Director of Lending Operations

About the Company

Valon’s mission is to empower every homeowner. We believe the journey of home ownership starts when you get your keys, but lasts far beyond. We’re creating a world where home ownership comes with ease, security, and financial know-how. Our growing team of engineers, operators, product enthusiasts, and experienced servicing professionals are leveraging technology to fundamentally improve the homeownership experience. Through mortgage servicing—the process of paying off one’s mortgage—Valon is taking the first step in transforming the industry one homeowner, and lender, at a time.

Lending at Valon

Valon is currently scaling up its mortgage lending business, which aims to provide Valon homeowners the ability to access low-cost, streamlined mortgage loans, and Valon’s partners the tools to retain customers. As a member of the Lending team, you will be directly involved in making it faster, easier, and cheaper for homeowners to get loans by reinventing the homeowner's journey. We are looking for experienced and innovative individuals who are eager to transform the mortgage industry for the better to help build our team and business.

About the Role

The Director of Lending Operations at Valon will lead and optimize the Underwriting, Processing, Setup Desk, Closing, and Post-Closing teams to create a seamless, client-centered mortgage lending experience. This role requires a strategic leader with a deep understanding of lending best practices who can balance speed, compliance, and excellence to support Valon’s growth. The Director will work closely with cross-functional teams to streamline loan processing workflows, enhance technology use, and uphold high compliance standards, all while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and development within the teams. This individual will set performance benchmarks, implement quality assurance frameworks, and leverage data analytics for informed decision-making. By building a cohesive, high-performing operation, the Director will play a pivotal role in driving Valon’s mission to modernize the mortgage industry.

Responsibilities

• Directly oversee the Underwriting, Processing, Setup Desk, Closing, and Post-Closing teams, setting clear goals and expectations.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop team members, identifying growth opportunities to support career progression and skill development.
• Design and implement operational strategies that align with Valon’s goals, enhancing loan processing, underwriting, and closing workflows for speed and quality.
• Identify and deploy process improvements to increase operational efficiency and reduce turnaround times.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support a seamless end-to-end lending experience for our clients.
• Ensure that all operational processes adhere to regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Implement quality assurance measures to maintain high standards in underwriting, processing, and closing.
• Regularly assess risk factors and develop mitigation plans to safeguard Valon’s lending operations.
• Develop metrics and performance benchmarks to monitor the success of lending operations.
• Present insights and strategic recommendations to senior leadership to drive data-informed decisions.
• Regularly assess team performance and adjust strategies to meet business goals.

Ideal Background

• 10+ years of experience in mortgage lending operations, with demonstrated experience leading underwriting, processing, and closing functions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, or a related field.
• Proven leadership skills, with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Strong knowledge of lending regulatory requirements and compliance standards.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills, with the ability to drive data-informed decision-making.

Minimum Qualifications

• Tech-savvy with experience in mortgage software and systems (experience with digital platforms is a plus).
• Proficiency in mortgage software and technology platforms; experience with digital mortgage solutions is a plus.

What we offer

• Compensation: Competitive salary with a meaningful stake in the company via equity, and 401(k) plan.
• Health & well-being: We’ll invest in your physical and mental well-being with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Commuter benefits: We offer pre-tax deductions for public transportation, rideshare services, and parking expenses to make your commute more affordable and convenient.
• Grow together: Company-wide orientation for you to successfully onboard, and other learning and development opportunities, including regular review cycles that feature 360-degree feedback.
• Play together: Quarterly budgets for team and company outings. Use it for team swag, cooking classes, or team dinners!
• Generous time off: Flexible paid time off, sick days, and 11 company holidays.
• Baby bonding time!: 12 weeks off for both birthing and non-birthing parents—fully paid so you can focus your energy on your newest addition.