Mortgage Underwriter Team Lead

Job description

Who We Are Tomo is a digital mortgage company on a mission to eliminate the greed and complexity in lending, helping homebuyers save thousands of dollars. Our AI-driven customer experience makes the lending process faster, less frustrating, and more affordable. By passing these savings directly to homebuyers, we eliminate excessive fees and inflated rates that cost Americans billions each year. Backed by top-tier venture investors, including Ribbit, Citi Ventures, NFX and Progressive Insurance, Tomo is poised to become one of the most valuable fintech startups of our generation. Tomo is expanding our mortgage operations team, and we’re on the hunt for a high-impact Underwriting Team Lead to drive our success. In this role, you will be the "player-coach" of a dynamic underwriting squad, ensuring loan quality and efficiency by blending advanced technology with strategic human oversight. The ideal candidate is a bold, technical expert who loves to be in the weeds of the pipeline while simultaneously leveling up the team around them. You aren't just checking boxes; you are helping us modernize the loan origination system (LOS) and optimize workflows in a fast-paced, tech-forward environment. WHAT YOU’LL DO - Pipeline & Load Management: Actively balance the pipeline of new reviews among the team. You'll load balance as necessary to ensure we hit our aggressive turnaround times. - Loan-Level Leadership: Lead bi-weekly team meetings focused on resolving complex loan-level issues and technical questions. - Knowledge Management: Act as the primary owner of our internal knowledge base (Guru), ensuring all content is verified, updated, and reflects the latest guidelines and tech workflows. - Scenario & Tech Support: Monitor the Scenario Desk and internal channels to provide real-time guidance to the team, serving as the first line of defense for technical and guideline questions. - Onboarding & Training: Lead the charge in welcoming new hires, overseeing their onboarding journey and providing expert-level training on our LOS (Byte) and AI-driven tools. - Special Projects: Collaborate directly with the Underwriting Manager on strategic projects, product updates, and LOS modernization efforts. WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT FIT - Experience: 5+ years of recent mortgage underwriting experience, with a proven track record of informal leadership or mentoring. - Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of Conventional, FHA, VA, and Jumbo loans. DE and VA/SAR certifications are highly preferred. - Tech-Savvy: You aren't just "comfortable" with technology; you're an early adopter. Experience with Byte or similar LOS platforms is a plus. - Analytical Rigor: You have a "detective" mindset with meticulous attention to detail and a passion for finding solutions to complex financial profiles. - Communication: You can translate complex guidelines into actionable advice for your team and effectively bridge the gap between operations and product. - Adaptability: You thrive in a high-change, "startup" style environment where workflows evolve as we build better tools. WHY TOMO? At Tomo, we believe in pushing boundaries with technology to solve complex underwriting challenges, but we know it takes exceptional talent to bring this vision to life. We’re looking for a leader who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced setting and is ready to shape the future of mortgage underwriting with us. Location: This role is based in our NYC office on a hybrid schedule: Mon–Wed on-site, with Thurs/Fri remote optional. Employee Benefits We strive to anticipate your needs in order for you to be a healthy, motivated, and happy team member. We provide a variety of competitive benefits including (but not limited to): - Equity Ownership: All teammates receive stock options—we win together - Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for you and your dependents with some plans 100% covered - Work-life balance and a generous paid time off policy - In order to support teammates who become parents, Tomo Mortgage provides paid parental leave - 401(k) retirement plan