This is a Fixed Term Contract for 7 - 9 months The Pepper Money Underwriting Operations team consists of First Charge and Second Charge Mortgage applications. The Mandated Underwriting team supports Pepper Money by assessing the risk of lending and protecting the business against risk and losses whilst working with our broker partners bringing the human difference to our product offering, delivering a 5 service experience. The role purpose is to operate as an effective member of the Mandated Underwriting team, reviewing, approving and offering secured loans within lending authority and in accordance with the Company’s written policies and procedures. It is essential that the successful candidate can work effectively, managing their day-to-day workload to ensure that offers are made in line with business timescales. We operate a hybrid working model, with a split of three days to be in the office and two days at home. Our offices are based in Cardiff, London and Manchester. What you will be doing You’ll be reporting into an Underwriting Manager alongside a team of Mandated Underwriters, where you will have the opportunity to progress first charge mortgage applications, providing dependable decisions within your assigned mandate level all whilst taking a common sense approach to manual underwriting. Underwrite and decision mortgage applications ensuring that the loan is affordable, plausible and sustainable whilst complying with all regulatory and conduct risk in adherence to lending policy. To ensure all decisions are made within regulatory standards and are adhered to throughout the process and in all contact with customers, brokers and third parties, whilst, aligning with business needs and delivering to the lending risk strategy. To compose logical and accurate lending rationales for all cases reviewed and consider and recommend mortgage applications outside standard lending policy where a justifiable business reason exists, whilst agreeing exceptions within mandate. To minimise the risk to the business and the applicant with a strong focus on fraud avoidance. Meet agreed SLA’s and KPI’s for the decision-making element of mortgage applications at the point of offer To provide a high level of customer service at all stages of an application to both internal and external customers Build rapport with internal teams to ensure best outcomes are achieved To maintain and demonstrate an awareness of external factors and market conditions which may affect underwriting decision making. To comply with and / or ensure compliance with all Pepper Money data protection policies. To recommend changes and / or improvements to policies and procedures. Take ownership of personal performance, mandate progression and support initiatives/tasks and development within the Underwriting teams What we are looking for Considerable experience in mortgage lending as an underwriter Demonstrable Lending mandate of £250,000 as a minimum Specialist Lending would be advantageous Ability to delve as deeply as necessary into cases whilst at the same time displaying empathy with brokers, distributors and customers by making right first-time decisions Demonstrable experience in the end-to-end mortgage journey of processing, valuation, validation, risk decisions, offer conditions (UK Finance Lenders Handbook) and post-completion needs of employed and self-employed applicants for both residential and BTL applications and securities Experience of calculating income for self-employed applicants i.e., accounts Competence of underwriting Residential affordable housing propositions i.e., Help to Buy, Shared Ownership etc. Regulatory knowledge, FCA, TCF, MCOB (MMR changes) Full understanding of DPR system, broker and customer journey advantageous to support continued improvement of the originations system, processes and procedures Strong communication skills verbal and written. Ability to balance productivity and quality, and be passionate about delivering a first-class customer service Ability to work on both one’s own initiative and to be a good team player. Some of the benefits we provide are: Competitive salaries and bonus schemes Hybrid Home Office flexible working arrangements Regular training and opportunities to learn and grow 25 days’ holiday & bank holidays and birthday off Private Medical Insurance cover with BUPA Personal pension scheme with generous matched company contributions In return for your commitment, you’ll have the chance to develop your career in a dynamic environment, working alongside top talent and an exceptional leadership team. If you want to be involved in our exciting expansion plans and have the chance to really shape and influence the way the business grows then we’d love to hear from you. We also want our people to feel a sense of belonging at Pepper Money. We are committed to meeting our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion charter, further information can be found on the Careers section on our website.