Graduate Underwriter

Location:

Swiss Cottage, London (Hybrid Available)

Salary:

£35k - £40k

Hours:

9:30 - 17:30

Reporting To:

Credit Manager

Job Type:

Full Time/Graduate Scheme

The Company

KSEYE Group is an established finance company specialising in the bridging, development, and short-term lending markets. Due to continued growth, the company is now excited to launch its first-ever Graduate Scheme. The company will be seeking to hire two graduates who will be fast-tracked through the progression routes to eventually become a Senior Underwriter within 3 years (approx.).

Starting as a Graduate Case Manager, you will be a problem solver, ambitious, innovative, with exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to quickly understand the company's lending policy, scope, and lending appetite.

This is a structured graduate programme, designed to develop a high-potential graduate into a Senior Underwriter with a lending mandate within approximately 36 months. You will be given suitable training throughout the scheme, from direct, the wider, management team, and from the company's leadership team.

Stage 1: Graduate Case Manager (06 Months)

Responsibilities:

• Assist in managing loan files and conducting credit, AML, and compliance checks.
• Maintain accurate notes and records for each application.
• Provide regular updates to brokers, valuers, clients, and solicitors.
• Identify risks, red flags, and missing documentation.
• Support underwriting decisions through accurate data collection.
• Manage a pipeline of cases to ensure swift progression.
• Assist in handovers to the servicing team.
• Maintain loan filing systems and suggest process improvements.

Stage 2: Case Manager (612 Months)

Additional Responsibilities:

• Independently manage a higher-volume pipeline.
• Assess property, borrower, and security information for risk.
• Identify applications requiring underwriter intervention.
• Liaise with stakeholders to resolve complex issues.
• Improve document quality and contribute to streamlined workflows.
• In addition to the responsibilities outlined in Stage 1.

Stage 3: Junior Underwriter (1218 Months)

Responsibilities:

• Support full underwriting of bridging loan applications.
• Prepare sections of credit papers and support pricing and structuring.
• Identify and mitigate risks including fraud and money laundering.
• Engage with brokers, valuers, and solicitors as the underwriting contact.
• Maintain high-quality record keeping.
• In addition to the responsibilities outlined in Stage 1 & 2.

Stage 4: Underwriter (1830 Months)

Responsibilities:

• Independently underwrite bridging loans within criteria.
• Prepare complete, high-standard credit papers and recommendations.
• Structure and price new enquiries.
• Manage cases from enquiry to completion.
• Review and approve loan documentation.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and internal policies.
• Apply commercial judgement in decision making.

Stage 5: Senior Underwriter (3036 Months+)

Responsibilities:

• Hold a minimum £1m lending mandate.
• Make independent lending decisions with minimal oversight.
• Mentor junior underwriters and case managers.
• Lead on complex or high-value cases.
• Represent underwriting in internal and external meetings.
• Ensure adherence to best practice and regulatory standards.
• In addition to the responsibilities outlined in Stage 3 & 4.

Education & Skills

• 1.1 or 2.1 degree from a UK University in a relevant subject.
• Strong communication and organisation skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Commercial awareness and problem-solving capability.
• Keen interest in finance, property, lending, and banking.
• No prior experience is required for this position. However, internships, work experience, voluntary experience, and/or paid experience will be considered in addition to an educational background.

Company Benefits

• Private Medical Insurance (Vitality)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Discretionary Annual Bonus
• Holiday Buy-Back Scheme
• Hybrid Working
• Monthly, Summer & Winter Socials
• Employee of the Month Awards

Disclaimer: Please note, that whilst the scheme aims to progress candidates with the above timeframes and given the structured training plan, the company will review individual candidate performance periodically and progress will be considered based on the ability to complete the current/future stages, understanding of the role and company and whether specific KPIs have been achieved. The company cannot guarantee progression if the aforementioned criterion has not been achieved.

Equal Opportunities: KSEYE Group is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.