Lead Commercial Underwriter

About the role

We have an opportunity for an experienced Lead Commercial Underwriter to join a high‑performing Business & Commercial Credit team, underwriting lending requests to businesses and corporate customers. This is a senior role, offering exposure to complex, high‑value transactions and the opportunity to influence key credit decisions across a diverse portfolio. The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing new lending opportunities, credit referrals, and exceptions, ensuring decisions align with the Bank's strategy and risk appetite.

They will make lending decisions up to £2.5m and play a key role in larger transactions up to £20m, including preparing and presenting cases to Credit Approval Committees. Working closely with the first line relationship management team and sector specialists, they will evaluate deals, balance risk and reward, and provide clear, well‑structured recommendations. The role also includes oversight of existing lending, conducting annual reviews and renewals while monitoring customer performance and early warning indicators.

The role holder is expected to build a good awareness of overall portfolio performance. Sector exposure includes real estate, housing associations, healthcare, and renewables, with a strong focus on ESG and sustainable lending.

We operate on a team‑led, hybrid approach with at least 1 day a week in the Manchester office.

• 28 days holiday a year plus bank holidays and a holiday buy/sell scheme.
• Annual discretionary bonus scheme
• Personal pension with matched contributions
• Life assurance (6 times annual salary)
• Company car allowance
• Private Medical Insurance

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

For this role you'll need to have:

• Excellent communication skills, with confidence presenting to senior stakeholders and committees.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships across all levels.
• Strong knowledge of the Business & Commercial banking landscape and market developments
• Good understanding of legal and regulatory requirements within corporate credit risk
• Highly organised, with strong time management and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience in Business & Commercial lending, with a strong grasp of sound lending principles
• Experience leading and underwriting complex lending transactions for Credit Committees, above £20m with experience of having a personal mandate.
• Experienced in one or more of the following sectors: mid‑market trading businesses, healthcare, renewables, or Housing Associations
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities
• Experience working with credit risk systems, models, and policies.

• Chartered Banker Institute qualification (or equivalent)
• Experience engaging with Credit Approval Committees
• Previous mentoring or coaching experience
• Awareness of emerging trends in credit risk and commercial lending
• Experience in managing problem debt situations.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer, offering interview opportunities to all disabled applicants who meet minimum criteria. We also celebrate diversity and welcome applicants of all race, age, faith, disability, and sexual orientation.