Senior Underwriting Manager

Stride Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Hybrid work pattern (4 days in office,

1 day WFH

Opportunity to mentor and manage juni

Job summary

Stride Recruitment is seeking an experienced Senior Underwriter to join a growing specialist property finance business, with a focus on bridging and development finance underwriting, origination and the wider lending process.

You will work closely with borrowers, brokers and funders, manage lending processes, and mentor junior team members while ensuring transactions progress in line with internal policies and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bridging and development finance underwriting experience essential.
• Strong understanding of the full property lending lifecycle.
• Experience assessing complex property finance transactions.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with borrowers, lenders' solicitors and brokers to manage the lending process.
• Review loan documentation, credit reports and valuation reports.
• Conduct due diligence using Companies House and HM Land Registry.
• Act as a key contact for institutional funders and maintain relationships.
• Prepare indicative terms and loan offer letters.
• Support onboarding of investors and prepare investment memorandums.

Skills

Bridging & development finance under

Property lending lifecycle

Risk assessment & due diligence

Excel reporting

Stakeholder management

Tools

Excel

Job description

Location: London

Salary: Up to £80,000 + discretionary bonus

Working Pattern: 4 days office-based, 1 day WFH

Employment Type: Permanent

Title: Senior Risk Officer, with title subject to review following successful completion of the 6-month probationary period.

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Underwriter to join a growing specialist property finance business, with a particular focus on bridging and development finance.

This is a hands-on role suited to an experienced property finance professional who has a strong understanding of bridging & development finance underwriting, origination and the wider lending process.

The successful candidate will work closely with borrowers, brokers, institutional funders and professional advisers, taking responsibility for managing lending processes and ensuring transactions are progressed efficiently and in line with internal policies and regulatory requirements.

The role also offers the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility within the team, including mentoring and managing future junior hires.

Key Responsibilities

• Liaise with borrowers, lenders' solicitors, valuers, quantity surveyors, brokers and internal sales teams to effectively manage the lending process.
• Review and assess application forms, loan documentation, credit reports, valuation reports, bank statements and other relevant financial and property information.
• Conduct appropriate due diligence using resources including Companies House and HM Land Registry.
• Act as a key point of contact for institutional funders, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring effective communication throughout the lending process.
• Prepare indicative terms and loan offer letters.
• Support the onboarding of new investors and prepare investment memorandums for investors.
• Prepare accurate client statements for investors and borrowers.
• Create, maintain and update reporting using Excel.
• Ensure documentation and lending activity are assessed and managed in accordance with internal policies, procedures and relevant regulatory requirements, including GDPR.
• Support the migration of loan data from Excel into the company's loan management system.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, including contacts and pipeline loans.
• Provide regular loan updates and reporting to senior management.
• Attend team meetings and contribute to discussions around lending activity and portfolio progression.
• Mentor and support future junior members of the team as the business continues to grow.

About You

The ideal candidate will be an experienced property finance professional with a strong background in bridging and development finance underwriting.

You will ideally have:

• Extensive experience within bridging & development finance underwriting.
• Strong understanding of the full property lending lifecycle.
• Experience assessing complex property finance transactions.
• Strong understanding of development appraisals, valuations, borrower experience, exit strategies and associated lending risks.
• Experience working closely with brokers, borrowers, valuers, solicitors and other professional advisers.
• Strong commercial judgement and ability to assess risk effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously.
• Strong Excel and reporting skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior colleagues would be advantageous.

What’s on Offer

• Up to £80,000 basic salary
• Discretionary bonus
• 4 days office-based / 1 day working from home
• Opportunity to work within a growing specialist property finance business
• Exposure to both bridging and development finance
• Direct interaction with institutional funders and senior stakeholders
• Opportunity to take on increased responsibility as the team grows
• Future opportunity to mentor and manage junior team members
• Title subject to review following successful completion of the 6-month probationary period to change to Chief Risk Officer.

The Ideal Background

This role would suit an experienced Bridging/Development Finance Underwriter, Senior Underwriter, Credit Manager, Senior Risk professional or experienced property finance professional who is looking to take on a broader position within a growing specialist lender.

Bridging & Development finance underwriting experience is essential.

Please do not apply if you have no bridging or development underwriting experience.