Senior Underwriter

OSB Group; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus 17.5%

30 days annual leave

Pension contributions 3% or 5% with 6%

Family-friendly benefits

Hybrid work: 3 days in-office, 2 at‑h​

Job summary

OSB Group is seeking a Senior Underwriter to join the Bridging team and progress mortgage applications to offer in line with policies and the Mortgage Credit Directive.

The role combines technical underwriting, strong communication, attention to detail and cross-team collaboration. Salary between £41,000 and £45,000 with a discretionary bonus and a hybrid work pattern (3 days in the office, 2 at home).

Qualifications

• Mandated mortgage underwriting experience within Bridging.
• Strong knowledge of the Data Protection Act, AML, MCOBS and MMR.
• Detailed knowledge of FCA/PRA regulations regarding residential mortgages.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and issuing terms: assess and issue terms for agreement in principle requests from intermediaries.
• Underwriting applications: review mortgage applications and assess risk within mandate levels.
• Handling out-of-policy cases: provide escalation recommendations for non-standard cases.
• Communication: regular interaction with intermediaries and solicitors, by phone and in writing.
• Collaboration: work with sales teams to meet time-sensitive customer needs.
• Policy and process implementation: assist management in following internal policies.
• Coaching team members: provide guidance and training to newer colleagues.
• Managing escalations: handle difficult queries and complex situations, training others.
• Identifying potential fraud: recognise red flags and report in line with processes.

Skills

Mortgage underwriting

Bridging knowledge

Regulatory awareness

Job description

The Underwriting department supports the Bank by assessing the risk of lending and protecting the Bank against this risk and losses. With strong market knowledge, diagnostic approach and ability to give dependable decisions, the team take a common-sense approach to manual underwriting.

What you will be doing:

As Senior Underwriter you will work within the Bridging team facilitating and progressing mortgage applications, within the assigned mandate level, through to mortgage offer and in line with the Bank's operating procedures and policies and the Mortgage Credit Directive.

The role requires a combination of technical knowledge, strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate with various teams.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Reviewing and Issuing Terms: Quickly assessing and issuing terms for agreement in principle requests from intermediaries.
• Underwriting Applications: Reviewing mortgage applications, taking a risk-based approach to ensure they align with company policy and criteria, offering loans within the assigned mandate level.
• Handling Out-of-Policy Cases: For applications outside normal policies or your approved mandate, providing recommendations for escalation.
• Communication: Regular interaction with intermediaries and solicitors, both over the phone and in writing.
• Collaboration: Understanding time-sensitive customer needs and collaborating with sales teams to meet them.
• Policy and Process Implementation: Assisting management in making sure internal policies and processes are properly followed.
• Coaching Team Members: Offering guidance and training to newer or less experienced colleagues.
• Managing Escalations: Dealing with difficult queries or complex situations and helping resolve them, while also training team members.
• Identifying and Escalating Potential Fraudulent Activity: recognising red flags and inconsistencies that might indicate fraudulent behaviour, adhering to company processes for escalating concerns and reporting.

What's in it for you?

We offer a base salary dependent on experience of between £41,000 - £45,000 and a competitive benefits package including:

• Annual discretionary bonus opportunity: 17.5%
• 30 days annual leave
• Choose to contribute 3% or 5% pension, with employer contributions of 6% or 8% respectively
• Enhanced family-focused benefits
• Hybrid-working * 3 days per week in the office, 2 at home

Please use this link to see the fantastic benefits available at OSB: OSB Careers

About us:

At OSB Group, we understand how much our people bring to our organisation, which is why we try our best to give back too! Our Purpose is to help our customers, colleagues and communities prosper and we are on a transformation journey to become 'the bank of the future'.

Our commitment to professional development, flexible working, and employee well-being fosters a dynamic and supportive workplace.

Do you have the skills?

We are looking for talented individuals who have the experience and qualifications set out below:

• Mandated mortgage underwriting experience within Bridging.
• Strong knowledge of the Data Protection Act, Anti-Money Laundering, MCOBS and MMR.
• Detailed knowledge of the FCA/PRA regulations regarding residential mortgages.

Shortlisted candidates will go through a personalised recruitment process, that is relevant and conversational. If you need any adjustments or support, we're here to make sure you can show your best self.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone can thrive.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and encourage candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions to apply.

If you meet the minimum criteria for the role and would like to be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme, please indicate this on your application.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our team value spending time together in the office, typically 3 days a week to support collaboration and connection with colleagues, but we're happy to have a conversation about what flexibility might look like for you.

Not sure if you meet the spec? Let us decide. Research tells us that those from marginalised groups feel like they need to meet 100% of the criteria to apply. Here at OSB, we are committed to inclusivity and understand the value different experiences and perspectives can bring, so please don't feel like you need to check every box to apply for a role internally.

We champion diversity at all levels, with Board-level Diversity Champions tracking our progress. We are proud to be signed up to the Women in Finance Charter to actively support the growth and development of senior women in our sector and are dedicated to treating all our employees and job applicants equally, opposed to discrimination on any grounds.