Director, Mortgage Underwriting

Job Description
As a Director, Home Equity Underwriting, you'll impact the lives of everyday people and help them go from surviving to thriving with innovative digital personal finance solutions. You will be responsible for the management of all activities related to the effective and efficient handling of all underwriting and loan processing of our Home Equity loan product. In this role, you will be a key member of the leadership team, providing guidance and strategic direction throughout the originations process. Specifically, you will manage teams of personnel that are tied directly to the processing of members' applications and the investigation and discovery of our members' capacity to borrow and repay debt.
Join Achieve, change the future
At Achieve, we're changing millions of lives. From the single parent trying to catch up on bills to the entrepreneur needing a loan for the next phase of growth, you'll get to be a part of their journey to a better financial future. We're proud to have over 2,700 employees in mostly hybrid and 100% remote roles across the United States with hubs in Arizona, California, and Texas. We are strategically growing our teams with more remote, work-from-home opportunities every day to better serve our members. A career at Achieve is more than a job-it's a place where you can make a true impact, have a sense of belonging, establish a fulfilling career, and put your well-being first.
What you'll do:

• Oversee all aspects of the underwriting and loan processing functions. Ensure the daily management of SLA's, full adherence to corporate policies and procedures that govern lending, as well as the attainment of budgeted expectations of the department.
• Collaborate closely with teams across the Achieve Home Loans organization to ensure the effective management of the product. This includes, but is not limited to Closing/Post Closing, Sales, Servicing, Product, Engineering, Business Intelligence, and Risk/Compliance. Take an active role as the leader of the Underwriting team to ensure that your organization is both represented, and supportive, when working with each of these key organizations.
• Ensure the highest level of adherence to all facets of credit policy, and build/measure/monitor processes within your area of influence to see that your team performs in alignment with these policies. Take regular, consistent steps to oversee this process, make recommendations for improvement where warranted, and engage in discussions over enhancements when approached by others.
• Similarly ensure the same high standards are in place relative to the delivery of a high quality product. Work with all quality assurance and quality control functions, and take steps where necessary/identified to remediate deficiencies.
• Engage with our Business Intelligence team to ensure the highest and most comprehensive level of reporting is made available relative to your area of influence. Use this data to manage and improve your business.
• Be an agent of change. Take a leadership position when it comes to enhancing the product or process by which our loans are offered and serviced. Be strategic at all times, seek out means of "getting better" and demonstrate a desire to see our product and process improve over time, providing greater value to our clients, investors, partners, and organization.
• Drive the day-to-day activities of your team. Ensure all hiring and training is completed in such a way as to employ only the best and most caring of teammates. Ensure that performance metrics are in place, that there is constant transparency around objectives, and that all team members are allowed to grow and prosper within your organization. Promote a healthy work environment at all times; provide support where needed, and work closely with support organizations, such as Human Resources, to address issues of concern.
• Partner closely with each the Product and Engineering teams to develop and drive initiatives that add value to the overall Lendage experience. Support on-time delivery of product roadmap deliverables, be collaborative when it comes to change and enhancements to the process, and be recognized as the primary driver of improvement over your area of influence.
• Support any and all activities related to the investor team. Work closely to ensure that our investor experience is always at a premium, and that any issues related to loan originations are handled quickly and capably.
• Be active and drive change as necessary as the result of defaulted loan reviews. Learn from the process, seek out ways to improve your team's delivery, and where opportunities to enhance credit policy or risk models present, be aggressive and ensure that these efforts receive your fullest support.
• Collaborate closely with all vendors as necessary. Ensure efficient management, compliance to contracted agreements, and ongoing oversight of expenses.
• Participate in the development of your annual budget, and take consistent steps to delivery at or beyond expectations. Seek out means of improved efficiency and cost, be a leader when it comes to the cost of servicing a single loan, and make recommendations broadly on how Lendage can leverage additional cost savings while not sacrificing the customer or investor experience.
• Maintain a high level of communication broadly within the organization around your area of influence. Ensure clarity of purpose and transparency around team and work efforts at all times.

What you'll bring:

• Be a change leader, someone who has a wealth of experience in changing process for the better, driving growth or efficiency in the products they serviced.
• 3-5 years of leadership level experience in managing each underwriting and processing functions in a mortgage space.
• Minimum of 5 years of practical underwriting experience. Making decisions, adhering to policies, etc.
• 15+ years of overall mortgage servicing, originations, sales or compliance experience, with a heavy focus on the home equity product.
• Easily demonstrated experience in driving a high growth environment
• Similarly, easily demonstrated experience in managing within a highly compliant space where adherence to policy and procedures has been held at a premium.
• Advanced analytic skills; able to work with data, to understand and interpret trending, and to be able to recommend appropriate fixes
• An inquisitive mind; able to consider the many sides of an issue, to ask the right questions, and to be able to reach conclusions that are actionable
• Prior experience designing, executing, and presenting quality control reviews preferred
• Exceptionally strong interpersonal skills and communication, both written and verbal.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Strong analytical skills, critical thinking and ability to interpret performance data
• Proven ability to identify and execute process improvements
• Experience working cross-functionally
• A high level of curiosity, a willingness to investigate new or trending opportunities, and to think critically about how these opportunities can be leveraged for the betterment of the Lendage team, our partners and our customers.
• Must be able to multitask; this role will require an ability to manage a vastly diverse set of initiatives
• Must be able to stay organized while working on multiple projects.
• Strong knowledge of PC skills in using both the Microsoft and Google line of office support products
• Strong knowledge of PC based programs - ability to learn quickly.
• Preferably reside within the Phoenix/Tempe metro area.

Achieve well-being with:

• Hybrid and remote work opportunities
• 401 (k) with employer match
• Medical, dental and vision with HSA and FSA
• Competitive and flexible PTO, including dedicated volunteer days
• Complete wellness support with access to Virgin Pulse, Ginger Health Coaching, and fitness discounts
• Up to $5,250 paid back to you on eligible education expenses
• Pet insurance for your furry family members
• Financial support in times of hardship with our Achieve Care Fund
• A safe place to connect with other employees through our six employee resource groups

Meet Achieve
Achieve is a leading digital personal finance company. We help everyday people move from struggling to thriving by providing innovative, personalized financial solutions. By leveraging proprietary data and analytics, our solutions are tailored for each step of our member's financial journey to include personal loans, home equity loans, debt consolidation, financial tools and education. Every day, we get to help our members move their finances forward with care, compassion, and an empathetic touch. We put people first and treat them like humans, not account numbers.
Attention Agencies & Search Firms: We do not accept unsolicited candidate resumes or profiles. Please do not reach out to anyone within Achieve to market your services or candidates. All inquiries should be directed to Talent Acquisition only. We reserve the right to hire any candidates sent unsolicited and will not pay any fees without a contract signed by Achieve's Talent Acquisition leader.
Job Req:
20243