Head of Mortgage Lending

Job description

Lead the future of mortgage lending at a community bank where your expertise, vision, and leadership can make a lasting impact. As our Head of Mortgage Lending, you'll drive the strategic direction of our mortgage division, foster strong customer and community relationships, and lead a team committed to delivering exceptional service.

About Us

Rooted in Our Community Since 1966

Byron Bank was founded on a simple idea: banking should be personal, dependable, and deeply connected to the people it serves. Nearly 60 years later, that vision remains at the heart of everything we do. Since 1966, Byron Bank has stood strong as a community partner, resilient through change, and always focused on people first. Guided by three generations of dedicated leadership, we’ve stayed true to our mission of building lasting relationships, supporting our local economy, and showing up for our neighbors - because that’s what community is all about.

Our commitment extends beyond banking. We actively participate in initiatives that support education, local businesses, and community development. By investing our time and resources, we aim to make a positive impact on the lives of our neighbors. Byron Bank is proud to be more than just a bank; we are proud to be a leader in our community. Learn more at:

Why Should You Join Us?

At Byron Bank, "You Ask, We Help" isn’t just a tagline, it’s our approach to everything we do. We understand what it takes to provide our customers with the level of service they expect and the solutions they need to help them achieve their financial goals. We recognize that our greatest asset is our employees and take great pride in hiring qualified individuals to complement our existing teams. We’re always eager to connect with talented individuals who share our commitment to exceptional service and community impact. Join us and help our customers feel confident about their financial futures-every conversation, every day.

What You Should Know About The Role

The Head of Mortgage provides 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 role oversees mortgage lending activities, develops and leads the mortgage team, maintains key investor and business relationships, ensures compliance with applicable regulations, and originate residential mortgage loans throughout the Byron market.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop the mortgage leadership team, including Mortgage Loan Officers, Mortgage Underwriter, and other assigned staff. Locations include Poplar Grove and Byron.

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.

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.

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.

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 throughout the Byron market.

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.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

Lead weekly mortgage loan originator meeting.

Partner with Marketing Department during the Annual Marketing Meeting to discuss upcoming promotional and brand needs.

Originate home equity loans and HELOCs as needed.

Coordinate with FDIC exams, internal audits.

This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties and responsibilities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Core Competencies

Leadership: Ability to lead, coach, and develop employees. Promote accountability, collaboration, and a positive team culture.

Strategic & Business Expertise: Ability to think strategically and make sound business decisions. Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and operational improvement.

Mortgage & Regulatory Knowledge: Strong knowledge of residential mortgage lending, secondary market operations, and applicable regulations. Ability to develop and maintain policies and procedures.

Relationship Management: Build strong relationships with customers, referral partners, vendors, and internal stakeholders. Represent the Bank professionally within the community.

Communication & Organization: Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.

Education & Experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or related field preferred.

Professional Experience

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.

Licenses & Certifications

Active NMLS registration or ability to obtain and maintain registration.

Ability to meet all continuing education and licensing requirements applicable to the position.

Physical Requirements

Ability to sit for up to 8 hours a day.

Ability to work on a computer for extended periods of time.

Ability to be on the phone for up to 8 hours a day.

Pay Range

$96,800 - $121,000 annually.

Compensation Overview

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $96,800 - $121,000 annually, which reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for candidates who meet the standard qualifications for the role. Actual base pay will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, credentials, experience, and location.

Travel

Some travel is involved, less than 25% of the time.

401(k) w/Match

Health savings account

Life insurance

Paid time off (Vacation Sick, Volunteer, Holidays)

Work Location

Byron/In Office

Equal Employment Opportunity

Byron Bank provides equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and makes all employment decisions without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, disability challenges, marital status, ancestry, status upon discharge from military service, order of protection status or other non-merit based factors (actual or perceived). These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and merit practices, appraisal systems, promotions and training, and career development programs.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.