GSE Chief Underwriter

Merchants Bancorp • Washington, DC

5d

About The Position

The GSE Chief Underwriter serves as the senior authority on credit risk and underwriting standards for the organization, providing strategic oversight and credit leadership across all GSE multifamily loan products. This role provides strategic leadership to the underwriting function, overseeing assignment distribution and file review, guiding staff development, and exercising key decision-making authority on complex transactions and credit committee deliberations. The Chief Underwriter is also accountable for maintaining strong operational controls, fostering productive relationships with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and driving continuous improvement across underwriting processes, training, and team performance. Through this leadership, the Chief Underwriter ensures the consistent application of Agency and investor guidelines, safeguards credit quality, and advances the organization’s commitment to disciplined, high-quality underwriting. The Chief Underwriter will serve as a key underwriting resource, sharing expertise across all product types and overseeing the assignment and scheduling of underwriting work. The role includes providing credit policy guidance on individual transactions, reviewing and approving underwriting narratives and loan files, and actively participating as an approved member of the company’s internal credit committee. The Chief Underwriter will ensure that strong systems and controls are in place to support accurate risk assessment, high-quality underwriting, and full compliance with investor, GSE, and company requirements. Through these efforts, the Chief Underwriter will help maintain consistent underwriting standards, strengthen credit quality, and support the overall effectiveness of the underwriting function

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Real Estate, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of four years of supervisory or management experience, demonstrating strong leadership capabilities and a proven ability to mentor and develop team members.
• At least ten years of multifamily loan underwriting experience, including extensive work with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac products; affordable housing experience required.
• Deep knowledge of Agency lending guidelines, with the ability to apply credit parameters effectively to mitigate credit risk.
• Demonstrated ability to design, refine, and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication, advocacy, customer service, and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, direction, and support to the underwriting team to ensure all underwriting packages fully comply with GSE guidelines.
• Oversee and manage team workload, ensuring high-quality, accurate, and timely completion of loan applications and related deliverables.
• Review loans for internal credit committee approval prior to company and agency submission, offering clear feedback and final recommendations.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae underwriting and credit teams.
• Drive operational efficiency by identifying, implementing, and optimizing process improvements, including enhanced use of technology.
• Develop and oversee ongoing training and professional development programs to support the growth and effectiveness of all team members.
• Ensure clear, consistent communication between the underwriting team and internal and external transaction stakeholders.
• Monitor, interpret, and distribute updates to GSE underwriting policies and guidelines, providing training and guidance as needed.
• Manage relationships with contract underwriting firms, ensuring quality, consistency, and adherence to company standards.
• Support special projects and perform additional administrative responsibilities as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level