Team Lead, Pre-Closing Operations

Team Lead, Pre-Closing Operations Granite Risk Management The Team Lead, Pre-Closing Operations is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, workflow management, and quality oversight of a team supporting construction lending and risk mitigation operations. This role serves as a working leader who manages production, service level adherence, quality control, client satisfaction, and employee development while acting as a subject matter expert across processing functions. The Team Lead partners closely with Operations Managers, Client Relationship teams, Funding teams, Risk Management professionals, and offshore resources to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant execution of construction lending processing activities. The role is responsible for driving operational excellence, continuous improvement, and a high-performance culture while maintaining exceptional service delivery standards. Key Responsibilities Team Leadership & Employee Development - Lead, coach, train, and develop Processing Specialists and Associates. - Conduct regular performance discussions, coaching sessions, and quality reviews. - Assist with onboarding, cross-training, and workforce planning initiatives. - Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. - Support employee engagement and retention efforts. Production & Workflow Management - Manage daily processing queues and team workloads to ensure timely completion of client deliverables. - Monitor pipeline performance, aging reports, and service level agreements (SLAs). - Prioritize work assignments and reallocate resources as needed to meet business demands. - Escalate operational issues and recommend solutions to improve efficiency. - Ensure adequate staffing coverage and business continuity. Quality & Risk Management - Perform quality reviews and audits to ensure accuracy and compliance with client requirements. - Identify trends, defects, and training opportunities through quality monitoring. - Ensure adherence to internal controls, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. - Partner with management to implement corrective actions and process enhancements. - Maintain documentation standards and operational consistency. Client Service & Stakeholder Management - Serve as an escalation point for internal and external stakeholders.

- Support communication with lenders, investors, builders, contractors, and project stakeholders. - Partner with Client Relationship Managers and Operations leadership to resolve issues and improve client experience. - Participate in client meetings and operational reviews as needed. Process Improvement & Reporting - Analyze production metrics, quality results, and team performance indicators. - Identify automation and process improvement opportunities. - Prepare operational reporting and present performance trends to management. - Assist in implementation of new products, procedures, and technology solutions. - Support organizational growth initiatives and operational scalability. Qualifications Required - 3+ years of experience in mortgage operations, construction lending, fund control, processing, loan operations, risk management, or related financial services operations. - 1+ years of formal or informal leadership experience. - Strong understanding of processing workflows, operational controls, and quality management. - Experience supervising production-driven teams in a service environment. - Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and reporting tools. - Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Preferred - Experience within construction lending, inspections, or risk mitigation services. - Experience working with distributed or offshore teams. - Lean, Six Sigma, or process improvement experience. - Project management exposure. - Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Operations, or a related field.