Mgr - Indirect Lending Underwriting

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

THE DETAILS

Job Code:

12053

Grade:

26S

Status:

Exempt

POSITION AND PURPOSE

The Indirect Lending Underwriting Manager serves as a key leader supporting Golden 1's indirect underwriting team and dealer management operations. This role is responsible for overseeing complex credit decisions, including the evaluation and approval of consumer loan applications, while ensuring the loans meet the credit union's quality standards and remain within risk parameters. The manager guides underwriters to achieve production goals and upholds compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements. In addition, this position oversees the onboarding and approval process for new dealerships, authorizing their participation in the indirect lending program. The Underwriting Manager monitors department KPIs and SLAs, stays informed of market trends, competitive programs, and regulatory changes, and manages the performance and development of the underwriting staff. The ideal candidate demonstrates advanced analytical abilities, sound judgment, and comprehensive knowledge of consumer lending practices. This role is critical to Golden 1's risk management strategy, operational excellence, and the success of its dealership partnerships.

WHO WE ARE

Golden 1 Credit Union is among the top credit unions in the country. As a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative, Golden 1 is guided by the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” We are committed to empowering our members and uplifting our communities as we create a more equitable and financially inclusive California. We welcome all who embrace our Core Values.

WHO YOU ARE

You lead Golden 1’s indirect underwriting execution by guiding complex credit decisions, ensuring consistent application of credit policy, and delivering high-quality, risk-aligned outcomes that support growth and strong dealership partnerships.

You are a decisive, data-driven underwriting leader with advanced credit judgment who balances production goals with quality, compliance, and fair, consistent decision-making, while coaching and developing underwriters in a high-volume environment.

You build a culture of accountability and continuous improvement by owning KPIs/SLAs, strengthening quality assurance and audit readiness, partnering across Risk/Compliance/Finance, and overseeing dealership onboarding and performance to protect the credit union’s risk appetite and credit culture.

THE WORK

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Serve as a strategic leader responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of credit policy and underwriting outcomes, supporting Golden 1 Credit Union’s growth objectives while maintaining a prudent risk profile.

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Evaluate and interpret credit policies, regularly reviewing credit decisions and portfolio trends to ensure alignment with the credit union’s risk appetite and growth strategies.

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Underwrite complex transactions requiring advanced underwriting skills including, but not limited to, personal and business cash-flow analysis, collateral review and research, and detailed credit risk analysis.

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Assess underwriting outcomes, recommend enhancements to credit guidelines, and communicate results and actionable insights to leadership. Prepare detailed credit memos and present findings to leadership.

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Lead a team of underwriters in a high-volume, fast-paced environment, providing direction, mentoring, and professional development to ensure high standards of performance and service.

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Guide the analysis and underwriting of complex consumer loan transactions, including advanced credit risk assessment, collateral evaluation, and cash flow analysis.

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Delegate workflows and monitor staff performance to ensure timely and accurate loan dispositions, especially under high call volume conditions.

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Establish and enforce quality assurance standards and performance metrics for underwriting and dealership management, ensuring strict adherence to internal and regulatory requirements. Conduct regular audits and quality control reviews to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

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Prepare and present regular reports on department KPIs, SLAs, and credit outcomes to senior management, supporting data-driven decision making. Accountable for indirect underwriting KPIs, SLAs, and reporting on production.

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Collaborate with Risk, Compliance, and Finance teams to ensure audit readiness, resolve operational issues, and implement improvements in policies and procedures.

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Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and positive employee engagement within the underwriting team and across dealership relationships.

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Direct and/or counsel Dealer Services underwriting staff in conjunction with their underwriting, negotiation, sales, and processing functions. Measure and assess underwriting performance as well as staff performance relative to adherence with the credit union’s stated credit culture.

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Manage daily productivity of the team to achieve established daily average dispositions (initial credit approvals, declines, counter offers).

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Document monthly conversations with team members, as well as general huddles held, and/or specific feedback/direction given to team members.

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Maintain a thorough understanding of state and federal laws and regulations related to credit union compliance including bank secrecy, anti-money laundering, and lending laws appropriate to the position. Ensure compliance with audit standards and regulatory requirements.

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Develop, deliver, and manage the consumer indirect underwriting training and certification program along with the Lending Management Team. Communicate strategies that are focused on the delivery of key business goals. Facilitate formal “classroom” training, on-the-job training, and provide on-going development training through seminars and individual counseling.

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Oversee the operational management of dealership onboarding, ensuring all new and existing dealerships meet the credit union’s standards for participation in the indirect lending program.

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Approve dealerships for program inclusion based on thorough review of documentation, compliance, and risk assessment.

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Manage dealership performance and conduct ongoing quality assurance reviews to ensure compliance and operational excellence. Maintain accuracy of all internal systems and dealership records during additions or terminations.

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Collaborate with applicable internal stakeholders and business unit leaders to identify, research, validate, implement, and evaluate opportunities to enhance underwriting, operational efficiency, and develop strong operational procedures. Provide Dealer Services lending program guideline recommendations and support new products as necessary.

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Partner with the leadership to define departmental goals and strategic initiatives.

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Collaborate with applicable internal stakeholders and business unit leaders to identify, research, validate, implement, and evaluate opportunities to enhance underwriting and processing policies, Dealer Services lending program guidelines, and new products as necessary.

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Foster a positive and engaging work environment for each team member by promoting skill development, coaching for improvement and growth, inspiring others through your words and actions, ensuring positive employee morale throughout Golden 1, and embracing our mission, vision, and core values.

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Perform additional duties as assigned to support the strategic objectives of Golden 1 Credit Union.

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Develop and maintain an understanding of the pertinent regulatory requirements and risks inherent to job responsibilities, establish, and maintain control activities that mitigate those risks consistent with the Credit Union’s risk appetite, and ensure operational integrity and compliance with applicable regulations

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Develop and maintain an understanding of the pertinent regulatory requirements and risks inherent to job responsibilities, establish, and maintain control activities that mitigate those risks consistent with the Credit Union’s risk appetite, and ensure operational integrity and compliance with applicable regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS

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Bachelor’s Degree in related field or equivalent work experience required

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7+ years progressive responsibility underwriting consumer loans in a fast paced environment within a financial institution with a proven track record of high performance and quality required and

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3+ years underwriting supervisory experience required

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Demonstrated leadership, analytical, and decision-making abilities. High level of customer service and proven leadership and management skills. In-depth knowledge of federal and statutory requirements, as well as Golden 1 policies and procedures. Exceptional interpersonal and group dynamic skills. Key competencies include, but are not limited to:

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Credit risk judgment and exception governance

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Fair Lending/UDAAP awareness and decision consistency

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Process improvement and capacity planning

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Coaching/performance management in a production environment

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Data-driven management using dashboards for SLA/KPI ownership

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Proven leadership experience in underwriting or consumer lending operations

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Strong knowledge of indirect lending programs and dealer services

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Personal computer skills and knowledge/ability to operate loan origination and underwriting software

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Team player with supervisory and training skills

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Exceptional analytical and decision-making skills with a focus on risk management

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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate across departments

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Proficiency in loan origination systems and Microsoft Office Suite

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Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

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None

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Drives for Results - Ensures team meets goals 

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Collaborates Across Teams - Promotes inclusion and teamwork 

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Builds Trust and Credibility - Earns confidence through integrity

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Develops Others Through Feedback - Supports employee growth 

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Takes Initiative - Owns outcomes Builds

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Strategic Partnerships - Connects across functions

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS

INTERNAL:

Management group and all levels of staff including the Internal Audit department, Corporate Compliance, Legal, Credit Manager, and Board of Directors.

EXTERNAL:

Members and peers in financial institutions, dealerships, and vendors.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work time includes weekend and after-hours time, based on organizational needs. This position works in-office where working conditions, lighting, temperature, audio, and workspace are all sufficient.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work requires the ability to constantly operate a computer and the ability to read, type, and communicate. Work may require the ability to move work-related supplies weighing up to 10-15 pounds.

DISCLAIMER/INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by team members within this classification. Because the nature of positions and job functions can change over time, this job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all essential functions, duties, responsibilities and qualifications requirements of team members assigned to this job. Job duties may be changed or modified in the Credit Union’s discretion. The Credit Union will keep team members updated on key functions, duties, and requirements of their position by communications from the Credit Union and by updating the job description from time to time. Any team member with questions about the nature of their job duties is encouraged to consult with their supervisor.

DECLARATION/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This job description outlines the essential functions and physical/mental requirements necessary to perform this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.