Senior Mortgage Underwriter

MERJE; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

MERJE is seeking an experienced Underwriter to assess and sanction mortgage applications within delegated authority. You will apply MCOB and Consumer Duty guidance to deliver fair, timely outcomes for customers and brokers.

Responsibilities include maintaining portfolio quality, identifying risks, and documenting decisions for audit reviews. A strong CeMAP or equivalent qualification is required, with experience in residential and Buy-to-Let lending.

Qualifications

• GCSE level standard or equivalent, including English and Mathematics.
• Knowledge of MCOB, Consumer Duty, AML, CDD/KYC and data protection.
• Experience with mortgage processing, property valuations, conveyancing and related legal aspects.
• CeMAP or another relevant mortgage qualification.
• Experience with residential mortgage applications and underwriting mandates.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the quality of the mortgage portfolio through prudent, consistent and risk-based decision-making.
• Apply policy consistently while exercising appropriate judgement and flexibility to reflect individual customer circumstances.
• Identify, manage and escalate credit, conduct, fraud, operational or customer risks promptly and appropriately.
• Deliver decisions that balance responsible lending, good customer outcomes and risk appetite.
• Document decisions clearly so that the rationale, evidence considered and customer outcome can be understood and independently reviewed.
• Strong written and verbal communication, relationship management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage a varied pipeline, competing priorities and time-sensitive cases without compromising quality.

Skills

Mortgage underwriting

Risk assessment

Policy interpretation

Credit analysis

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

GCSEs including English and Maths

Job description

The Underwriter role assesses and sanctions mortgage applications within delegated authority, making sound, evidence-based lending decisions while delivering fair and timely outcomes for customers and brokers.

The role applies established lending policy, underwriting guidance and risk appetite consistently, while using appropriate judgement to reflect individual customer circumstances. It contributes directly to underwriting quality, service performance and the strength of the mortgage portfolio.

• Maintain the quality of the mortgage portfolio through prudent, consistent and risk-based decision-making.
• Apply policy consistently while exercising appropriate judgement and flexibility to reflect individual customer circumstances.
• Identify, manage and escalate credit, conduct, fraud, operational or customer risks promptly and appropriately.
• Deliver decisions that balance responsible lending, good customer outcomes and risk appetite, including appropriate consideration of vulnerability and foreseeable harm.
• Document decisions clearly so that the rationale, evidence considered and customer outcome can be understood and independently reviewed.
• Strong working knowledge of mortgage underwriting, retail lending policy and underwriting guidance.
• Educated to GCSE level standard, or equivalent, including English and Mathematics.
• Sound understanding of responsible lending and relevant requirements, including MCOB, Consumer Duty, AML, CDD/KYC and data protection.
• Good working knowledge of mortgage processing, property valuations, conveyancing and the legal aspects relevant to mortgage underwriting.
• Ability to identify and articulate key risks, mitigants and the rationale for a lending decision.
• Strong written and verbal communication, relationship management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage a varied pipeline, competing priorities and time-sensitive cases without compromising quality.
• High attention to detail, customer empathy & confidence using digital systems and data.
• Mortgage industry experience, including experience assessing residential mortgage applications.
• Experience working within an underwriting mandate and referral framework.
• A lending mandate of up to £500,000 across Residential Owner Occupier and/or Buy to Let lending.
• Experience of complex customer circumstances, specialist lending cases or broker relationship management.
• CeMAP or another relevant mortgage qualification
• Awareness of specialist lending propositions, automation & emerging underwriting risks.
• Understanding of how individual lending decisions contribute to portfolio quality and customer outcomes.