Residential Mortgage Appraisal Review Manager

Residential Mortgage Appraisal Review Manager

Sunflower Bank, N.A. is looking for an energetic, highly motivated individual to fill the position of a full-time Residential Mortgage Appraisal Review Manager.

The position assists the Chief Appraiser and is primarily responsible for leading and actively participating in all aspects of the mortgage appraisal review function. The role will also serve as a back up to support the C&I appraisal review and environmental due diligence process.

This position serves as a working leader, providing management oversight for the Appraisal Review Team, Appraisal Desk operations, and Appraiser Panel Management program, while personally conducting residential appraisal reviews to support loan production objectives.

The role ensures the delivery of timely, compliant, and high-quality appraisal review services that support the Mortgage Division's goals for loan production, operational efficiency, exceptional borrower experience, and on-time loan closings. The manager works collaboratively with Mortgage Origination, Mortgage Operations, Secondary Marketing, Risk Management, Compliance, and external appraisal partners to maintain a high-performing appraisal review program.

This position supervises:

• Mortgage Appraisal Desk Lead (1)
• Mortgage Appraisal Desk Specialist (1)
• Mortgage Appraisal Specialists/Reviewers (2)

The ideal candidate is a licensed residential appraiser with strong leadership experience, deep knowledge of appraisal regulations and valuation methodologies, and a demonstrated ability to balance risk management with production-focused service delivery.

This role is a hands-on leadership position that combines appraisal expertise, staff management, vendor oversight, and operational partnership. The successful candidate will serve as the Mortgage Division's primary valuation leader, ensuring appraisal quality and compliance while helping the organization achieve its production, efficiency, borrower experience, and on-time closing objectives.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, develop, coach, and manage the Appraisal Desk Lead, Appraisal Desk Specialist, and Appraisal Specialists/Reviewers.
• Establish performance standards, service-level expectations, and quality metrics for the appraisal review team.
• Conduct performance evaluations, employee development planning, and ongoing coaching.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for appraisal-related issues across the Mortgage Division.
• Participate in staffing, succession planning, and team development initiatives.

Appraisal Review Operations

• Perform complex residential appraisal reviews for compliance, quality, credibility, and adherence to industry standards.
• Review appraisals for conformity with:
• USPAP requirements
• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines
• FHA, VA, and USDA requirements
• Federal Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines
• Internal credit and valuation policies
• Assist with resolving valuation disputes, reconsiderations of value, and escalated appraisal concerns.
• Monitor appraisal review workflows to ensure timely completion and support on-time loan closings.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities for process improvement within appraisal operations.
• Provide guidance on complex valuation scenarios and exception requests.

Appraisal Desk Management

• Oversee daily operations of the Appraisal Desk.
• Ensure appraisal orders are managed efficiently from assignment through final review.
• Monitor pipeline volumes, turnaround times, service levels, and workload balancing.
• Partner with origination and operations teams to proactively resolve appraisal-related bottlenecks.
• Drive process enhancements that improve speed, quality, and borrower experience.
• Support effective communication among lenders, processors, underwriters, operations staff, and appraisal vendors.

Appraiser Panel Management

• Oversee the institution's approved appraiser panel and vendor management processes.
• Review and approve applications from prospective appraisers seeking inclusion on the approved panel.
• Conduct due diligence reviews including licensing verification, qualifications assessment, insurance review, and performance analysis.
• Monitor appraiser performance metrics, including:
• Turnaround times
• Report quality
• Revision rates
• Geographic competency
• Regulatory compliance
• Customer service responsiveness
• Maintain scorecards and performance reporting for approved panel members.
• Administer corrective action programs when performance or compliance concerns are identified.
• Recommend probation, suspension, removal, or reinstatement of appraisers when appropriate.
• Ensure appraiser independence requirements are maintained at all times.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate closely with Mortgage Origination leadership to balance valuation risk management with production objectives.
• Partner with Mortgage Operations leadership to improve loan cycle times and appraisal-related efficiencies.
• Support organizational goals related to:
• Loan production growth
• Operational excellence
• Borrower satisfaction
• On-time loan closings
• Regulatory compliance
• Participate in cross-functional projects involving appraisal technology, workflow enhancements, and process automation.
• Provide appraisal-related training and guidance to production and operations teams.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Maintain appraisal review practices that meet regulatory and investor requirements.
• Monitor regulatory, agency, and industry developments affecting valuation and appraisal practices.
• Assist with internal audits, regulatory examinations, and quality control reviews.
• Develop and maintain appraisal-related policies, procedures, and controls.
• Ensure adherence to appraisal independence standards and organizational risk management objectives.

Education/Experience Preferred:

Required Qualifications

• Active State Certified Residential Appraiser or State Certified General Appraiser license.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Real Estate, Economics, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5 years of residential appraisal experience.
• Minimum 3 years of appraisal review experience.
• Minimum 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong working knowledge of:
• USPAP
• FNMA and FHLMC appraisal requirements
• FHA, VA, and USDA appraisal guidelines
• Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines
• Mortgage lending operations and underwriting processes
• Experience managing appraisal vendors and appraiser panels.
• Ability to perform complex appraisal reviews and valuation analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified General Appraiser designation.
• Experience within a bank, credit union, or mortgage lender environment.
• Experience leading appraisal review teams and appraisal desk operations.
• Professional valuation designations or advanced appraisal certifications.
• Experience with appraisal management technology platforms and valuation review tools.
• Experience with commercial real estate appraisal and environmental due diligence.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong residential valuation and appraisal review expertise.
• Working knowledge of mortgage production, processing, underwriting, and closing operations.
• Ability to balance risk management objectives with production and service expectations.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building skills.
• Excellent analytical and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong vendor management and relationship management skills.
• Effective conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Advanced problem-solving capabilities.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional internal and external customer experiences.