Process Manager

Management Roles Loan Processing Manager

Overview : The Loan Processing Manager is responsible for leading, managing, and developing a team of Loan Coordinators / Processors to ensure efficient, accurate, and compliant processing of mortgage loan applications. This role focuses on optimizing workflows, maintaining quality standards, and ensuring timely submission of loan files to underwriting, while upholding all Bank policies and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities :

Team Leadership & Management :

Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of Loan Coordinators / Processors.

Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, performance reviews, and provide constructive feedback.

Oversee daily operations, workload distribution, and pipeline management for the processing team.

Foster a collaborative and high-performance team environment.

Process Optimization & Efficiency :

Monitor processing workflows and identify areas for efficiency improvements and automation.

Develop and implement best practices for document collection, verification, and file preparation.

Ensure timely follow-up on third-party documentation (appraisals, VOEs, title, insurance).

Manage the team's capacity to meet service level agreements (SLAs) for processing turnaround times.

Quality & Compliance Oversight :

Conduct regular quality control reviews of processed loan files to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to underwriting submission.

Ensure strict adherence to all Bank compliance policies and procedures, including those related to the SAFE Act and TRID.

Stay updated on industry regulations and changes, disseminating critical information to the team.

Address and resolve complex processing issues and escalations.

Training & Development :

Identify training needs for the team and develop or facilitate training programs.

Ensure all team members are proficient in using relevant mortgage tools and applications (e.G., LOS, POS).

Promote continuous learning and professional development within the team.

Cross-Functional Collaboration :

Act as a key liaison between the processing team, loan officers, underwriting, and closing departments to ensure seamless file flow and resolve inter-departmental issues.

Collaborate with sales and operations leadership to align on business goals and process improvements.

Qualifications :

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).

Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in mortgage loan processing, with at least 2-3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.

In-depth knowledge of residential mortgage loan products, documentation (1003), and the full loan processing lifecycle.

Strong understanding of federal and state mortgage regulations (e.G., SAFE Act, TRID, RESPA).

Proficiency with Loan Origination Systems (LOS) such as Encompass, and other mortgage-specific software.

Exceptional leadership, coaching, and team-building skills.

Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Underwriting Manager

Overview : The Underwriting Manager is responsible for leading and managing a team of Underwriters, ensuring the consistent application of credit and property guidelines, prudent risk assessment, and efficient decisioning of mortgage loans. This role focuses on maintaining underwriting quality, compliance integrity, and departmental productivity, while also serving as a subject matter expert for complex loan scenarios.

Key Responsibilities :

Team Leadership & Development :

Lead, coach, and develop a team of Mortgage Underwriters, fostering a culture of accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide ongoing feedback, and identify professional development opportunities.

Manage underwriter capacity, allocate workloads, and monitor turnaround times to meet departmental SLAs.

Promote best practices in credit and property analysis.

Underwriting Quality & Risk Management :

Conduct comprehensive second-level reviews of loan decisions and conditions made by the team, ensuring adherence to Bank policy, investor guidelines, and regulatory requirements.

Identify and mitigate potential risks associated with loan applications, property conditions, and credit profiles.

Develop and implement quality control measures to ensure consistency and accuracy in underwriting decisions.

Serve as the escalation point for complex underwriting scenarios and exceptions.

Compliance & Regulatory Adherence :

Ensure the underwriting team strictly adheres to all federal and state mortgage lending regulations, including Fair Lending, HMDA, ECOA, and TRID.

Stay abreast of changes in regulatory requirements and internal / investor guidelines, communicating updates and training the team accordingly.

Collaborate with the compliance department on audits and policy updates.

Process Improvement :

Analyze underwriting processes to identify bottlenecks and areas for efficiency gains.

Work with operations and technology teams to optimize the use of Automated Underwriting Systems (AUS) and other underwriting tools.

Contribute to the refinement of internal underwriting guidelines and policies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration :

Collaborate closely with Loan Processing, Loan Officer, and Closing teams to resolve complex loan issues and ensure smooth file progression.

Provide expert guidance and training to other departments on underwriting guidelines and requirements.

Qualifications :

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).

Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in mortgage underwriting, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership or management capacity.

Extensive knowledge of conventional and potentially other niche mortgage products and their respective underwriting guidelines.

Expertise in credit analysis, income / asset analysis, and property appraisal review.

Proficiency with Automated Underwriting Systems (e.G., Fannie Mae DU, Freddie Mac LPA) and Loan Origination Systems (LOS) like Encompass.

Demonstrated ability to make sound, high-stakes credit decisions.

Exceptional leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex underwriting concepts clearly.

Awareness of DE and / or SAR designations are highly preferred.