Underwriter - Specialist Underwriting

The Opportunity

Shawbrook provides finance to a wide range of customer segments that value the premium experience, flexibility and certainly we deliver. We are a purpose-led organisation, with a focus on delivering long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.

We have a diversified offering, with our innovative lending propositions tailored to meet specific customer needs in carefully selected markets across SME, Real Estate and Personal. Our products range from complex structured credit facilities for growth-focused businesses to mortgages for professional landlords and property investors, as well as simple loans for consumers delivered digitally. We fuel our lending through customer deposits, which we attract by delivering a premium experience, choice and consistently great value to smart savers.

The business model we have created is unique and difficult to replicate, with our ‘best of both’ approach combining deep human expertise with advanced digital, tech and data capabilities. This combination not only allows us to deliver excellent customer experiences, but to do so efficiently and at scale. We are proud of our innovative and agile culture, which drives consistently high employee engagement scores and makes Shawbrook an attractive destination for the best talent. If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves, contribute new ideas and believe anything is possible, you’re our kind of person.

Work with us because you:

• Want to be part of a bank built for the dynamics of the modern world

• Relish a challenge and enjoy a fast-paced, innovative and hardworking culture

• Enjoy finding new and better ways to solve complexity and make things happen

• Want to belong to a diverse culture that stands shoulder to shoulder with minority and underrepresented groups

• Care about society and the environment and want to be part of a business that cares too

• Want to continue to grow professionally and be the best version of yourself

The Role & Responsibilities

• To work as a member of the Underwriting Teams in order to deliver the origination levels required by the Division

• The role specialises in larger, complex transactions (£1.25m+) and requires extensive interaction with key stakeholders including Group Risk, Head of Underwriting, National Sales Manager and members of both Complex Deal Forum and Credit Approval Committee

• Responsibilities include the writing of detailed credit papers for submission to Group.

• To deliver favorable customer outcomes in terms of credit assessment and customer experience

• To analyse and understand credit risks being presented and ensure both Asset Class Policies and Lending Policies are understood and respected across First and Second Lines of Defense

• To embed both the Bank and Division’s Risk Management Framework within all activities within the underwriting teams

• The role holder will be required to exercise a delegated lending authority initially of up to £1.25m and participate in ad hoc projects as required

• Accountability for all individually assigned cases and mentoring/advising less experienced underwriter colleagues in reviewing and assessing their respective pipelines

• To act as a subject matter expert for Credit Risk within the Underwriting and Completions teams, engaging with all stakeholders to support the achievement of applicable objectives.

• To communicate and escalate potential issues/risks in a prompt and effective manner.

• To report all issues of regulatory concern to the Senior Manager and/or Head of Underwriting, and/or the, Director, Real Estate Underwriting and Completions, or the Bank Legal and Compliance Departments.

• Ensure complete data integrity and adherence to process.

The Person

• Strong experience in Commercial and residential investment Property.

• Deep and broad business and financial acumen

• Significant industry knowledge in the Commercial Property market including a deep understanding of lending practices in that sector, structures, risks, covenant requirements, pricing and competition.

• Demonstrable ability to under commercial analysis of a business both in terms of financial and non-financial aspects.

• Excellent customer service, presentation and negotiation skills

• Experience in executive level reporting on strategic initiatives.

• Thorough comprehension of credit risk management, credit administration, loan production and servicing.

• Proven credit-underwriting skills within either banking or finance industry

• Compliance with all regulatory requirements, remaining in good standing with regulatory agencies.

• Strong commercial, financial acumen and capability in strategic thinking, executive level reporting and effective business planning

• Strong customer/intermediary and market insight

• Knowledge of Consumer Credit Act and Data Protection Act

• Computer literate (good knowledge of MS Office Suite – Excel, Word, Power-Point)

• Knowledge of TCF

Reward

Your Wellbeing - We take your health and well-being very seriously by providing a range of benefits to give you and your family peace of mind. These include:

• Market leading family friendly policies such as access to our Maternity, Adoption and Paternity policies from Day 1 of your employment

• Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness & meditation digital health app

• Free access to Peppy digital health app that offers personalised support through fertility treatment becoming a parent or menopause

• EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) - Offering you support on a wide range of subjects including financial concerns, mental wellbeing and more general queries around family, work, housing, and health

• Cycle to work scheme

• Discounts on gym membership

• Contributory pension scheme & death in service

Your Lifestyle - It’s important you strike the right balance between your work and personal life. We provide benefits to support you when at work and when you’re enjoying your leisure time.

• Minimum of 27 days holiday per year

• Option to buy or sell holiday days through our flexi-holiday scheme

• Discounts on gym membership nationwide

• Access to discounts on a range of high street and online brands

• Community support and charitable giving

Your Contribution - We’re focused on rewarding those that go the extra mile in helping us achieve our goals.

• Participation in our annual discretionary bonus scheme designed to reward your contribution to our success

• Proudly Shawbrook recognition scheme focused on recognising our role models and thanking our colleagues for a job well done