Underwriting Manager — Retail Residential Mortgage (IMB)

The Opportunity

A growing independent mortgage company with a retail residential focus is looking for a seasoned Underwriting Manager who's ready to lead from the front — not from behind a desk. This is a true player/coach role where your fingerprints will be on credit decisions, team culture, and the quality of every file that moves through the pipeline. If you've been waiting for a seat at the table where your voice actually carries weight, this is it.

What You'll Do

• Lead, mentor, and calibrate a team of retail residential underwriters — setting the standard for quality, consistency, and turn time

• Own escalated and exception files while maintaining production flow and protecting the company's credit profile

• Serve as a cross-functional partner to sales, operations, and processing — removing friction, solving bottlenecks, and keeping the pipeline moving

• Develop and maintain a robust underwriting quality feedback loop that drives continuous improvement across the team

• Monitor agency guideline updates (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA and beyond) and translate changes into clean, workable overlays the team can execute on

• Ensure all underwriting activity meets state-by-state compliance standards in an IMC environment — where regulatory precision matters and there is no federal preemption safety net

• Contribute to senior-level credit and production conversations as a credible, experienced voice in the room

Why This Opportunity

Independent mortgage companies move differently — fewer layers, faster decisions, and a culture where strong operators actually shape outcomes. This company has built a retail residential team that values expertise and rewards accountability, and at five direct reports, this is the kind of close-knit leadership role where you can genuinely develop people rather than just manage headcount. Add in a real voice with senior credit and sales leadership, full benefits, and a compensation structure designed to attract top-tier talent, and this is a rare combination worth a conversation.

Ready to Make a Move?

If your background checks every box — or comes close — apply now or reach out to us at The Mortgage Talent Network today and let's talk about whether this role is the right next chapter for your career.

The Mortgage Talent Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class.

What We're Looking For

• 5 years of mortgage underwriting management experience in a retail residential setting — this must be your most recent role

• Deep, working mastery of agency guidelines: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA at minimum; additional product knowledge is a plus

• Hands-on proficiency with Encompass LOS — you should be comfortable navigating it daily, not learning it on the job

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team in a fast-moving independent mortgage company environment — IMC experience is strongly preferred

• Comfort operating with autonomy in a nimble, non-depository setting where decisions move quickly and compliance knowledge is your foundation

Bonus points — valued but not required:
- DE, SAR or LAPP authority
- Experience with USDA, bond/grant programs, jumbo, or non-QM products
- Prior leadership experience managing a team of five or more underwriters at an IMC