Bridging Underwriter - #2188457

Senior Bridging Underwriter

Northreach is a dynamic recruitment agency connecting businesses with top talent across financial services, fintech and technology. We specialise in providing a seamless recruitment experience for clients and candidates while supporting professional growth.

Bridging & Development Finance Underwriter

Birmingham | Hybrid

Northreach is partnering with a specialist, property finance lender to recruit an experienced Underwriter for its bridging and development finance team.

This is an opportunity to join a small, highly experienced lending business where underwriters have genuine ownership and visibility. You will manage transactions from initial enquiry through to completion and remain involved during the life of the loan.

The business is looking for someone who can apply independent judgement, challenge information where appropriate and form their own view of a property, borrower and proposed transaction.

The role

You will take full ownership of a varied bridging and development finance caseload, working closely with brokers, borrowers, valuers, solicitors and the internal Credit Committee.

Rather than simply underwriting against a checklist, you will undertake your own market analysis, challenge valuations and assess whether the borrower, property and exit strategy form a credible lending proposition.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing bridging and development finance transactions from initial enquiry through to completion.
• Assessing residential, semi-commercial and commercial property transactions.
• Reviewing borrower structures, credit information, valuations, planning documents, development costs and proposed exit strategies.
• Conducting independent market research, including local demand, comparable evidence and price-per-square-foot analysis.
• Challenging valuation assumptions and identifying potential risks or inconsistencies.
• Assessing the borrower’s experience, credibility and ability to deliver the proposed project.
• Preparing detailed credit papers and presenting recommendations to the Credit Committee.
• Instructing valuers and working closely with solicitors to progress transactions.
• Undertaking site visits where required.
• Maintaining ownership of completed loans and supporting the management of any emerging issues.
• Building strong, commercially focused relationships with brokers and other professional partners.
• Contributing to the continued development of the lender’s underwriting standards and processes.

What we’re looking for

You will have experience underwriting bridging, refurbishment or development finance within a specialist lender, bank, building society or property finance business.

You will also bring:

• A strong understanding of the complete bridging finance lifecycle.
• Experience managing cases from initial enquiry through to completion.
• The ability to analyse valuations, property markets, borrower structures and exit strategies independently.
• Strong credit judgement and the confidence to challenge brokers, borrowers and professional reports.
• Experience preparing clear credit papers and presenting lending recommendations.
• A practical, commercially aware approach to complex or non-standard transactions.
• Strong communication and relationship-management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and personal ownership of your caseload.
• The ability to work effectively within a small, collaborative team.

Experience in development finance, including assessing build costs, planning, feasibility and development exit strategies, would be particularly valuable.

The position would suit someone who wants to remain close to transactions, take greater ownership of their work and have a visible impact within a growing specialist lender.

Interested?

Apply with your CV or contact James Morris at Northreach for a confidential conversation.