Head of Credit

Head of Credit | Bridging & Development Finance | Hybrid/Remote | Competitive Salary DOE

Take full ownership of a lending lifecycle - from first credit decision through to redemption - and build the operational engine behind it.

About the Company

Our client is a specialist property lender providing bridging and development finance from £100,000 to £5 million across the UK, covering both residential and commercial opportunities. Privately owned and led by accessible, hands-on decision-makers, they have built a strong reputation for speed, flexibility and a genuinely personal service to brokers and borrowers alike. As the business continues to grow, they are strengthening their leadership team with the appointment of a Head of Credit.

About the Role

The quality of every lending decision depends on how consistently it is executed - through completion, ongoing loan management and eventual redemption. This newly-shaped Head of Credit role sits at the centre of that process, combining credit leadership with full ownership of lending operations. You will assess, structure and approve lending within policy and risk appetite, oversee the live loan book, and drive the systems, processes and people that support a scalable, high-performing lending function.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess, structure and approve lending within Credit Policy, delegated authorities and risk appetite, presenting clear recommendations to Credit Committee
• Maintain robust underwriting standards and proactively shape and enhance credit policy
• Oversee the live loan book, including monitoring, exits, arrears, extensions and stressed cases
• Identify emerging risks early and feed portfolio lessons back into future lending decisions
• Own the lending journey end-to-end, from application through to completion, servicing and redemption
• Improve handovers, turnaround times and accountability across Sales, Credit and Loan Management
• Enhance lending processes, controls, workflows and management information, building greater automation and a scalable operating model
• Lead and develop the Credit and Loan Management teams, including capacity planning, quality assurance, training and succession planning
• Report to the Commercial Director and Finance Director on credit performance, portfolio risk and operational efficiency
• Support Board reporting, funder reviews, audits and due-diligence exercises

Package

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience
• Hybrid/remote working

Skills & Experience

• Proven track record in a senior credit role within bridging and development finance
• Strong technical understanding of credit risk, underwriting and UK property lending
• Confident presenting to Credit Committee and Board-level stakeholders
• Experience managing a live loan book
• Proven leadership of credit and/or loan management teams
• A collaborative approach, working closely with Sales, Finance and senior leadership
• A process-driven mindset, with experience improving systems, controls and management
• Excellent judgement and pragmatism, balancing commercial outcomes with sound risk management

Why Apply?

This is genuine ownership of a business-critical function, not just a seat at the table, with a direct line to the Commercial and Finance Directors and real influence over strategy.

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