Underwriter

Northreach; Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Northreach is partnering with a specialist mortgage lender to recruit a Mortgage Underwriter for its bridging finance team in Manchester. You’ll take ownership of bridging applications from initial assessment through to completion, making sound credit decisions with brokers, solicitors and colleagues to deliver a responsive lending service.

You’ll assess applications against policy, provide heads of terms and manage your pipeline through to funding, with a focus on accuracy and timely delivery

Qualifications

• Experience in bridging, refurbishment or development finance with mandate holding underwriting.
• Ability to write concise credit rationales and explain lending decisions clearly.
• Strong analytical skills and practical problem solving across the loan lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite bridging loan applications within service levels.
• Review credit searches, Land Registry reports, valuations and supporting documents.
• Prepare clear credit rationales, identify risks and mitigations.
• Manage cases through to funding, liaising with solicitors and introducers.
• Maintain accurate case records and keep stakeholders informed as cases progress.
• Contribute to underwriting process improvements and support the wider team.

Skills

Bridging finance

Underwriting

Credit assessment

Stakeholder communication

Regulatory compliance

Job description

Northreach is a dynamic recruitment agency that connects businesses with top talent in financial services, fintech, and digital sectors. We specialize in providing a seamless recruitment experience for clients and candidates, fostering innovation and professional growth.

We’re partnering with a specialist mortgage lender to recruit a Mortgage Underwriter for its bridging finance team in Manchester.

You’ll take ownership of bridging applications from initial assessment through to completion, making sound credit decisions and working closely with brokers, solicitors and colleagues to deliver a responsive lending service.

The role

Working within a small, collaborative team, you’ll assess applications against the lender’s credit policy, balancing commercial judgement with thorough due diligence. You’ll discuss potential cases with introducers, provide heads of terms and manage your pipeline through to funding.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Underwriting bridging loan applications within agreed service levels.
• Reviewing credit searches, Land Registry reports, valuations and supporting documents.
• Preparing clear credit rationales, identifying risks and appropriate mitigations.
• Managing cases through to completion, liaising with solicitors and arranging funding.
• Supporting introducers with enquiries and potential applications.
• Maintaining accurate case records throughout the lending process.
• Keeping brokers, solicitors and internal stakeholders informed as cases progress.
• Contributing to improvements in underwriting processes and supporting the wider team.

What we’re looking for

You’ll have experience in bridging, refurbishment or development finance, ideally with at least two years in a mandate-holding underwriting role or a comparable position with a specialist finance provider.

You’ll also bring:

• Experience in unregulated bridging finance and an understanding of the full loan lifecycle, including completions.
• The ability to write concise, well-supported credit rationales and explain lending decisions confidently.
• Strong analytical skills, sound credit judgement and a practical approach to resolving issues.
• Experience managing an end-to-end pipeline while meeting deadlines and service expectations.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation and record keeping.
• Confident communication skills and a collaborative approach.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory and compliance requirements.