Director, Mortgage Loan Underwriting

Zillow

2d•Remote

About The Position

At Zillow Group, we are transforming the way people buy, sell, and finance homes. Our Underwriting team plays a critical role in delivering high-quality credit decisions that balance risk management, customer experience, and operational efficiency. We work at the center of credit policy, operations, and technology to ensure consistent, compliant, and scalable underwriting outcomes. About the role The Director, Underwriting is a senior leader responsible for overseeing underwriting operations, credit decision quality, and underwriter performance across the organization. This role ensures underwriting execution aligns with agency guidelines, investor requirements, and internal credit policy while supporting growth, efficiency, and an exceptional borrower experience. The ideal candidate is a seasoned underwriting leader with deep agency expertise, strong people leadership skills, and the ability to partner effectively across the mortgage lifecycle. This role works closely with Sales, Processing, Quality Control, Credit Policy, Risk, Compliance, Product, and Technology teams to drive aligned execution and continuous improvement.

Requirements

12+ years of experience in mortgage underwriting or related credit functions, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
Extensive knowledge of agency underwriting guidelines (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac) and mortgage regulatory requirements.
Proven experience leading large underwriting teams or multi-layered underwriting organizations.
Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess complex credit scenarios and balance risk with business objectives.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence and align cross-functional partners.
Experience operating in a high-volume, fast-paced environment and driving operational excellence through data and process improvement.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee underwriting operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and consistent credit decisions across all loan products.
Ensure adherence to agency, investor, and regulatory requirements, as well as internal credit policies and underwriting standards.
Manage and develop underwriting leaders and teams, fostering a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.
Partner closely with Mortgage Credit Policy to interpret and operationalize agency and investor guidance.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales and Processing leadership to align underwriting execution with pipeline expectations, service levels, and borrower experience goals.
Work closely with Quality Control to address defect trends, audit findings, and repurchase risk, ensuring root-cause remediation and sustainable improvements.
Monitor underwriting quality metrics, defect rates, and performance trends; implement corrective actions and process enhancements as needed.
Partner with Operations, Risk, Compliance, Product, and Technology to improve underwriting workflows, tools, automation, and scalability.
Support complex credit decisions, escalations, and exception requests, exercising sound judgment and risk-based decision-making.
Oversee underwriting participation in audits, QC reviews, and repurchase investigations, ensuring timely response and resolution.
Contribute to strategic initiatives, including new product launches, guideline changes, and operational transformations.