Head of Underwriting

Stellar Select; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 25 days holiday

Contributory pension scheme

BUPA Health Cash Plan

Training and development opportunities

Staff recognition awards

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of Underwriting to lead its Mortgage Underwriting team. This pivotal role involves ensuring high standards of customer care while maintaining a robust risk management framework. The successful candidate will manage a team of experienced underwriters, assess complex mortgage applications, and drive operational improvements. With a focus on stakeholder management and effective communication, this position offers the opportunity to influence key decisions and transform underwriting processes. If you are passionate about leading teams and enhancing customer experiences in a regulated environment, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an underwriting team in a manual underwriting environment.
• Significant experience in mortgage underwriting, including residential and Buy-to-Let.

Responsibilities

• Manage the integrity of the mortgage book in line with lending mandates.
• Lead a team of five underwriters, ensuring productivity and performance.
• Drive operational transformation and process improvements.

Skills

Manual Underwriting

Risk Assessment

Stakeholder Management

Analytical Skills

Process Improvement

Tools

ProVision

Job description

Job Title: Head of Underwriting

Location: Buckinghamshire Hybrid 3 days a week, 2 days working from home

• Up to 25 days holiday
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 10% employer contributions)
• BUPA Health Cash Plan
• Training and development opportunities
• Staff recognition awards

About our Client and the role of Head of Underwriting:

Our client, a well-established building society, is seeking a Head of Underwriting to lead its Mortgage Underwriting team. Reporting to the Head of Operations, the successful candidate will ensure high standards of customer care and service levels while maintaining a strong risk management framework in a highly regulated environment.

The role requires expertise in manual underwriting, the ability to assess complex mortgage cases, and a proactive approach to process improvement.

The role also involves leading a team of experienced underwriters, bringing structure and efficiency to operations, and driving transformation initiatives, including updates to the society's underwriting platform. Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for stakeholder management, including presenting cases to internal committees and board members.

Responsibilities for the role of Head of Underwriting:

• Manage and maintain the integrity of the mortgage book in line with lending mandates and policy.
• Act as a subject matter expert in specialist underwriting for the building society's niche products.
• Assess and approve complex mortgage applications outside standard lending policy.
• Lead and support a team of five experienced underwriters, ensuring productivity and performance.
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings to provide structure and development within the team.
• Drive operational transformation, including platform updates and process improvements.
• Engage and support the team in managing changes to underwriting processes.
• Communicate effectively with brokers and intermediaries, providing feedback on declined cases.
• Ensure prudent lending decisions align with the building society's risk appetite.
• Represent the building society as an active member of the credit committee.
• Confidently present cases to executive committees and board members.
• Oversee regular audits and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Experience required for the role of Head of Underwriting:

• Experience leading an underwriting team, ideally within a manual underwriting environment.
• Significant experience in mortgage underwriting, including residential and Buy-to-Let lending.
• Experience working with brokers, intermediaries, and packagers.
• Strong analytical skills and risk assessment expertise.
• Experience with ProVision (Desirable).
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Proven ability to drive operational improvements and challenge existing processes.

For more information regarding the role of Head of Underwriting, please contact 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 candidates within two business days.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Finance