Senior Lending Director

Senior Lending Director

Job Description:

As the Senior Lending Director, you will have the responsibility of spearheading, planning, and executing underwriting and appraisal functions across multiple business units and channels, including Correspondent Delegated and Non-Delegated, Portfolio Lending, and Retail Lending. In addition, you will oversee the development, performance management, and strategic direction of underwriters and underwriting managers within the lending organization. This role is responsible for defining, implementing, and continuously refining the vision and strategic approach for underwriting divisions at AmeriHome, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and risk tolerance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build, lead, and empower high-performing credit operations teams that effectively balance sales, underwriting, and risk management. Establish departmental goals and implement strong controls and procedures to ensure timely and accurate underwriting, appraisal, and loan reviews while maintaining high standards of credit quality, service excellence, and operational efficiency. Develop and mentor Underwriters, Underwriting Managers, and the Scenario Desk team.
• Direct operational strategy and capacity planning for Correspondent and Retail Lending divisions, aligning staffing and resources with production forecasts and financial objectives. Champion process improvement initiatives designed to enhance service levels, reduce cost per loan, and preserve loan quality.
• Partner with product and technology teams to design and deploy new products and digital capabilities, including automation and AI-driven tools, to strengthen underwriting consistency, increase efficiency, reduce cycle times, and improve the overall lender, client, and borrower experience across channels.
• Identify and leverage strategic opportunities by utilizing existing resources and strengthening relationships with clients and business partners. Participate in strategic planning and execution to achieve divisional goals and deliver regular performance reporting and metrics during Monthly Business Reviews.
• Lead teams responsible for recruitment, coaching, performance management, training, and professional development initiatives.

What You’ll Need:

• 15+ years of experience in residential mortgage loan underwriting.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• 8+ years of residential mortgage underwriting management experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity.
• Experience working with digital mortgage platforms and automation tools.
• Advanced knowledge of the residential mortgage industry in Correspondent or Retail Lending, including sales operations, capital markets, and a broad range of mortgage products and services.
• Strong understanding of federal and state regulatory compliance requirements, including TRID, ECOA, HMDA, FCRA, Flood, HOEPA, HPML, Appraisal, ATR/QM, TCPA, UDAAP, and Fair Lending.
• Extensive knowledge of mortgage lending principles and underwriting guidelines, including FHA, VA, and conventional loan programs, loan processing standards, and automated underwriting systems (AUS).
• Advanced proficiency in mortgage banking technology, including Encompass (LOS), AUS platforms, core systems, and Microsoft Office products.
• Direct Endorsement (DE) or Staff Appraisal Reviewer (SAR) designation required.
• Occasional travel required.

Benefits You’ll Enjoy:

• Competitive salary package
• Equity or ownership opportunity in the company
• Comprehensive medical insurance
• Dental insurance coverage
• Paid time off
• Generous 401(k) matching program
• Tuition assistance program
• Employee volunteer program
• Wellness program
• Hands-on exposure to operational and financial strategies of successful organizations
• Opportunities to expand business expertise and advance your professional career

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