Underwriting Team Leader

Underwriting Team Leader – Property Finance (Bridging & Development Lending) Location: Borehamwood Salary: Up to £80,000 Are you an experienced underwriting professional with a strong background in bridging and short term property finance? Do you have the leadership skills to guide and develop a high-performing underwriting function within a fast-growing lender? If so, this could be the perfect next step in your career. I’m currently supporting a well-established and highly respected property investment and lending business that is continuing to expand its specialist finance offering. With a strong pipeline, an ambitious leadership team, and a reputation for delivering quick, commercial decisions, they are now looking for an Underwriting Team Leader to drive quality, efficiency, and consistency across their underwriting operations. The Role: As Underwriting Team Leader, you will: * Manage and mentor a team of underwriters handling bridging, refurbishment and development finance cases. * Act as a senior decision-maker on complex or higher-value applications. * Ensure underwriting standards, SLAs, and risk controls remain robust while supporting a fast-paced environment. * Work closely with credit, operations, BDMs and senior management to streamline processes and maintain exceptional service levels. * Support continuous improvement across the underwriting function as the business scales. About You: The ideal candidate will bring: * Proven experience in property-based lending—specifically bridging, development or specialist real-estate finance. * Strong understanding of risk assessment, due diligence, legal processes and property-backed security. * Prior experience coaching or managing underwriters (or ready to take a step up). * A commercial mindset with the ability to balance speed and quality. * Please note: candidates from an insurance underwriting background will not be suitable for this role. Why Apply? This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic lender where your expertise will genuinely shape the underwriting function. You’ll be part of a collaborative culture where decisions are made quickly, ideas are welcomed, and progression is actively supported. If you’re ready to lead an underwriting team within a thriving property-finance environment, I’d be delighted to discuss the role further. Please apply online or contact Lesley Ray at Unico Recruitment London