Title Underwriting Assistant (Philadelphia or Pittsburgh)

First American•Pittsburgh, PA

53d•$20 - $27•Hybrid

About The Position

First American is looking to add a Title Underwriting Assistant/Commercial Title Assistant to our growing team. This position plays an important role in supporting commercial title and underwriting activities, including reviewing title searches, commitments, surveys, recorded documents, legal descriptions, endorsements, and other transaction-related documentation. You will partner closely with underwriters, attorneys, lenders, customers, and internal teams to help identify and resolve title matters and facilitate the timely and accurate completion of commercial real estate transactions. This position may be based out of our Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania office, providing the opportunity to work alongside an experienced commercial team while supporting sophisticated commercial real estate transactions.

Requirements

Working knowledge of ALTA title insurance policy forms, commitments, endorsements, and coverages, including Owner’s and Loan Policies.
Knowledge of title commitments and pro forma policies, including Schedule A, Schedule B-I requirements, and Schedule B-II exceptions.
Ability to review and understand title searches, commitments, surveys, recorded documents, legal descriptions, and supporting title documentation, and identify matters requiring additional review or escalation to an underwriter.
Familiarity with common title exceptions and requirements, including mortgages, judgments, liens, easements, restrictions, rights-of-way, taxes, assessments, and other recorded encumbrances.
Understanding of fundamental real estate and title concepts, including vesting, conveyances, legal descriptions, entity ownership, chain of title, and recording requirements.
Ability to review deeds, entity and authority documentation, resolutions, organizational documents, and other transaction-related documentation, recognizing matters that require underwriting review.
Knowledge of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, financing, refinances, construction transactions, and other complex commercial transactions.
Ability to review and compare surveys and legal descriptions and identify discrepancies, title matters, or other issues requiring further review.
Understanding of recording and post-closing title processes, including review of recorded documents, satisfaction of title requirements, and preparation and issuance of final title policies and endorsements.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple files, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-volume commercial environment.
Strong attention to detail, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to accuracy and quality.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with customers, attorneys, lenders, surveyors, abstractors, recording offices, and internal underwriting, escrow, sales, and production teams.
Demonstrated ability to take ownership of assigned files and responsibilities, proactively identify outstanding requirements, follow up on open items, anticipate next steps, and communicate status and potential issues without requiring continuous direction.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in determining when a matter should be escalated to an underwriter or other appropriate resource.
Strong commitment to responsiveness and customer service, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams to facilitate timely and accurate completion of transactions.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, title production systems, and electronic document management platforms, with the ability to quickly learn and effectively utilize new technology and systems.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in the title insurance, commercial real estate, legal, or related industry.
Experience supporting complex commercial or National Commercial Services transactions preferred.
Familiarity with multi-state commercial transactions and varying state-specific title and recording requirements is a plus.
Prior experience working directly with commercial real estate attorneys, institutional lenders, developers, investors, and other sophisticated commercial customers is preferred.

Responsibilities

Reviewing title searches, commitments, surveys, recorded documents, legal descriptions, endorsements, and other transaction-related documentation.
Partnering closely with underwriters, attorneys, lenders, customers, and internal teams to help identify and resolve title matters and facilitate the timely and accurate completion of commercial real estate transactions.
Preparing, reviewing, and revising title commitments, pro forma policies, final policies, endorsements, and related title documentation with a high degree of accuracy.
Reviewing deeds, entity and authority documentation, resolutions, organizational documents, and other transaction-related documentation, recognizing matters that require underwriting review.
Reviewing and comparing surveys and legal descriptions and identifying discrepancies, title matters, or other issues requiring further review.
Understanding of recording and post-closing title processes, including review of recorded documents, satisfaction of title requirements, and preparation and issuance of final title policies and endorsements.
Managing multiple files, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-volume commercial environment.
Taking ownership of assigned files and responsibilities, proactively identifying outstanding requirements, following up on open items, anticipating next steps, and communicating status and potential issues without requiring continuous direction.
Exercising sound judgment in determining when a matter should be escalated to an underwriter or other appropriate resource.
Working collaboratively across teams to facilitate timely and accurate completion of transactions.