Head of Bridging Finance Mortgage Underwriting

Head of Bridging Finance Mortgage Underwriting

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The Head of Bridging Finance is responsible for supporting, managing, and motivating a team of Bridging Underwriters to meet their key objectives. This role sits within the Senior Leadership Team and ensures the maintenance of high credit quality within the Bridging department, managing the Underwriters in upholding credit standards, and liaising with Quality Assurance for ongoing monitoring and reporting.

• Lending Decisions: Make lending decisions in line with Credit Risk Policy, Bridging Lending Procedures, and individual mandate levels.
• Training and Development: Collaborate with the Heads of Unregulated/Regulated Underwriting and Quality Assurance to provide training to the Underwriting Team.
• Deal Structure and Support: Work with the Sales Team to provide deal structure guidance and underwriting support.
• Review and Approval: Review and sign off on Credit Paper submissions, Offer Letters, and files for completion.
• Workload Management: Monitor Underwriters' WIPs to ensure appropriate case allocation across the team.
• SLA Compliance: Ensure applications progress within designated SLAs as per the Business Standards document.
• Finance: Work with the Finance department to facilitate a smooth completion process.
• People Management: Conduct monthly 1‑to‑1 meetings, performance monitoring, and objective reviews within the team.
• Reporting: Provide reports as necessary to board and funders.
• Regulatory Compliance: Adhere to internal policy and regulatory requirements, including FCA, PRA, AML, Prevention of Financial Crime, and Data Protection.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for improvement and proactively make recommendations.
• Project Work: Undertake project and ad‑hoc work as requested by management.

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to assess complex credit risks and make sound lending decisions.
• Deep knowledge of UK financial regulations relevant to bridging finance.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including experience working with brokers, introducers, external customers and internal departments.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in documentation and reporting.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and maintain performance under pressure.
• Leadership capability with a track record of managing and developing underwriting teams.
• Familiarity with both regulated and unregulated lending environments.
• Experience in implementing process improvements or contributing to strategic projects.
• Understanding of property development finance or refurbishment lending.

• Previous underwriting, credit, or lending exposure within a bridging/mortgage environment.
• Demonstrated success in managing case pipelines and ensuring compliance with service standards.
• Solid grasp of property valuation, legal due diligence, and completion processes.
• Experience managing and prioritising work for a team of people.
• Currently holds a lending mandate.
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., CeMAP, DipMAP, or equivalent).
• Exposure to board‑level reporting and funder relationship management.
• Background in quality assurance or compliance within financial services.

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to understanding and meeting customer needs.
• Proactively seeks customer feedback to improve services and products.
• Prioritizes customer satisfaction in all decision‑making processes.

• Values diversity and actively promotes an inclusive work environment.
• Treats all colleagues with respect and openness.
• Encourages collaboration and values different perspectives.
• Values open, honest, and transparent communication.

• Utilizes data to inform decisions and improve processes.
• Adheres to established procedures and guidelines.
• Maintains a strong focus on risk management and mitigation.

• Embraces new technologies and innovative solutions.
• Demonstrates a willingness to take calculated risks.
• Continuously seeks opportunities for…