Senior Loan Partner

Job Description

Job Description

About Us

Atwood Mortgage is a family-owned, veteran-owned brokerage built to serve Veterans, Realtors, and clients with unmatched service and speed. We're not a giant call center — we're a boutique team where every loan matters and every promise gets kept.

Our Broker/Owner was the #3 VA Loan Originator in Minnesota last year across all lenders. He ranks among the top 150 mortgage brokers nationally and is one of UWM's top-ranked partners.

We've built all this in under three years — and we're just getting started.

The Role

This is not an entry-level position.

The Senior Loan Partner is the Broker/Owner's #2 and works directly alongside him on everything the business does. The core of the role is loan management — LOA and LP-level work, shared responsibility for every file from application through closing. Beyond that, the right candidate will be involved in building the business: attending and running events, strengthening Realtor relationships, helping coordinate content, and as we grow, helping support the loan officers we bring on.

This role is the right fit for someone who has spent time as an LOA, processor, underwriter, or even a former loan officer who wants off the sales treadmill and into a more operations-focused seat. The common thread: a person who wants to build a career on the operations side of a growing mortgage company — not just execute tasks, but genuinely help build the business.

Atwood Mortgage uses proprietary AI-powered software that gives our team real speed and leverage. The Senior Loan Partner will learn it fast and use it every day.

What You'll Do

Files and pipeline (the core of the role):

• First point of contact for new clients after their initial consultation
• File setup in ARIVE — applications, credit, income calculations, documents, disclosures, AUS (DU/LP)
• Ability to calculate multiple types of income
• Issue pre-approval letters through ARIVE, including pulling VA Certificates of Eligibility
• Under-contract setup — purchase agreements, loan structuring
• Track the pipeline daily and flag issues before they become problems
• Keep clients and Realtors informed throughout every file — proactively, before they have to ask

Relationships and events:

• Follow up with leads, pre-approved buyers, and Realtor partners so nothing slips
• Help build and strengthen Atwood Mortgage's referral network
• Attend and help run events — CE classes, partner appreciation events, client events
• Occasional travel to industry events, trainings, and conferences

Business operations and growth:

• Manage the Broker/Owner's calendar and triage email
• Help coordinate content production — video shoots, social posts, campaign logistics
• As Atwood Mortgage grows, help support and manage the loan officers we recruit
• Take on additional responsibilities as the business evolves

What We're Looking For

• 3+ years of mortgage experience — LOA, processor, underwriter, or former loan officer moving to the operations side
• Strong knowledge of Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA guidelines
• Ability to calculate multiple types of income — W-2, self-employed, commission, bonus, rental — and spot a red flag before underwriting does
• Experience with ARIVE or a similar LOS
• NMLS-licensed, or willing and able to pass the exam within 90 days of hire (we cover the cost)
• You love the phone. You'd rather call than text. You don't wait three hours to return a voicemail.
• You take initiative. When you see something that needs to happen, you handle it or flag it.
• You love a checklist. You get satisfaction from closing loops and making sure nothing falls through.
• You're comfortable in front of people. You can represent Atwood Mortgage at an event, a CE class, or a partner meeting without freezing up.
• You stay steady under pressure. Three things hitting at once doesn't rattle you.
• You want a career, not a stopover. You're looking to grow with one company over the long term.
• Must work in-office in St. Louis Park (no remote option)

What Success Looks Like

• Every new lead contacted within 1 business hour (we run ~75 leads/month)
• 100% of loans close on time — we make promises to Realtors and clients, and we keep them
• 80%+ of leads convert to a scheduled consultation
• Pre-approval letters issued within 24 hours of receiving financials
• Realtors know where their file stands because we told them — not because they had to ask
• The Broker/Owner never has to ask "did you follow up on X?" — if he's asking, something went wrong

An Honest Note on Hours

This is a Monday–Friday, 8–5, in-office role.

But in busy season (roughly March–October), this business happens when clients and Realtors are available. When a contract comes in Saturday afternoon, someone has to respond. When a Realtor needs a rush pre-approval Sunday evening, someone has to handle it. Events happen on evenings and occasional weekends.

You don't need to be chained to your desk 24/7. But you do need to care enough about winning to take a Saturday call, answer a text at 7 PM on a Tuesday, or attend an evening event in busy season. In slower winter months, that's rarely needed.

If that works for you, you'll fit here. If you want a strict 9-to-5 that ends at the office door, you won't — and that's okay.

This Role Isn't For You If...

• You're looking for an entry-level mortgage job to get your feet wet.
• You want to become a production loan officer. This is a career on the operations side — equally rewarding, but not a stepping stone to origination.
• You need constant direction to know what to do next.
• You're great with tasks but don't want to think past them.
• You're great with people but don't want to learn the loan side.
• You don't want to be visible — at events, in front of partners, or in front of clients.
• "Close enough" is in your vocabulary.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $65,000 – $75,000 depending on experience and licensing
• Closing Bonus: $150 per file you meaningfully contribute to — setup, pre-approval, pipeline management, or client/Realtor communication through closing. Typically begins 30–60 days after start date as you're integrated into active files. At current volume (~15–20 files/month), that's $25,000–$35,000+ per year once fully ramped.
• Realistic year-one total: $85,000 – $100,000
• Year two with expanded responsibilities: $100,000 – $115,000+
• Paid time off
• NMLS licensing costs covered
• Travel expenses covered for events and industry conferences
• Employee discount
• Referral program

Why Atwood Mortgage

• Work directly with the #3 VA Loan Originator in Minnesota across all lenders
• Use proprietary AI-powered software most competitors don't have access to
• Family-owned, veteran-owned, values-driven
• Boutique team — every loan matters, every relationship matters, every team member matters
• Real ownership and visibility — you'll be out in front of partners and clients, not hidden in a back office
• A clear path to expanded leadership as we grow

How to Apply

Submit your resume showing your relevant mortgage experience.

We'll follow up with a short questionnaire designed to better understand your experience, work style, and personality. Candidates who match what we're looking for will move forward to interviews.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off
• Referral program

Work Location: In person