SENIOR UNDERWRITER, RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGES | CREDIT & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Job summary

Underwrite and adjudicate complex residential mortgage applications, assess borrower and collateral risk, structure lending solutions, and ensure decisions comply with credit policies and regulatory requirements. Develop broker and referral relationships, generate mortgage business, and contribute to portfolio growth while maintaining credit quality and responsive service.

Job details

SENIOR UNDERWRITER, RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGES | CREDIT & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT A dual-mandate opportunity combining residential mortgage credit expertise, broker relationship development and business origination. THE OPPORTUNITY Our client is a well-established, highly respected non-bank financial institution with a strong presence in the Canadian mortgage market. They are seeking a commercially minded Senior Underwriter with a dual mandate spanning residential mortgage credit adjudication and business development. This is a unique opportunity for a senior mortgage professional who combines strong residential credit and underwriting expertise with the ability to build broker relationships, develop referral networks and generate new lending opportunities. The successful candidate will play an integral role in both evaluating and structuring residential mortgage transactions and driving the growth of the mortgage portfolio. Alongside assessing credit risk and making sound lending recommendations, this individual will actively cultivate relationships within the mortgage broker community, identify new business opportunities and help expand the organization's market presence. This role is ideally suited to a mortgage professional who enjoys the analytical and risk-management aspects of underwriting but also thrives on relationship building, business generation and working directly with brokers to structure and secure lending opportunities. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to portfolio growth, funded mortgage volume, credit quality and profitability, within an organization that values sound judgment, responsiveness and exceptional service. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Business Development, Broker Relationships & Mortgage Origination Proactively develop new business opportunities and expand the residential mortgage portfolio by establishing, cultivating and strengthening relationships with mortgage brokers, agents and other referral partners. Build and manage a network of productive broker relationships, with a focus on generating new mortgage submissions, funded transactions and sustainable business growth. Identify, pursue and convert new business opportunities through targeted outreach, broker meetings, networking and active engagement within the mortgage broker community. Leverage residential mortgage underwriting expertise to work collaboratively with brokers, assess potential transactions, structure lending solutions and identify opportunities that align with the organization's lending appetite. Become a trusted lending partner to mortgage brokers by providing timely credit guidance, practical solutions and responsive service throughout the underwriting and funding process. Develop existing broker relationships while actively identifying and onboarding new referral partners to broaden the organization's reach and deal flow. Promote the organization's mortgage products, lending programs and underwriting capabilities to prospective and existing broker partners. Work collaboratively with senior leadership to develop and execute business development strategies, strengthen market presence and achieve origination and funded-volume objectives. Represent the organization at industry events, broker meetings and networking opportunities to build brand awareness and generate new business. Identify opportunities to deepen existing relationships, expand lending activity and introduce complementary mortgage or lending solutions, where appropriate. Balance business development activities with underwriting responsibilities, ensuring that growth objectives are achieved without compromising credit quality or established risk parameters. Residential Mortgage Underwriting & Credit Adjudication Assess, structure and adjudicate complex residential mortgage and lending applications within established credit policies, guidelines and delegated lending authorities. Analyze borrowers' credit history, income, financial position, debt-servicing capacity, collateral and overall risk profile. Underwrite complex and higher-risk transactions, applying sound judgment and a prudent, commercially balanced approach to credit decision-making. Structure transactions appropriately, negotiate terms where appropriate, and provide well-supported recommendations for approval or decline. Issue mortgage commitments with appropriate conditions and ensure all lending requirements are satisfied prior to funding. Manage portfolio risk through consistent, objective and well-reasoned credit decisions, escalating exceptions and higher-risk transactions with clear supporting rationale. Underwrite residential mortgage applications originating through retail channels, as well as refinancing and retention opportunities, where applicable. Where required, conduct borrower interviews, assist with the completion of credit applications, analyze financial information and provide lending recommendations. Ensure lending decisions comply with applicable internal policies, regulatory requirements, anti-money laundering (AML) requirements and Know Your Client (KYC) standards. Work closely with legal counsel, solicitors, funding teams and other internal stakeholders to ensure an efficient and seamless transaction process. Maintain complete and accurate credit documentation and records in accordance with internal and regulatory requirements. Operate within approved lending authorities and ensure all credit decisions remain within established limits. Contribute to residential lending growth, profitability and funded-volume objectives while maintaining appropriate credit standards. Identify opportunities to improve underwriting processes, service delivery and operational efficiency. Maintain a strong focus on customer experience, responsiveness and service excellence throughout the lending process. IDEAL CANDIDATE The successful candidate will be a commercially minded residential mortgage professional who combines strong credit adjudication and underwriting expertise with demonstrated business development and broker relationship capabilities. This opportunity is particularly well suited to an individual who understands the residential mortgage lending market, has established relationships within the broker community, and can leverage their credit expertise to develop new business and grow a mortgage portfolio. The ideal candidate will bring: 10+ years of retail credit adjudication experience, ideally within banking or another financial services environment. 5+ years of residential mortgage underwriting experience, with significant exposure to alternative, non-prime or other specialized mortgage lending. Demonstrated business development capabilities, including the ability to establish new broker relationships, expand referral networks and generate incremental mortgage business. Existing relationships within the residential mortgage broker community and an understanding of how to develop those relationships into productive lending partnerships. Experience underwriting complex residential mortgage transactions and assessing higher-risk credit. A strong understanding of residential mortgage products, credit risk, lending structures, broker channels and market dynamics. A strong commercial mindset, with the ability to balance credit risk, lending policy, broker needs and business growth objectives. The ability to engage confidently with brokers, understand prospective transactions, discuss lending structures and identify opportunities that fit the organization's risk appetite. An entrepreneurial, proactive and self-directed approach, with the initiative to pursue new relationships, identify opportunities and take ownership of business development activities. Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation and relationship-management skills. Strong judgment, analytical ability and numerical aptitude, with exceptional attention to detail. A demonstrated commitment to customer service, responsiveness and operational excellence. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage underwriting files and business development activities concurrently in a fast-paced lending environment. Post-secondary education combined with relevant mortgage underwriting experience and/or industry-related courses and education. Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; additional languages are considered an asset. Flexibility and willingness to meet with mortgage brokers and attend industry events throughout the Greater Toronto Area. WORK ARRANGEMENT West GTA, Ontario (In-Office) HOW TO APPLY Interested candidates are invited to contact Shan Collins at scollins@collinsrecruit.com. All inquiries and applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

What you’ll do

Underwrite and adjudicate complex residential mortgage applications, assess borrower and collateral risk, structure lending solutions, and ensure decisions comply with credit policies and regulatory requirements. Develop broker and referral relationships, generate mortgage business, and contribute to portfolio growth while maintaining credit quality and responsive service.

Requirements

Candidates should have 10+ years of retail credit adjudication experience and 5+ years of residential mortgage underwriting experience, ideally including alternative or specialized lending and complex, higher-risk transactions. They should also bring broker relationships and business development ability, strong analytical and communication skills, relevant post-secondary education or industry training, and proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Listed skills

• Customer service · Preferred
• Regulatory Compliance · Preferred
• Negotiation · Preferred
• Financial analysis · Preferred
• Business development · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Residential Mortgage Underwriting
• Credit Adjudication
• Credit Risk Assessment
• Mortgage Origination
• Business Development
• Broker Relationship Management
• Referral Network Development
• Complex Transaction Structuring
• Financial Analysis
• Credit Decision-Making
• Regulatory Compliance
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
• Know Your Client (KYC)
• Negotiation
• Customer Service
• Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Job areas

• Finance & Accounting
• Sales
• Customer Service & Support

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