At a Glance
- Tasks: Underwrite complex SME lending applications and collaborate with data science teams.
- Company: High-growth specialist SME lender with a focus on AI-driven credit scoring.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, private healthcare, enhanced pension, and career progression.
- Other info: Collaborative office environment with opportunities for mentorship and leadership growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team where data and judgement shape the future of credit decisioning.
- Qualifications: Experience in SME lending, strong analytical skills, and decision-making authority.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Credit Decisioning Specialist Business Lending & Portfolio Risk Northampton (Office-Based)
£50,000 - £70,000 + Annual Bonus + Private Healthcare + Enhanced Pension + Benefits Credit decisioning is evolving rapidly.
The businesses leading that evolution are the ones that combine data science capability with experienced human credit judgement.
This is one of those businesses - and this is the role that sits at the intersection of both.
The Business A high-growth specialist SME lender has invested significantly in proprietary AI-driven credit scoring, automated decisioning infrastructure and data science capability.
The business underwrites both broker-introduced and own-book lending, and has built a credit function that is genuinely analytical - not one that simply applies policy.
The credit and data teams work in close proximity.
Decisioning models are continuously refined.
Portfolio performance is monitored analytically.
And the underwriting team operates with real sanctioning authority - combining the outputs of the technology with independent commercial judgement on every material decision.
Opportunity
The business is seeking a Credit Decisioning Specialist to take a central role within its commercial credit function.
This is not a pure modelling role and it is not a pure underwriting role - it is a role for someone who is comfortable in both worlds.
You will assess complex SME lending applications with genuine decisioning authority, work closely with the data science team on credit model performance, contribute to underwriting policy and portfolio risk frameworks, and provide mentorship and guidance to junior colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
- Underwrite complex SME and commercial lending applications with full decisioning authority within delegated limits
- Evaluate financial statements, management accounts, Open Banking data, credit bureau outputs and risk indicators to form independent credit views
- Contribute analytical insight to the ongoing refinement of credit models, scorecard thresholds and automated decisioning frameworks
- Identify portfolio risk trends and emerging issues through performance data analysis
- Manage exceptions, referrals and non-standard cases requiring judgement beyond automated scoring
- Work closely with broker partners, sales, operations and the data science team to ensure decision quality and portfolio health
- Support the development of junior underwriters and analysts
- The Candidate
- You have developed your credit career in a demanding, data-aware lending environment. You understand both the power and the limitations of automated credit models.
- You can make independent decisions, articulate your reasoning clearly, and engage with portfolio data at a level that goes beyond individual transactions.
- Proven experience in SME lending, commercial credit, challenger banking, fintech lending, asset finance or specialist business finance
- Strong analytical capability - comfortable interpreting financial accounts, credit bureau data, Open Banking outputs and risk modelling inputs
- Experience with automated decisioning environments, credit scorecards or data-led lending platforms - as a user, contributor or both
- Genuine delegated sanctioning authority - able to make and stand behind independent credit decisions
- Commercial intelligence - understands how individual lending decisions connect to portfolio outcomes and business performance
- Degree-educated or equivalent intellectual profile with demonstrable analytical achievement
- Unrestricted right to work in the UK
- Target Backgrounds Professionals from specialist SME lenders, new challenger banks, fintech credit platforms and data-enabled business finance businesses are particularly encouraged to apply.
Credit risk analysts with underwriting authority, senior underwriters with strong analytical depth, and lending professionals who have worked alongside scorecard or model development teams are all strong fits for this role.
- Salary & Benefits
- £50,000 - £70,000 basic salary (dependent on experience and current sanctioning level)
- Annual performance bonus
- Private healthcare
- Enhanced pension contributions
- Life assurance
- Genuine progression into underwriting leadership and credit management
- Location
Northampton.
Fully office-based.
The business operates a highly collaborative credit and data culture - the underwriting team, data science function and senior leadership work in close daily proximity.
This environment is central to the quality of decisioning the business produces.
Relocation assistance is available for exceptional candidates.
If you have built your credit career in an environment where data and judgement work together - and you want a role where both are genuinely valued - this is worth a conversation
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Credit Decisioning Specialist in Northampton employer: Stryker Corporation
Stryker Corporation is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to thrive in a remote setting while being part of a leading medical communications team. With a strong emphasis on professional development and growth opportunities, employees are encouraged to enhance their skills and advance their careers, all while contributing to meaningful projects that impact healthcare globally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Credit Decisioning Specialist in Northampton
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Stryker Corporation. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Credit Decisioning Specialist in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Stryker Corporation.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Stryker Corporation's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stryker Corporation
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Stryker Corporation.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Stryker Corporation will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Stryker Corporation employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
