My client is a non-bank lender who provides development finance and bridging finance.

Overview

As part of the Credit Team, this role will be critical in the appraisal, underwriting and ongoing management of loans. The position will have full ownership of the entire Credit Management process for an allocated portfolio, ensuring effective collaboration with the Origination Team, Credit Committee, clients and external advisors to take loans from initial enquiry through to redemption.

Responsibilities

Strategic Orientation:

• Provide the Head of Credit Risk and Credit Committee with independent expert advice on credit risk matters
• Provide sound commercial reasoning and judgement to Committee members, confidently answering technical and commercial queries and providing experience-based insight
• Responsible for ensuring the company adheres to its policies and processes and achieves “Best in Class” standards of underwriting, loan monitoring and loan management
• Work with originators, analysts and Head of Lending to ensure credit papers include appropriate risk assessment and risk mitigants
• Ensure the portfolio is managed proactively and rigorously with the aim of zero loan defaults
• Take responsibility for projects relating to Credit Risk Management, helping to improve efficiencies and the credit decision making process
• As part of the Credit Team, contribute to the development of and ongoing improvements to Origination and Portfolio Management processes and procedures, Credit Risk Management Information and reporting, and Portfolio Reporting
• Undertake ad-hoc tasks and projects as requested by the Head of Credit Risk and/or the CEO

Loan Origination:

• Work with originators and analysts to ensure credit papers are consistent and thorough and present high-quality analysis of lending opportunities
• Review allocated appetite papers presented by the Lending Team and provide input to discussions and decisions
• Review allocated credit backing papers presented by the Lending Team, providing analysis, constructive challenge, feedback and input to the decision making process/forum, including suggestions for alternative terms, conditions and areas of focus for due diligence for example
• Review allocated final credit proposals (including valuation reports and monitoring surveyor reports where applicable), providing input and recommendations to Credit Committee
• Prepare clear, concise minutes reflecting Credit Backing forum and Credit Committee discussions and decisions/outcomes
• Support the analysts and originators through the borrower and loan due diligence process and act as final sign-off on legal due diligence, facility and security documentation, supplementary documentation such as collateral warranties and insurances, and ensuring all KYC requirements are in place for sign-off by the MLRO

Loan Management:

• Responsible for the monitoring and management of allocated Development and Refurbishment facilities in conjunction with the borrower and associated professionals, including monthly site visits and compliance with facility conditions, covenants and milestones
• Responsibility for and management of interim drawdowns, ensuring compliance with conditions precedent in conjunction with the analyst/originator where necessary
• Ensure all requests and payments for interim drawdowns are managed diligently and satisfactorily, including (not exhaustive):

o Review of Project Monitoring Surveyors reports

o Assessment of requested drawdowns against facility terms and expectations

o Recommendations on pre-payment requests and usage of contingencies

o Follow up of any outstanding matters (e.g. insurances)

o Administration of project cash flow, disbursement of funds and obtaining relevant sign offs/approvals

• Responsible for the monitoring and management of allocated Bridging facilities, including liaising with the borrower and associated professionals such as Sales Agents, to ensure compliance with any conditions, covenants and milestones and the timely repayment of facilities

Loan and Portfolio Monitoring:

• As a member of the Credit Team (and in conjunction with Originators where appropriate):

o Manage and control monthly Loan Monitoring Reports and presentation of reports to the Senior Management Team and Credit Committee

o Monitor and flag early warning signs of deteriorating customer credit profiles

o Monitor loan maturity dates, ensuring early engagement with Borrowers and avoiding past due facilities

o Manage the process for loan extensions or full internal refinance of facilities, including liaising with Borrowers and external professionals as required, proposals to Credit Committee for approval (including relevant terms and conditions), documentation and closing

o Manage Watch List and workout/restructuring cases in order to maximize recovery or remedy default

o Manage Credit Grading of the portfolio on a dynamic basis and report accordingly

Compliance:

• Adhere to both legal and regulatory requirements as necessary

What you will Bring

• Ideally 5+ years credit risk experience within a real estate lending environment
• Deep understanding of the UK residential property development finance market
• Ability to assume responsibility and accountability for decision making
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills
• Able to work to tight deadlines and manage the expectations of others effectively
• Exceptional attention to detail, rigorous and methodical in their approach
• Proactive approach to credit risk management, monitoring and process enhancement

Salary: up to £85k (depending on experience plus bonus

Location: West End (full time)