The Role

• Assess and underwrite complex SME and commercial lending applications with full decisioning authority within delegated limits
• Evaluate financial statements, credit bureau data, management accounts, business plans and risk indicators to form independent lending views
• Manage broker-introduced and own-book applications from initial submission through to decision and documentation
• Handle referrals, exceptions and non-standard cases that require judgement beyond automated scorecards
• Mentor and support junior underwriters, contributing to the development of the wider team
• Contribute to underwriting policy development, credit appetite discussions and process improvement initiatives
• Work closely with the senior credit team, sales function and operations to ensure high-quality lending outcomes

The Candidate

You will be an experienced credit professional who has operated in a demanding, high-volume or complex lending environment. You think analytically, make decisions confidently and can articulate your reasoning clearly to internal and external stakeholders.

• Proven experience in SME lending, commercial credit, asset finance, specialist business finance or equivalent challenger/fintech lending environments
• Strong analytical capability - comfortable interpreting financial accounts, credit data, bureau outputs and risk modelling inputs
• Experience operating with meaningful delegated sanctioning authority
• Able to make and stand behind independent credit decisions under time pressure
• Commercial awareness - understands how lending decisions influence portfolio performance and business growth
• Degree-educated or equivalent intellectual profile (strong analytical A-levels and demonstrable career achievement considered)
• Unrestricted right to work in the UK

Target Backgrounds

Professionals from specialist SME lenders, new challenger banks, fintech lending platforms and technology-enabled business finance environments are particularly encouraged to apply. Asset finance, commercial finance, motor finance and retail banking backgrounds are also highly relevant where candidates have developed strong analytical and judgement-based underwriting skills.

Salary & Benefits

• £50,000 - £70,000 DOE basic salary (dependent on experience and current sanctioning authority)
• Annual performance bonus
• Private healthcare
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Life assurance
• Long-term progression into underwriting leadership and credit management
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