Head of Underwriting

Position:Head of Underwriting

Location: Birmingham (Hybrid)

Skills: Banking, Lending, BTL, Buy to Let, Mortgages, Underwriting, Underwriter, Head of

The Role:

Our Banking client is going through a period of growth at the moment and needs an experienced Head of Underwriting to join them. As the Head of Underwriting, you will play a pivotal role in leading and managing the underwriting team, ensuring effective assessment and decision-making for Buy-to-Let and Mortgage applications. You will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of risk management, compliance, and operational efficiency within the underwriting process and will play a pivotal role in broker onboarding, development and management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of underwriters, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Provide guidance on complex cases, ensuring consistent decision-making and adherence to policies.
• Develop and implement underwriting strategies for Buy-to-Let and Mortgages, aligning with company goals and risk appetite.
• Continuously refine underwriting criteria based on market trends, regulatory changes, and risk assessments.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external intermediaries and brokers involved in the lending process, fostering a collaborative and mutually beneficial partnership.
• Act as a primary point of contact for intermediaries, providing guidance and support throughout the application and underwriting process.
• Strategically manage and monitor the performance of intermediary relationships, implementing feedback mechanisms to enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness.
• Assess and manage risk associated with BTL and Mortgage applications, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.
• Implement effective risk mitigation strategies and controls.
• Establish and maintain robust quality assurance processes to ensure accuracy and consistency in underwriting decisions.
• Conduct regular audits to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.
• Work closely with sales, credit risk, and legal teams to streamline communication and ensure a seamless end-to-end underwriting process.
• Provide expertise in cross-functional projects related to product development and process enhancements.
• Design and deliver training programs for underwriting staff to enhance their skills and keep them abreast of industry best practices.
• Foster a continuous learning environment to promote professional development.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Proven experience in underwriting, specifically in Buy-to-Let and Mortgages.
• Strong leadership and people management skills with a track record of building and leading successful teams.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.