The Head of Credit and Underwriting will be responsible for the strategic oversight and leadership of the company's credit risk, underwriting, and risk management functions within the business purpose residential lending business unit. This role requires a seasoned professional with deep expertise in credit risk management, underwriting, and leadership. The ideal candidate will ensure that all loan decisions are aligned with the company's risk appetite, regulatory requirements, and business objectives.
Responsibilities:
Develop and implement a comprehensive credit risk management strategy that aligns with the company's business objectives and regulatory requirements.
Lead the underwriting team, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in all credit decisions.
Serve as a key member of the leadership team, providing insights on portfolio performance, emerging risks, and market trends.
Oversee the assessment and management of credit risk across the entire loan portfolio, ensuring alignment with the company's risk tolerance.
Lead the underwriting team in evaluating and approving loan applications.
Develop, implement, and enforce underwriting policies and procedures that align with company objectives and regulatory guidelines.
Ensure that all underwriting practices are consistent, efficient, and adhere to the highest standards of quality and compliance.
Ensure that all credit and underwriting practices comply with relevant regulatory requirements and internal policies.
Regularly review and update credit risk and underwriting policies in response to changes in the market, regulatory environment, and business goals.
Lead, mentor, and develop the underwriting team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities to ensure the teams are up-to-date with industry trends, best practices, and regulatory changes.
Set performance goals, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide feedback and coaching to team members.
Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on all credit, underwriting, and risk management matters.
Collaborate with sales, operations, and other departments to ensure alignment on lending strategies, risk management, and customer expectations.
Communicate credit and risk management decisions and policies clearly and effectively to all relevant parties.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, Real Estate, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in credit risk management, underwriting, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
Extensive knowledge of business purpose residential real estate lending, including market trends, property types, and risk factors.
Proven track record of developing and implementing successful credit risk management and underwriting strategies.
Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor and develop high-performing teams.
Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external partners.
Familiarity with relevant regulatory requirements and industry best practices.