systems Management
- Support testing of new software releases on the Activate system, reporting issues and proposing solutions as needed.
- Maintain and update relevant sections of the Systems and Process Manuals.
- Ensure all systems are accurately updated following each interaction or decision point.
- Management Information (MI)
- Assist in the preparation and delivery of MI reports relevant to the underwriting function.
- Change & Continuous Improvement
- Support the implementation of new processes, procedures, and system updates.
- Actively contribute feedback and suggestions to improve operational efficiency and customer experience.
- Risk Management
- Identify and mitigate risks within the underwriting process, ensuring all risk events are recorded in accordance with policy.
- General Duties
- Perform any other reasonable duties as required, including providing cover for colleagues to maintain service continuity.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge
- Essential: Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel. Strong general IT literacy.
- Desirable: Familiarity with Activate and CSR systems. Understanding of mortgage lending policies (training provided). CeMAP qualification (or working towards). Awareness of mortgage regulations relevant to the role.
Experience
- Proven experience in mortgage underwriting is essential.
Skills & Abilities
- Strong decision-making skills with accountability for outcomes and risk awareness.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain decisions clearly and professionally.
- Well-organised and able to manage workload effectively under pressure to meet service standards.
- Collaborative team player with initiative and a customer-focused approach.
- Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment, with a proactive attitude toward problem-solving and continuous improvement.
Other Requirements
- Willingness to travel to other business locations as required.
- A Basic DBS check will be undertaken upon an offer of employment.
What benefits are on offer:
- 35 hour working week (full-time)
- 7.5% employer pension contribution
- Minimum of 26 days paid holiday a year, plus bank holidays
- Holiday purchase/sale scheme
- Free health screening
- 24/7 GP access for you and your close family
- Comprehensive mental health support including counselling sessions and mental health first aiders
- Workplace savings account with £100 bonus when you save regularly
- Enhanced sick and family leave pay from day 1
- Sick Pay guaranteed for 6 months for major illnesses
- Life assurance of 4 times your annual salary
- Continuous development opportunities
- Retailer discounts and salary sacrifice/deduction schemes
- We’re open to discussing working flexibly
- Onsite gym at Head Office
If the above sounds like something you’d thrive at, we’d love to hear from you.
Mortgage Underwriter in Leek employer: Leek Building Society
At Leek Building Society, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that empowers our colleagues to thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer continuous development opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and an impressive benefits package, including generous holiday allowances and health support. Our hybrid working model allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds, balancing time in our welcoming Head Office in Leek, Staffordshire, with the flexibility of remote work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mortgage Underwriter in Leek
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Leek Building Society on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Mortgage Underwriter role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your mortgage underwriting knowledge. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and regulations in the industry, so you can impress the hiring team with your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your customer service skills during the interview. Be ready to share examples of how you've gone above and beyond for clients in previous roles, as this aligns perfectly with the Society's commitment to exceptional service.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our community-focused team.
We think you need these skills to ace Mortgage Underwriter in Leek
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Mortgage Underwriter role. Highlight your mortgage underwriting experience and any relevant qualifications, like CeMAP, to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you want to join Leek Building Society and how your values align with ours. Don’t forget to mention your commitment to exceptional customer service!
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out your application, keep your language clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your decisions and rationale are easy to understand.
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 from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leek Building Society
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on mortgage underwriting principles and the specific policies of Leek Building Society. Familiarise yourself with the Responsible Lending Policy and be ready to discuss how you would apply it in real scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Decision-Making Skills
Prepare examples from your past experience where you had to make tough lending decisions. Highlight your thought process, the factors you considered, and how you ensured compliance while maintaining customer service.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. During the interview, demonstrate your excellent communication skills by articulating your thoughts clearly and professionally, especially when discussing your approach to liaising with customers and stakeholders.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to discuss how you've identified inefficiencies in previous roles and what steps you took to improve processes. This shows that you're proactive and committed to enhancing customer experience, which aligns with the values of Leek Building Society.
