Manager, Underwriting

GREAT UNDERWRITING DOESN’T HAPPEN BY CHANCE. IT’S LED.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and people-focused Manager, Mortgage Underwriting to lead our underwriting team and oversee the quality, consistency, and efficiency of mortgage credit adjudication. This role is ideal for a seasoned underwriting professional who combines extensive credit expertise with proven leadership skills and a passion for delivering exceptional service.

As the Manager, Mortgage Underwriting, you will lead a team of Underwriters and Mortgage Associates , provide guidance on complex credit decisions, and collaborate closely with Business Development Managers and Mortgage Broker partners to support business growth while maintaining sound credit risk practices. You'll play a key role in developing team capability, optimizing underwriting processes, and ensuring a best-in-class experience for both internal and external stakeholders.

The Team You've Been Looking For

As a wholly owned subsidiary of AMA, we share a proud legacy of service and a commitment to doing the right thing for our customers, our communities, and each other. At Bridgewater Bank, you'll be part of a nimble, forward-thinking organization where your ideas matter, your contributions are valued, and your growth is encouraged. We’re driven to make a positive impact, and our close-knit culture values flexibility, innovation, and genuine connection.

As part of the Bridgewater team, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive salary and flexible benefits
• Employer-paid retirement savings program
• Employee-exclusive discounts on travel, insurance, memberships, and more
• Free travel medical insurance for you and your immediate family
• Ongoing professional development
• Flexible work models that make sense for your lifestyle

For us, curiosity fuels innovation. We value people who are eager to explore new ideas and who are comfortable putting emerging technologies into practice. We see experience with AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and similar platforms as a real plus - especially when it’s used to work smarter, increase efficiency, and find better ways to get things done.

Who You Are

• You’re a professional, engaging leader with proven experience leading and coaching a team and providing performance management.
• You strive to promote innovation, build rapport, and motivate staff for continual improvement.
• You’re a great communicator who builds trust across teams, uses sound judgment, works hard, acts ethically, and takes responsibility for your own actions.
• You work best in a culture where employees are treated like members of the family…because it makes sense.
• You’re a natural at building great relationships and providing savvy advice and value-added recommendations.
• You understand the importance of role modeling the organization’s values, being professional and being an effective leader day-in and day-out.

How You'll Make an Impact

Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team:

• Coach, mentor, and develop a team of Underwriters and Mortgage Associates to achieve individual and team success.
• Establish clear performance expectations and provide ongoing feedback, recognition, and development opportunities.
• Support succession planning, talent development, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture.

Provide Expertise in Credit Adjudication and Risk Management:

• Serve as the escalation point for complex credit applications, exception requests, and transactions exceeding underwriting authority limits.
• Ensure consistent application of underwriting policies, procedures, and lending guidelines.
• Conduct secondary reviews of declined applications and identify alternative lending solutions where appropriate.
• Monitor portfolio credit quality and provide coaching and training to address identified opportunities.

Drive Operational Excellence:

• Oversee underwriting workflows and pipeline management to ensure service standards and turnaround times are consistently achieved.
• Identify opportunities to improve underwriting processes, systems utilization, and operational efficiency.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance both the customer and employee experience.
• Stay informed of industry trends, market developments, and evolving lending practices.

Enhance Partner and Customer Experience:

• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, Business Development Managers, and Mortgage Broker partners.
• Resolve escalated service concerns and support timely communication with stakeholders.
• Gather and share market feedback, customer insights, and lending trends to support ongoing business improvements.
• Support the achievement of departmental service and performance objectives.

What You Bring to the Table

• You have 5+ years of mortgage experience in the alternative mortgage market, including 2+ years of mortgage underwriting experience.
• You bring at least 1 year of leadership, coaching, team lead, or management experience, with a genuine interest in developing others and supporting a high-performing team.
• You have sound knowledge of mortgage lending, underwriting best practices, credit risk assessment, and alternative lending considerations.
• You understand AML and ATF practices and have elevated awareness of fraud risk indicators within the mortgage industry.
• You are organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy, service quality, and sound judgment.
• You are comfortable making timely, autonomous decisions under pressure while balancing service, risk, policy, and business objectives.
• You communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with internal stakeholders, broker partners, and team members.
• You have strong time management, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and can thrive in a constantly changing, high-volume, and high-intensity environment.
• You are committed to providing superb customer service and creating a positive experience for brokers, borrowers, internal partners, and employees.
• You are comfortable using mortgage origination platforms such as Fundmore and Microsoft Office 365, including Word and Excel.
• You have completed a post-secondary degree or diploma, preferably in business, finance, or a related field.

Belonging Matters Here

Bridgewater Bank is committed to providing an inclusive, respectful, and accessible environment. If you require an accommodation at any time during our recruitment process, please contact [email protected]. We'll work with you to feel supported throughout your journey with us.

WORK MODEL:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.