Morson Edge (Financial Services)
Head of Underwriting
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Head of Underwriting Location: Hampshire (Hybrid, 3 days per week in the office) Salary: Up to £120,000 + Benefits
A growing challenger bank is seeking an experienced lending professional to lead a specialist property underwriting function during an exciting period of growth and transformation. This is a rare opportunity to join an established lender that has expanded significantly within specialist property finance over recent years and is investing heavily in both its people and lending capabilities. The successful individual will play a key role in shaping the future of the underwriting operation, developing a growing team and helping the business achieve ambitious origination targets.
The Opportunity Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will take ownership of a specialist underwriting division responsible for supporting complex property-backed lending transactions. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in credit decisioning, making it ideal for someone who enjoys leading from the front rather than operating purely at a management level. The business has experienced considerable change within its leadership structure over the last 12 months and is looking for an individual who can bring stability, coaching and direction to a developing team with a broad range of experience levels.
You will be responsible for overseeing underwriting activity, supporting complex lending decisions, mentoring underwriters and ensuring service standards remain aligned to the commercial ambitions of the organisation.
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Key Responsibilities Lead, develop and motivate a team of underwriters and case management professionals. Act as the senior escalation point for complex lending applications. Assess and approve specialist property finance transactions within delegated authority levels. Support the continued development of underwriting frameworks, controls and lending processes. Drive consistency of decision making across the team while balancing risk and commercial objectives. Work closely with relationship, sales and operations teams to ensure a seamless customer journey. Participate in credit governance forums and contribute towards lending policy discussions. Coach and develop team members, helping to increase capability, technical knowledge and mandate progression. Monitor service delivery and operational performance against agreed objectives. Build strong working relationships across the wider business and with external stakeholders.
About You We're interested in speaking with individuals who combine strong technical underwriting expertise with proven people leadership capability. You may already be operating at Head of Underwriting level, or you could be an experienced Senior Manager or Underwriting Manager looking for the next step in your career.
The successful candidate will demonstrate: Extensive experience within specialist property lending. Strong knowledge of buy-to-let lending, bridging finance, or a combination of both. Experience manually assessing complex lending transactions. The credibility and confidence to operate as a senior stakeholder within a regulated banking environment. A hands-on leadership style with a genuine passion for coaching and developing teams. Strong commercial awareness balanced with sound risk judgement. Experience operating within delegated lending authorities and governance frameworks. The ability to influence stakeholders across lending, operations, risk and commercial functions.
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Ideal Backgrounds We are particularly keen to hear from professionals currently working within: Challenger banks Specialist property lenders Commercial and residential mortgage lenders Bridging finance providers Buy-to-let lenders Specialist banking institutions
Experience within a regulated banking environment would be advantageous, although candidates from high-quality specialist lending businesses will also be considered.
What's On Offer? Opportunity to lead an established underwriting function during a significant growth phase. Direct influence over team development, operational performance and lending outcomes. Exposure to complex, high-value lending transactions. A visible leadership role within a well-funded and ambitious challenger bank. Genuine opportunity to shape the future direction of the underwriting operation. Hybrid working model with three days per week in the Hampshire office.
If you're an experienced underwriting leader looking for a role that combines strategic influence, people leadership and hands-on lending expertise, we'd love to hear from you.
To apply, please send your CV to jim.chappell@morson-edge.com
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