Lead Underwriter

Job Title: Lead Underwriter

Employment type: Permanent, Full time

Location: Gardens, Cape Town

Reporting to: Head of Function

Working Setup: Hybrid, Office-based 3 days per week, 40 hours per week, Mondays to Fridays, 10:00 to 19:00

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The Business:
At Funding Bay, we are a fast-growing fintech company dedicated to helping UK businesses access finance solutions easily and efficiently. As a leading accredited introducer, we connect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a diverse panel of over 250 lenders. We are committed to providing a simple and efficient platform for businesses to access commercial finance.

The Role:
We are looking for an experienced Commercial Finance professional to lead and develop our growing analysis team. Our analysts are the central point of expertise for our broker partners; when an application arrives, this team doesn't just process it - they add value by identifying the most effective lending solutions available across the market.

This role is ideal for a seasoned underwriter or credit specialist who enjoys mentoring talent and has a deep understanding of the UK commercial lending landscape. You will be responsible for ensuring our team provides high-quality, consultative support to brokers, helping them navigate complex products and lender criteria.

Core Purpose:

Team Development

• Manage and mentor three junior Commercial Finance Analysts, supporting their professional growth and technical training.

• Provide guidance on complex cases, helping the team build strong foundational knowledge in underwriting and financial analysis.

• Monitor workflows to ensure the team operates efficiently while maintaining high standards of accuracy.

Market Expertise & Consultation

• Act as a subject matter expert on UK lenders and their specific product criteria.

• Analyse financial statements of clients and identify suitable lenders based on their profiles.

• Review applications to identify strategic opportunities - ensuring we suggest the best-fit lenders and products for every scenario.

• Work closely with brokers to provide expert insights, helping them optimize their applications for successful outcomes.

Applications:

• Assist in the packaging and processing of funding applications to lenders.

• Support brokers by gathering and organising necessary documents for funding submissions.

Skills and Experience Required:

• University Graduate with a relevant qualification (eg BCom)

• Substantial experience in UK commercial underwriting or credit analysis; this is essential. 

• Comprehensive knowledge of the UK commercial finance market

• Experience (or a strong desire) to coach and lead junior team members

• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines

• Strong numerical skills

• Professional and clear communication skills, with a collaborative mindset

• Ability to learn and work in a fast-paced and challenging environment

• Confident, proactive and positive outlook

Compensation Package:

Base Salary: Average monthly base salary: Based on experience.

Bonus Incentive: We operate a Group Bonus Scheme based on quarterly performance, effective in the first full quarter after probation. There are five set objectives per quarter, with a bonus pool of up to 10% of your total basic salary earned during that period. If the employee meets all five objectives, they will receive 10% of their total quarterly salary.

Medical Aid: Upon successful completion of the probation period, you will qualify for subsidised employer medical aid through Discovery Health Medical Aid.