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- Tasks: Lead underwriting for commercial mortgages and shape a new division from the ground up.
- Company: Join a specialist lender launching an exciting new phase in commercial mortgages.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary up to £100,000 plus benefits and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a small, ambitious team where your expertise directly impacts success.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial mortgages is essential; ideal for Senior Underwriters ready to advance.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with a focus on customer service and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: London
Salary: Up to £100,000 depending on experience, plus benefits
About the position:
We are working with a specialist lender entering an exciting new phase with the launch of their Commercial Mortgages division. We are looking for a Head of Underwriting to play a pivotal role in shaping its future. Joining at an early stage, you will be hands-on from day one, underwriting cases while helping to lay the foundation for a function that is set to grow. This is a unique chance to be part of a small, agile team with big ambitions, where your expertise will directly influence the success and direction of the commercial lending strategy. We welcome applications from experienced Heads of Underwriting, as well as ambitious Senior Underwriters ready to take the next step in their career. You will bring strong credit skills, a proactive mindset, and a desire to contribute beyond a typical underwriting role as the department scales. If you are looking for influence, visibility, and the chance to grow with a business, this role offers exactly that.
Responsibilities:
- Underwrite mortgage applications pragmatically within delegated authority.
- Assess credit reports, financials, bank statements, and valuations to support sound lending decisions.
- Balance risk and flexibility to maintain low arrears and losses in a specialist lending environment.
- Escalate out-of-policy cases with clear rationale and engage key stakeholders in Group Risk.
- Ensure strong AML and customer due diligence practices are followed.
- Maintain high accuracy across documentation and data entry.
- Respond promptly to internal and external queries, upholding service standards.
- Communicate decisions clearly to brokers and build strong working relationships.
- Manage a pipeline of cases through to formal offer, meeting agreed SLAs.
- Adhere to company policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and contribute to process improvements as the team scales.
Experience required:
- Experience in commercial mortgages is essential.
- Experienced Senior Underwriter looking for the next step. We can also consider experienced 'Heads of'.
- Strong risk awareness paired with balanced judgment.
- Commitment to delivering exceptional customer service with a customer-centric approach.
- Adaptable and flexible in achieving delivery goals.
- Skilled in management and collaboration.
- Effective communication skills.
- Adaptable to new products and emerging markets.
- A dedicated team player.
For more information regarding the role, please get in touch with us.
Stellar Select is acting as an employment agency and is a corporate member of the REC. Due to a high volume of applications, we will only contact you if your application has been successful. We aim to contact all successful contacts within two business days.
Head of Underwriting employer: Stellar Select
Contact Detail:
Stellar Select Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Underwriting
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the commercial mortgage sector. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends. This can help you gain insights into what the company is looking for and may even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the company’s current position in the market and their future plans for the Commercial Mortgages division. Understanding their strategy will allow you to tailor your conversations and demonstrate how your experience aligns with their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your underwriting experience, particularly in commercial mortgages. Highlight your ability to balance risk and flexibility, as well as any successful projects where you contributed to process improvements or customer service excellence.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing how you've managed teams or collaborated with cross-functional groups in the past. Emphasise your proactive mindset and willingness to contribute beyond typical underwriting responsibilities, as this aligns with the role's expectations.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Underwriting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in commercial mortgages and underwriting. Use specific examples that demonstrate your credit skills and risk awareness, as these are crucial for the Head of Underwriting role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the company. Mention how your proactive mindset and customer-centric approach align with the company's goals, and express your enthusiasm for being part of a growing team.
Highlight Key Achievements: In your application, emphasise any significant achievements in your previous roles, particularly those related to managing underwriting processes or improving service standards. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can contribute to the company's success.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you carefully follow all application instructions provided in the job listing. This includes submitting all required documents and adhering to any specified formats or deadlines, as attention to detail is vital in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Stellar Select
✨Showcase Your Underwriting Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience in commercial mortgages during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific cases you've underwritten and the rationale behind your decisions, as this will demonstrate your strong credit skills and risk awareness.
✨Emphasise Your Proactive Mindset
The role requires a proactive approach, so share examples of how you've taken initiative in previous positions. Discuss any process improvements you've implemented or how you've contributed beyond typical underwriting responsibilities.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since communication is key in this role, focus on building a good rapport with your interviewers. Practice clear and concise communication, and be ready to explain complex concepts in an easily understandable way, especially when discussing lending strategies.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your judgment and decision-making skills. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would balance risk and flexibility while maintaining service standards.
