Company Mission
Orion Lending is a Nationwide Mortgage Banker, founded by proven industry leaders, who bring a legacy of
success and ambition to the Mortgage Banking industry. At the core of our business philosophy is a commitment to
extraordinary service, honesty, and clear communication. Our team is comprised of highly seasoned professionals
who share Orion Lending's objective to revolutionize our partners' expectations. At Orion Lending, we combine
innovative technology, a wide array of products and competitive pricing, to assist our network of originators grow
and develop their referral business and clientele.
Position Summary
The Underwriting Team Lead serves as a subject matter expert and internal resource for the underwriting team
and sales organization. This is a senior individual contributor, hourly (non-exempt) role with no direct reports. The
Team Lead partners closely with the Underwriting Manager to support team performance, quality assurance, and
professional development acting as the primary escalation point and a mentor to developing underwriters.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Escalation & Subject Matter Expertise
x Serve as the primary internal resource for complex underwriting questions and escalations from both the
UW team and the sales organization.
x Provide timely, well-reasoned guidance on risk assessment, coverage questions, and underwriting
decisions that fall outside standard authority levels.
x Collaborate with the Underwriting Manager on escalated cases requiring management-level review or
exceptions.
x Maintain up-to-date knowledge of underwriting guidelines, product changes, regulatory requirements,
and market trends.
x Serve as a subject matter expert for system-related challenges, assisting underwriters and sales with
navigation, troubleshooting, and best practices within the LOS
Onboarding, Training & Mentoring
x Partner with the Underwriting Manager to develop and deliver onboarding training for new underwriters.
x Supporting skill development and confidence in underwriting decisions.
x Identify training gaps and recommend targeted learning opportunities for individual underwriters.
x Contribute to the creation and maintenance of training materials, guidelines, reference tools, and best-
practice documentation.
x Foster a collaborative team culture that encourages questions, knowledge sharing, and continuous
learning.
Second-Level Reviews — Path to Authority and New to the Organization
x Conduct second-level underwriting reviews for new underwriters working within a supervised Path to
Authority framework.
x Evaluate submissions reviewed by new underwriters for accuracy, sound risk reasoning, and adherence to
guidelines.
x Provide structured, constructive feedback to new underwriters following each review to support their
professional development.
x Maintain review documentation and communicate findings to the Underwriting Manager as required.
x Track individual progress and flag concerns or readiness milestones to the Underwriting Manager for
authority advancement decisions.
Collaboration & Communication
x Build and maintain strong working relationships with the sales team, underwriters, and the Underwriting
Manager.
x Participate in team meetings, roundtables, and cross-functional discussions as a representative of
underwriting expertise.
x Contribute materials, talking points, and case studies to team meetings to support ongoing learning and
consistency.
x Help organize and facilitate knowledge shares, ensuring timely distribution of guideline updates, product
changes, and best practices across the team.
x Escalate concerns, trends, or systemic issues brought forward by underwriters or the sales team to the
Underwriting Manager in a timely and organized manner.
x Communicate clearly and professionally with internal stakeholders at all levels.
x Support the Underwriting Manager with special projects, workflow improvements, and other initiatives as
assigned.
Pipeline & File Management
x Assist with pipeline management to ensure files are moving efficiently through the underwriting workflow
and SLA expectations are being met.
x Coordinate initial file assignment and conditions assignment for incoming submissions, distributing work
appropriately across the team.
x Manage file and conditions reassignment as team availability, capacity, or priorities shift.
x As availability permits, provide overflow support by picking up conditions reviews to assist the team
during high-volume periods.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
Agency & Conventional Underwriting (Required)
x 15+ years of underwriting experience with demonstrated expertise in Agency: Minimum FHA and
Conventional underwriting authority required. Working knowledge of USDA and VA loan products,
including eligibility requirements, guidelines, and documentation standards.
x Strong understanding of underwriting principles, risk evaluation, AUS findings, and credit/income analysis.
x Proven ability to communicate complex underwriting concepts clearly to a variety of audiences.
x Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to convey decisions and feedback with clarity and
professionalism.
x Demonstrated ability to multitask and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
x Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
Non-QM (NQM) Underwriting — Separate Track
For candidates or incumbents aligned to the Non-QM team, the following requirements apply in lieu of the
agency/conventional track above:
x Working knowledge of all Non-QM products currently offered by Orion, including applicable guidelines,
documentation requirements, and risk parameters.
x Ability to evaluate non-traditional income documentation, alternative credit, and complex borrower
profiles.
x Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to convey decisions and feedback with clarity and
professionalism.
x Demonstrated ability to multitask and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
x Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
Preferred (All Tracks)
x Prior experience mentoring, training, or coaching colleagues.
x Familiarity with Path to Authority frameworks or structured underwriting development programs.
x Relevant industry designations (e.g.DE/SAR certifications).
Organizational Context
This role is an individual contributor position. The Underwriting Team Lead does not have direct supervisory or
management responsibility over other underwriters. Performance management, compensation decisions, and
formal authority advancement remain with the Underwriting Manager. The Team Lead's influence is exercised
through expertise, mentorship, and quality review rather than through a direct reporting relationship.
This is a non-exempt, hourly position. All hours worked must be accurately recorded in accordance with company
timekeeping policy. Overtime must be approved in advance by the Underwriting Manager.
Work Schedule & Time Zone
The Underwriting Team Lead must be available during the core business hours of the underwriting team they
support. Candidates must align their working hours and time zone with the assigned team's schedule. Remote or
hybrid arrangements do not alter this requirement.
Time zone alignment with the assigned UW team is required and is a condition of employment for this role.
Physical and Work Conditions
Standard office environment, equipment, and tasks, including work at a computer terminal. This position requires
partial sitting and walking throughout the day. Employees must be open to working overtime to complete assigned
tasks.
Job Description Acknowledgement
I have read and reviewed this job description, and I understand all essential job functions, duties, and
responsibilities and can perform the functions outlined. I understand that my job may change on a temporary basis
according to the needs of business.
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