Specialist Lending | Hybrid | Senior Leadership Role

Our client, a growing specialist mortgage lender, is looking for an experienced Underwriting Team Manager to lead its mortgage processing and underwriting function.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You’ll manage performance, own workflow and still operate as a Senior Underwriter, approving cases within mandate.

If you understand BTL, Residential lending, credit risk and specialist underwriting — and you’re confident leading a team — this is a serious opportunity.

You will:

• Lead and develop the Underwriting & Mortgage Processing teams
• Conduct 1-2-1s, performance management and productivity oversight
• Manage pipeline allocation and service levels
• Underwrite and approve Buy to Let and Residential mortgage applications
• Complete 2nd reviews on team cases
• Ensure lending aligns with credit risk policy, compliance and regulation
• Own departmental processes and continuous improvement
• Support MI reporting and operational strategy
• Liaise with compliance and third-party servicing partners

This is a key role in maintaining underwriting quality, governance and customer outcomes.

Essential:

• Strong experience in Mortgage Underwriting (BTL and/or Residential)
• Experience managing or mentoring underwriting or case management teams
• In-depth understanding of credit risk, lending policy and compliance
• Ability to operate within mandate and justify decisions clearly

Desirable:

• Specialist lending experience
• Exposure to intermediary-led mortgage models
• Experience improving underwriting processes or systems

• Bonus scheme (up to 10%)
• Hybrid working (3 days from home)
• Private medical insurance
• Life cover (4x salary)
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + Christmas closure
• Pension
• Clear progression within a scaling lender

If you’re currently a Senior Underwriter, Underwriting Manager or Mortgage Operations Manager and want real ownership in a specialist lending environment — this is worth a conversation.