Job Description

The Retail Real Estate Processing and Closing Manager- Officer is responsible for managing a pipeline that includes a variety of real estate secured loan types (Construction, First Lien Mortgage, Subordinate Financing, Home Equity etc.) The Retail Real Estate Processing and Closing Manager is responsible for initial and on-going training, maintaining department procedures and goals, conducting reviews for a percentage of loan files to ensure accuracy and adherence to regulatory requirements and guidelines.

Essential Functions:

• Provide centralized leadership and oversight of Retail Real Estate processing and closing operations across all secured loan types, including construction, first lien mortgages, subordinate financing, and home equity products, to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant loan delivery.
• Manage end-to-end pipeline performance by actively monitoring workflow, milestone aging, and capacity across the processing team; proactively prioritize, rebalance, and escalate files to reduce bottlenecks and support predictable turnaround times.
• Establish and enforce consistent quality control standards by conducting and overseeing a defined percentage of pre-closing and post-closing loan reviews each month; communicate findings, coach processors, and reduce defect rates and downstream remediation.
• Ensure audit, quality assurance, and regulatory exam readiness through documented controls, routine reviews, and management oversight; respond to audit, QA, and compliance findings and implement corrective actions and process improvements as needed.
• Lead initial and ongoing training, onboarding, and professional development for the real estate processing team, including structured training plans, real-time coaching, and targeted remediation based on error trends to reduce time-to-proficiency and improve consistency.
• Maintain ownership of real estate processing and closing procedures, checklists, and job aids; ensure documentation remains current, accurate, and aligned with regulatory changes, system updates, and business practices, with a documented cadence for review and updates.
• Provide system and process governance for real estate processing and closing workflows, including ownership of testing, validation, and approval of changes impacting Encompass, Blend, Elsie, and related systems; identify defects prior to release and minimize post-implementation rework.
• Initiate and coordinate system enhancements, product rollouts, and workflow improvements; collaborate with vendors and internal partners to troubleshoot issues, test solutions, and implement changes that improve efficiency, quality, and compliance.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex, high-risk, or non-standard real estate loans; ensure issues are identified early, addressed consistently, and resolved with appropriate regulatory and policy interpretation.
• Provide clear, consistent guidance and support to Loan Officers, Bankers, and internal partners by establishing predictable timelines, defined escalation paths, and transparent communication throughout the loan lifecycle.
• Hire, supervise, develop, and evaluate team members; conduct performance reviews, address employee relations matters, and ensure staff are trained and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and internal controls.
• Participate in succession planning and mentoring to ensure continuity of operations, cross-training, and long-term stability of the real estate processing function.
• Collaborate with Loan Operations leadership and cross-functional teams to strengthen operational controls, improve service delivery, and support growth initiatives without proportionally increasing operational or compliance risk.
• Ensure direct reports are trained and comply with all applicable bank policy, laws, and regulations applicable to their roles. Monitor their adherence to internal controls and take action to address performance issues.
• Understand and adhere to all applicable bank policies, laws, and regulations applicable to the role. Complete required compliance training. Follow internal processes and controls as required.
• Report all compliance issues, violations of law or regulations in accordance with the steps defined in Bank policies.
• Perform or assist with other job related duties or special projects as assigned.
• Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance or related field preferred.
• At least 5 years real estate loan processing required.
• At least three years supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience with HELOCs, bridge and construction loans required.
• Knowledge of all federal regulations and policies/procedures involving real estate lending.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and in working with other financial software.
• Experience with Encompass and Fiserv software, including Navigator and Director preferred.

Preferred Talents:

• Proven strong leadership
• Ability to coach and develop team members
• Customer Service mindset with a focus on enhancing customer experience
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong business acumen and decision-making abilities
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Deadline drive, independent, and exercises sound judgement

Working Environment:

Indoor work – not exposed to outdoor elements or hazards.

Some sedentary work and occasional lifting and/or carrying up to 10 pounds.

This role is eligible for hybrid work from home opportunity under the work from home guidelines upon completion of onboarding.

PLEASE VIEW THE APPLICANT TERMS & CONDITIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH YOUR APPLICATION.