Head of Credit

Head of Credit

Specialist Property Lender London

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a Head of Credit to join one of the most exciting new lenders entering the UK property finance market.

This lender has an established and highly successful international presence, including a £1.8 billion property lending platform in Sydney, and is now expanding into London. Backed by significant institutional funding from major American banks, the business is positioned to rapidly become a major force within the UK specialist lending market.

This is a rare opportunity to join a lender at an early stage and play a key role in shaping the credit function of a fast-growing specialist lender.

The Role

The Head of Credit will take responsibility for advising the Credit Committee and overseeing the full credit function across development and bridging finance transactions.

This role will suit a highly technical credit professional with deep experience in development finance and bridging finance, who can operate at a senior strategic level while also maintaining strong involvement in complex deal structuring.

Typical transactions will range up to £30m, with the capability to support significantly larger deals.

The successful candidate will play a key role in building frameworks, shaping credit processes and supporting the growth of the lending platform as the UK business scales.

Key Responsibilities

• Advising the Credit Committee on all aspects of the credit function
• Leading the assessment and approval of development finance and bridging transactions
• Providing detailed credit analysis on complex lending structures
• Supporting the structuring of transactions alongside originations teams
• Reviewing and managing the existing loan portfolio, including restructures and potential defaults
• Establishing and refining credit frameworks, processes and underwriting standards
• Supporting the development of the UK lending platform as the business grows
• Working closely with originations to ensure efficient transaction flow
• Over time, building and managing a credit team

Candidate Profile

• 8-10+ years' experience in property finance credit roles
• Strong experience in development finance and bridging finance
• Previous experience as a Head of Credit, Credit Director or senior credit professional
• Strong technical underwriting and structuring ability
• Experience sitting on or advising Credit Committees
• Experience managing complex transactions
• Strong understanding of commercial real estate lending
• A collaborative and respectful leadership style

Package

• Base Salary: £150,000 - £170,000 (depending on experience)
• Bonus: Discretionary
• Holiday: 25 days, increasing annually up to 30 days
• Pension: 5% employer contribution
• Private Medical: Bupa (cover for employee + 50% spouse cover)
• Death in Service: 4x salary
• Critical Illness Cover
• Working Pattern: 4 days in the office / 1 day from home