Manager of Mortgage Lending - To 125K - Rockford, IL - Job 3856-5035

The Position

Our bank client is seeking to fill a Manager of Mortgage Lending role in the Rockford, IL area. The position is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Bank’s mortgage lending division. This position is responsible for the overall performance, growth, compliance, and operational effectiveness of the department while fostering exceptional customer experience and supporting the Bank’s strategic objectives.

This opportunity has a generous salary of up to $125K and a benefits package. (This is not a remote position).

Manager of Mortgage Lending responsibilities include

• Lead, coach, and develop the mortgage leadership team, including Mortgage Loan Officers, Mortgage Underwriter, and other assigned staff.
• Partner with the Mortgage Underwriter to ensure consistent coaching, development, and performance management of mortgage processing staff.
• Participate in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, succession planning, and performance evaluations.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability to performance and behaviors aligned with our culture.
• Foster a collaborative, engaged, and high-performing work environment.
• Promote ongoing education and professional development within the department.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the Bank’s mortgage lending strategy in alignment with the Bank’s strategic plan and business objectives.
• Establish departmental goals, key performance indicators, and performance expectations.
• Evaluate market trends, customer needs, and competitive offerings to identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Lead the development and implementation of new mortgage products, programs, promotions, and services.
• Monitor departmental performance and recommend strategies to support growth, profitability, and operational effectiveness.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for Executive Leadership regarding mortgage production, pipeline activity, departmental performance, and market conditions.

Operational Oversight

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the mortgage department, including loan origination, underwriting, and processing operations.
• Provide functional oversight of mortgage processing through the Mortgage Underwriter, partnering to monitor pipeline capacity, workload distribution, staffing needs, and departmental performance.
• Oversee departmental operations to ensure loans are processed accurately, efficiently, and within established service standards.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, and loan quality.
• Oversee mortgage-related systems, technology platforms, and operational tools to support departmental effectiveness.
• Lead departmental initiatives, projects, and technology implementations.
• Establish departmental priorities and performance expectations while empowering leaders to manage daily operations.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure seamless customer experience throughout the lending process.

Risk Management

• Promote sound underwriting practices and prudent lending decisions consistent with the Bank’s risk management.
• Monitor loan quality, operational risk, and internal controls while implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Review quality control findings, audit results, and identified deficiencies while ensuring corrective actions are implemented.
• Assist with complex lending scenarios, exceptions, and escalated customer concerns as appropriate.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state mortgage lending laws, regulations, investor requirements, and Bank policies.
• Oversee annual investor, agency, and program recertifications, including Freddie Mac, USDA, IHDA,FHLB, SAM.gov, and other applicable programs.
• Ownership over annual appraisers list.
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement operational changes as needed.
• Partner with the Compliance Officer to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance and examination readiness.
• Coordinate departmental responses to internal audits, external audits, regulatory examinations, and investor reviews.
• Ensure required reporting, documentation, and record retention requirements are maintained.

Policy & Governance

• Serve as the owner of all mortgage-related policies, procedures, and operating standards.
• Develop, maintain, and update departmental policies to reflect regulatory requirements and operational best practices.
• Ensure departmental procedures are documented, communicated, and consistently followed.

Vendor Management

• Manage relationships with mortgage investors, agencies, technology vendors, and other key business partners.
• Evaluate vendor and technology solutions that support operational efficiency and customer service.
• Partner with the Bank’s Vendor Management Program to ensure ongoing compliance and effective vendor performance.

Sales & Business Growth

• Originate residential mortgage loans while providing exceptional service to customers.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Realtors, builders, attorneys, title companies, appraisers, and other referral partners.
• Represent the Bank at community events, networking opportunities, and business development activities.
• Support cross-selling efforts by identifying opportunities to connect customers with additional Bank products and services.
• Identify opportunities to expand mortgage production through new referral channels and strategic partnerships.

Who Are You?

• You’re someone who wants to influence your own development.
• You’re looking for an opportunity where you can pursue your interests and your passion.
• Where a job title is not considered the final definition of who you are, but merely the starting point for your future.

You also bring the following skills and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible mortgage lending experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of leadership or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing mortgage operations, loan origination, underwriting, processing, secondary market activities.
• Experience developing departmental strategies, operational improvements, and business growth initiatives.

The next step is yours. Email us your current resume along with the position you are considering to: