Senior Second Charge Mortgage Underwriter

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Mortgage Underwriter to join our growing underwriting team as we continue to build and scale our secured lending proposition.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly formed team working on a new second charge mortgage product within Abound. You’ll play an important role in shaping the underwriting process, influencing how policy is applied, and supporting the development of a modern underwriting function as the business grows.

We’re not looking for someone who simply follows a tick-box process. We want people who can use sound judgement, think commercially, and make balanced lending decisions while still delivering good customer outcomes.

In this senior role, you’ll independently assess and underwrite both standard and complex second charge mortgage applications in line with our credit policy, UK regulatory requirements, and responsible lending standards. You’ll review credit data, affordability, income, and property security while making fair, informed, and defensible decisions.

As the team continues to grow, there will also be opportunities to help improve processes, suggest new ideas, mentor less experienced team members, and contribute to how the function develops over time.

What You'll Be Doing

• Assess standard and complex second charge mortgage applications using Open Banking data, credit reference agency information, and supporting documentation to evaluate creditworthiness and risk.
• Be a go to expert to make final decisions. Make informed, independent underwriting decisions in line with internal policies and UK regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of underwriting policies, processes and procedures.
• Review escalated cases, provide guidance, and ensure consistent application of credit rules across the team.
• Conduct thorough fraud prevention and AML checks in line with internal controls and FCA requirements.
• Liaise with customers, brokers, solicitors and internal stakeholders to obtain, verify and explain information where required.
• Manage and progress your own underwriting pipeline efficiently while maintaining high service and quality standards.
• Mentor and support junior team members, sharing knowledge and best practice.
• Support a culture of responsible lending and strong risk awareness.
• Continue developing your underwriting knowledge and wider lending expertise.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience underwriting first or second charge mortgages — this experience must be UK-based.
• Strong understanding of working within an FCA-regulated, UK responsible lending rules, affordability assessment, MCOB requirements, fraud prevention, and AML regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in manual underwriting and assessing complex cases.
• Excellent attention to detail and sound commercial judgement.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative approach.
• Ability to manage workloads effectively and perform well under pressure.
• Comfortable working in a growing and evolving business environment.
• Relevant industry qualifications (e.g., CeMAP, CeRER, DipFA or equivalent) are highly desirable.
• Experience within specialist, non-prime, or adverse credit lending is advantageous.
• Exposure to both secured and unsecured lending products is beneficial.