Principal Escrow Advisor - SEAL

Who We AreJoin a team that puts its People First! First American's Direct division provides comprehensive title insurance protection and professional settlement services for real estate purchases, refinances and equity loans. Since 1889, First American (NYSE: FAF) has held an unwavering belief in its people. They are passionate about what they do, and we are equally passionate about fostering an environment where all feel welcome, supported, and empowered to be innovative and reach their full potential. Our inclusive, people-first culture has earned our company numerous accolades, including being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for nine consecutive years. We have also earned awards as a best place to work for women, diversity and LGBTQ+ employees, and have been included on more than 50 regional best places to work lists. First American will always strive to be a great place to work, for all. For more information, please visit www.careers.firstam.com.

What We DoSupports escrow operational staff by setting, communicating or clarifying the governance of escrow transactions, which include applicable federal, state and local laws and company underwriting, escrow and auditing guidelines. Acts in an advisory role to client groups providing information and training. Reviews information and statistical data, identifies trends, and advises management on best practices.

HOW YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE

• Consults with and advises Escrow Officers on transactions with how to address unusual circumstances, how to structure, what documents to use and what guidelines to follow.
• Develops and delivers technical training to escrow staff if requested.
• Works with advisory group to develop guidelines and communications to escrow staff.
• Determines for home state which divisional guidelines need to be communicated and if and how they need to be customized for state rules.
• Works with home state’s underwriting staff to develop and communicate guidelines that impact escrow staff.
• Uses broad expertise and independent judgment of risk assessment to make decisions outside of company guidelines. 
• Contributes regularly to company newsletters.
• Acts as Subject Matter Expert in FAST enhancements as requested.
• Reviews document requests submitted by trainers and users, submits new documents and phrases and audits existing documents on a regular basis for relevance, accuracy and usability.
• Uses broad expertise/experience in multiple types of escrows, such as commercial, bulk, mobile home and new home/subdivision, advises and helps the escrow officers when requested on transactions with how to address unusual circumstances, how to structure, what documents to use and what guidelines to follow.
• Stays up to date on new laws, current market trends, and current escrow issues in order to provide appropriate guidance to escrow officers. Researches and implements best practices.
• Develops resolution to critical issues and complex design matters, including identifying gaps that need to be addressed through training and guidelines that need to be developed and communicated to escrow staff. Provides recommendations and solutions to the advisory group.
• Works with training staff to develop training.
• Analyzes and audits the efficacy of trainings and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Analyzes and audits escrow files as requested or manages and administers an escrow audit program for state(s).
• May manage special projects as requested, such as responding to regulatory inquiries, gathering documentation in response to legal department requests, performing tasks required to close an office (trial balance clean-up) and reviewing and analyzing statistical reports from FAST and other systems.
• Acts as FACC SME/Liaison and reports changes in rates to FACC team, tests new rates, monitors requests for fixes.
• Acts as FACC Override Report administrator. Disseminates and reviews override reports to escrow admins.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Required Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure

• High school diploma required
• Some college preferred
• 10+ years as an Escrow Officer or related work experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Extensive knowledge and experience in multiple types of escrows such as commercial, bulk, mobile home and new home/subdivision
• FAST knowledge preferred
• Excellent customer interfacing skills
• Ability to communicate professionally, both verbally and in writing, in a variety of circumstances
• Strong MS Office skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and teamwork skills
• Self-motivated; self-starter
• Experience managing projects with complex inter-dependencies, focusing on both long-range projects and immediate tasks

What We OfferBy choice, we don’t simply accept individuality – we embrace it, we support it, and we thrive on it! Our People First Culture celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion not simply because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s the key to our success. We are proud to foster an authentic and inclusive workplace For All. You are free and encouraged to bring your entire, unique self to work. First American is an equal opportunity employer in every sense of the term.Based on eligibility, First American offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, PTO/paid sick leave and other great benefits like an employee stock purchase plan.