Mortgage Underwriter

Specialist Bridging Underwriter Recruitment Consultant | Short-Term Lending | Property Finance | UK

Northreach is a dynamic recruitment agency that connects businesses with top talent in financial services, fintech, and digital sectors. We specialize in providing a seamless recruitment experience for clients and candidates, fostering innovation and professional growth.

Northreach is supporting a well-established residential mortgage lender in the appointment of a Mortgage Underwriter. This role sits within a manual underwriting environment where experience, judgement, and attention to detail are central to decision‑making. You will operate with delegated authority, taking ownership of cases through to formal offer.

• Manually underwrite residential mortgage applications from initial assessment through to offer
• Evaluate affordability, creditworthiness, repayment sustainability, and overall lending risk
• Analyse and verify applicant documentation including income evidence, credit reports, tax returns, and valuation reports
• Assess cases involving multiple income streams, including employed and self‑employed applicants
• Ensure lending decisions align with internal lending policy, criteria, and regulatory requirements
• Use underwriting judgement to identify feasible options within policy appetite
• Present cases to Credit Committee where required
• Approve, decline, or conditionally approve applications following thorough risk analysis
• Identify and mitigate potential risks while balancing sound customer outcomes
• Maintain financial crime awareness and escalate suspected fraud or suspicious activity appropriately
• Work within the lender’s risk management framework and key controls
• Contribute to underwriting process improvements and policy development
• Build effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, solicitors, valuers, and third parties

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in residential mortgage underwriting with mandated authority
• Strong experience assessing a range of income types, including self‑employed cases
• Solid understanding of residential property types, valuation considerations, and legal matters
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to make balanced, manual underwriting decisions
• High attention to detail and accuracy in case assessment and documentation
• Clear and professional communication skills
• Experience of self‑build lending and accounts analysis is desirable

• Hybrid working with flexible start and finish times
• Manual underwriting environment valuing experience and judgement
• Strong benefits package including enhanced pension, private medical cover, and wellbeing support

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Finance Industries:
Staffing and Recruiting and Financial Services

Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply via Northreach for a confidential discussion.