TPO Head of Credit Mortgage

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description: Underwriting Manager / Head of Credit (Remote)

Position Type: Full-Time / Exempt

Location: 100% Remote

Target Start Date: Immediate / As Soon As Possible

Reporting To: Chief Risk Officer / Chief Operating Officer

Growth Potential: Exceptional career trajectory into senior executive leadership (VP of Credit / Chief Credit Officer) as the company scales.

Position Overview

Our client, a progressive and fast-growing national mortgage company offering both TPO & retail, is seeking an expert Underwriting Manager / Head of Credit to lead their credit operations. This is a high-impact, strategic leadership role designed for a seasoned credit authority who can champion the company’s credit philosophy across a diverse, high-volume product mix—specifically Non-QM, Government (FHA/VA/USDA), and Agency (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac) loans.

In this organization, the underwriting engine is heavily driven by advanced AI automation. Because automated systems handle the bulk of traditional processing and initial approvals, human underwriters operate at an elite level, focusing on high-level quality control, complex guideline interpretation, and risk validation. Consequently, this leader will not manage a traditional assembly-line underwriting floor; instead, they will act as the ultimate subject matter expert, mentor, and escalation authority for complex, out-of-the-box scenarios.

Key Responsibilities

• Credit Philosophy & Policy Governance: Define and continuously refine the company's credit risk appetite, balancing aggressive market competitiveness with sound risk management across Non-QM, Government, and Agency channels.
• Complex Scenario & Exception Authority: Serve as the final internal escalation point for complex, non-standard borrower profiles (e.g., self-employed bank statement programs, P&L analysis, asset depletion, foreign nationals, DSCR investor loans, and manual government underwrites).
• Leadership in an AI-Forward Environment: Guide and elevate a team of high-level underwriting quality control specialists. Optimize workflows to ensure seamless synergy between automated underwriting systems (AUS/AI engines) and human risk oversight.
• Risk Mitigation & Quality Control: Implement robust pre- and post-funding audit mechanisms to monitor loan quality, reduce buyback risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and identify coaching opportunities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Sales, Product Development, Secondary Marketing, and Compliance to align product guidelines with shifting market demands and investor/secondary market appetites.
• Team Mentorship & Development: Cultivate a culture of continuous learning, providing ongoing training to ensure the team stays ahead of evolving Non-QM products and agency/government updates.

Ideal Candidate Profile & Qualifications

• Experience: 8+ years of progressive mortgage underwriting and credit leadership experience, with a proven track record of managing and mentoring teams in high-volume lending environments.
• Deep Product Mastery: Comprehensive, hands-on expertise across Non-QM (bank statements, 1099, investor cash flow), Government (FHA/VA/USDA), and Agency (DU/LP) guidelines.
• Tech-Forward Mindset: Familiarity or experience working within automated, data-driven, or AI-assisted underwriting ecosystems. Comfortable leveraging technology to scale operational efficiency.
• Strategic & Analytical Mindset: Strong capability to analyze macro-level portfolio health, evaluate trends, and translate complex risk data into clear, actionable policies.
• Communication & Leadership: Exceptional interpersonal and coaching skills, with the ability to communicate credit decisions clearly across executive leadership, sales teams, and external partners.
• Certifications: DE (Direct Endorsement) and/or SAR (Staff Appraisal Reviewer) designations are strongly preferred.

What the Company Offers

• Remote Flexibility: 100% remote work environment with a nationwide footprint.
• Competitive Compensation: Attractive base salary paired with performance incentives tied to portfolio performance and origination volume.
• Career Growth: Direct line of sight to executive leadership as the organization scales its lending footprint and technological capabilities.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Full health, dental, vision, 401(k), and generous PTO.