At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Mortgage Underwriting Team and ensure high customer care standards.
- Company: Join a specialist mortgage lender known for excellent customer service.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous bonuses, pension up to 10%, and hybrid work options.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team, mentor others, and make impactful lending decisions.
- Qualifications: Must have extensive experience in manual mortgage underwriting and team leadership.
- Other info: Office located just north-west of London; regular presence required.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Are you seeking your next challenge within Mortgage Underwriting, working with an organisation that prides themselves on excellent customer service? We’re pleased to be working with our specialist mortgage lender client, as they seek a Head of Underwriting to join the organisation owing to retirement. Reporting into the Head of Operations, this role holder will have responsibility for the Mortgage Underwriting Team, ensuring high customer care standards, mitigating risk, whilst operating in a highly regulated environment. You will also hold a personal mandate. The underwriting team underwrites all lending cases manually, which includes complex cases.
Duties of the Head of Underwriting
- Manage and maintain the integrity of the Mortgage book by leading within mandates and the lending policy.
- Be the subject matter expert in specialist underwriting for niche products.
- Assess complex mortgage applications when out of line of the lending policy.
- Undertake control checks on the Underwriting team.
- Ensure timely lending decisions are made within the agreed SLA’s.
- Authorising lending cases within approved mandates.
- Delivering a first class personalised service that includes keeping the customers or intermediaries informed of any delays.
- Communicate with Brokers and intermediaries on declined cases and provide objective feedback as appropriate.
- Be responsible for new product criteria assessment.
- Lead, coach and mentor the Underwriting team.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess:
- A wealth of experience in manual, mortgage underwriting.
- Experience of leading a team of underwriters.
- Experience of dealing with brokers, intermediaries and packagers.
In return you can expect a highly competitive salary as well as strong benefits which include generous bonus, pension up to 10% and onsite parking. Regular office presence (office is just to the north west of London) is required but there is the opportunity to work on a hybrid basis.
Head of Underwriting employer: Ultimate Banking
Contact Detail:
Ultimate Banking Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Underwriting
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to highlight your experience in manual mortgage underwriting during any conversations. This role requires a deep understanding of complex cases, so be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've successfully navigated challenging applications.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and regulations in the mortgage industry. Being knowledgeable about current compliance standards will not only impress your interviewers but also demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high customer care standards.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the banking and financial services sector, especially those involved in underwriting. Engaging with others in the field can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you plan to mentor and develop your team. As this role involves managing the Underwriting team, showcasing your ability to lead effectively will be crucial in making a strong impression.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Underwriting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in mortgage underwriting and team leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage complex cases and maintain high customer care standards.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Mention your experience with brokers and intermediaries, and how you can contribute to the team's success while ensuring compliance with lending policies.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your skills in risk mitigation, decision-making, and mentoring. These are crucial for the Head of Underwriting position, so provide concrete examples of how you've successfully applied these skills in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any errors or inconsistencies. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is essential in the highly regulated environment of mortgage underwriting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ultimate Banking
✨Showcase Your Expertise
As a candidate for the Head of Underwriting position, it's crucial to demonstrate your extensive knowledge in manual mortgage underwriting. Be prepared to discuss specific cases you've handled and how your decisions aligned with lending policies.
✨Highlight Leadership Experience
Since this role involves leading a team, share examples of your leadership style and how you've successfully managed and mentored underwriters in the past. Discuss any strategies you've implemented to improve team performance and customer service.
✨Prepare for Complex Scenarios
Expect to be asked about your approach to assessing complex mortgage applications that fall outside standard lending policies. Prepare to explain your thought process and how you mitigate risk while ensuring compliance with regulations.
✨Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is key in this role, especially when dealing with brokers and intermediaries. Be ready to discuss how you handle feedback on declined cases and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.