Head of Underwriting - Bridging Finance

Head of Bridging Underwriting

Location: London (Office-based, 5 days per week)Salary: Up to £85,000 (Depending on Experience)Type: Full-time, Permanent

About the Company

Our client is a boutique bridging finance lender based in the heart of London, known for its tailored approach, fast decision-making, and strong relationships across the broker and property sectors. With a growing loan book and ambitions to scale further, they are now seeking an experienced Head of Bridging Underwriting to lead their underwriting department and play a pivotal role in the next stage of the company’s growth.

The Role

As Head of Bridging Underwriting, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the entire underwriting function, ensuring deals are assessed efficiently, consistently, and within the company's risk appetite. This is a hands-on role with strategic input perfect for someone who thrives in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of underwriters, ensuring high performance and adherence to lending policies

• Assess complex bridging and development loan applications across both residential and commercial assets

• Maintain and improve underwriting processes and procedures in line with industry best practices

• Act as the final sign-off for high-value or complex deals

• Work closely with senior management to align underwriting strategy with business objectives

• Ensure all loans are underwritten in compliance with regulatory and internal credit risk guidelines

• Liaise with key stakeholders including brokers, valuers, solicitors, and internal teams

• Oversee credit paper preparation and present at credit committees when necessary

• Monitor market trends and competitor activity to inform underwriting and risk strategies

Experience & Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in bridging finance underwriting, with at least 2 years in a senior or leadership role

• Strong knowledge of the UK property market, lending structures, and risk management

• Excellent communication and decision-making skills

• A proactive leader with the ability to manage multiple cases and priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Comfortable working in a boutique or SME environment with a hands-on approach

• Strong commercial awareness and sound judgement

Why Join?

• Opportunity to shape and lead the underwriting function of a growing lender

• Work directly with senior leadership and influence business strategy

• A supportive and entrepreneurial working environment

• Competitive salary up to £85,000, with potential for performance-related bonuses

If you're an experienced underwriter ready to take the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to explore this exciting opportunity to lead and grow within a dynamic lending business.

Due to the high amount of interest that we receive for each of our roles unfortunately we cannot respond to each application individually, therefore if you do not hear back from one of our consultants you have not been shortlisted for this role.

Please note that our client is an equal opportunities Employer and adheres to all relevant legislation and offer services regardless of age, race, sex, disability, or religious belief.