Underwriting Manager

Stellar Select; Hertsmere; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist bridging lender in Borehamwood is seeking an experienced Bridging Underwriting Manager to lead a team of underwriters. The successful candidate will oversee lending decisions and manage workflows while maintaining relationships with brokers and stakeholders. A minimum of 5 years' experience in specialist finance underwriting is required. This role offers competitive compensation based on experience and a full-time commitment from Monday to Friday.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in specialist finance underwriting, ideally within bridging finance.
• Experience managing underwriting or origination teams.
• Hold a personal lending mandate of £500,000 or more.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of underwriters and origination staff.
• Personally underwrite bridging loan applications from start to finish.
• Prepare and present credit papers to the internal credit committee.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Technical underwriting knowledge

Risk assessment capability

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Relationship management

Education

CeMap qualification preferred

Job description

Bridging Underwriting Manager

Location: Borehamwood

Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Hours: Monday to Friday 9 am to 5.30 pm

About our Client and the role of the Bridging Underwriting Manager: We are working closely with our client, a specialist bridging lender, to appoint a Bridging Underwriting Manager. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a fast-growing lender in the property finance space. The successful candidate will play a key leadership role within the underwriting function, responsible for managing a team of underwriters and origination personnel. You will be instrumental in delivering high-quality lending decisions, overseeing complex bridging finance transactions, and ensuring efficient workflow management. This role requires someone with strong interpersonal skills to maintain excellent working relationships with brokers, solicitors, valuers, and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of underwriters and origination staff, overseeing workflows ensuring a consistently high quality of underwriting output across the wider team.
• Personally underwrite bridging loan applications from start to finish in line with lending policies, managing a live pipeline of approx. 15+ cases.
• Maintain ongoing contact with brokers, solicitors, and valuers to ensure optimal service levels and efficient case progression.
• Continually assess and mitigate risk across individual and team pipelines.
• Prepare and present credit papers to the internal credit committee, articulating the risk and strength of each deal.
• Collaborate with finance and treasury teams to ensure timely drawdown of funds.
• Provide regular updates to internal teams and stakeholders regarding case progression.
• Review and improve internal policies and processes, maintaining efficiency and compliance.
• Work towards individual and team KPIs and manage workload to meet key deadlines.
• Maintain regular communication with the Risk Manager to ensure alignment with business goals.

Experience required

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in specialist finance underwriting, ideally within bridging finance.
• Experience managing underwriting or origination teams.
• Hold a personal lending mandate of £500,000 or more.
• Strong technical underwriting knowledge and risk assessment capability.
• CeMap qualification preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including brokers, legal partners, and internal departments.

For more information regarding the role of the Bridging Underwriting Manager, please contact us.