Real Estate Lending Manager

Signal Financial is a progressive and growing Credit Union with over 18,000 members and more than $377+ million in assets. We are committed to building a new way of banking for our current and future members in the Washington Metro area. Our goal is to be a progressive multi-billion-dollar financial institution by re-inventing the way we operate, particularly when it comes to enhancing the membership experience. We aim to do this by being innovative, creative and nimble in offering distinctive products and services.

Position Description

The Real Estate Lending Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, production, compliance, quality, and operational performance of the Credit Union's Real Estate Lending Department. This position oversees all aspects of the mortgage origination process, including application, processing, underwriting, closing, funding, and secondary market delivery. The incumbent ensures compliance with applicable regulations, investor requirements, and Credit Union policies while fostering a culture of exceptional member service, needs-based selling, operational excellence, and employee development. The Real Estate Lending Manager also serves as the business administrator and subject matter expert for the Credit Union's Loan Origination System (LOS).

The position is located at Kensington, MD headquarters. The role is hybrid, in office Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Position Responsibilities

Department Leadership, Production & Member Experience

• Lead and manage the overall operations and performance of the Real Estate Lending Department.
• Establish departmental goals, performance standards, and key performance indicators aligned with organizational objectives.
• Direct, coach, develop, and evaluate department personnel to maximize individual and team performance.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development.
• Drive mortgage production and portfolio growth through effective pipeline management, business development initiatives, and strategic planning.
• Promote a consultative, needs-based sales culture focused on improving members' financial well-being through appropriate Credit Union products and services.
• Ensure the delivery of exceptional member service throughout the mortgage lending process and promptly resolve escalated member concerns.
• Monitor market trends, competitive conditions, and lending opportunities to support growth and profitability.

Lending Operations, Underwriting & Secondary Market Activities

• Oversee all aspects of mortgage origination, processing, underwriting, closing, funding, and secondary market delivery.
• Ensure efficient workflows, appropriate resource allocation, and achievement of service-level standards.
• Provide guidance and decision support on complex lending scenarios, exceptions, and underwriting matters.
• Maintain expertise in all residential real estate lending products offered by the Credit Union, including conventional mortgage loans, portfolio mortgage loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, manufactured home loans (MHL), and related products.
• Ensure loans are originated, documented, closed, and sold in accordance with Credit Union policies and investor requirements.
• Manage relationships with investors, settlement agents, appraisers, and other lending partners.

Compliance, Quality Control & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations, investor requirements, and Credit Union policies.
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update departmental procedures, controls, and operating guidelines.
• Administer and maintain the department's quality control program to ensure loan quality, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor loan quality trends, operational risks, audit findings, and compliance issues, implementing corrective action when needed.
• Support internal audits, external audits, regulatory examinations, and quality control reviews.
• Promote a culture of quality, compliance, risk awareness, and operational integrity throughout the department.
• Ensure accurate HMDA reporting and regulatory data integrity.

Systems Administration, Reporting & Business Management

• Serve as the business owner, administrator, and subject matter expert for the Credit Union's Loan Origination System (LOS).
• Oversee system configuration, workflow optimization, user access, testing, upgrades, and vendor relationships.
• Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and effectiveness of departmental systems, reports, and data.
• Prepare, analyze, and distribute management reports related to production, pipeline performance, service levels, loan quality, compliance, and departmental results.
• Monitor departmental performance against established goals and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Review and validate incentive compensation and commission calculations for eligible lending staff.
• Assist in departmental budgeting, strategic planning, and implementation of operational initiatives that support organizational goals.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Economics, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in mortgage or real estate lending, including mortgage production, underwriting, secondary market lending, compliance, and quality control.
• Minimum of three (3) years of management or supervisory experience leading lending operations and personnel.
• Thorough knowledge of residential mortgage lending products, underwriting practices, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines, and applicable lending regulations.
• Strong understanding of credit union lending policies, procedures, and risk management principles.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, employee development, and performance management skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven commitment to delivering exceptional member service and fostering member relationships.
• Proficiency with Loan Origination Systems (LOS), automated underwriting systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Credit union experience preferred.

The list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem as necessary.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). Signal Financial Federal Credit Union does not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.