Job Application for Sr. Manager of Mortgage Lending Underwriting at Valon

About the Company

Valon is building the AI-native operating system for regulated finance, starting with mortgage servicing.

We're a Series C company backed by a16z, transforming industries that others have written off as too complex to innovate.

Rather than build on top of broken legacy systems, we took a different approach: we built and operate our own mortgage servicing business managing $110+ billion in loans. This wasn't the end goal, it was how we deeply understood the complexity needed to build software that actually works in regulated industries.

The results speak for themselves. We've transformed mortgage servicing from a 0% margin business into 60%+ margins while dramatically improving customer experience. Major enterprise contracts are now deploying across the industry.

ValonOS is our unified platform that makes every process structured and programmable and it is perfectly positioned for the AI era. When everything flows through one system with rich data, AI agents don't just automate tasks, they continuously improve entire operations. Mortgage servicing is just the beginning of our vision to transform regulated industries and beyond.

Lending at Valon

Valon is currently scaling up its mortgage lending business, which aims to provide Valon homeowners the ability to access low cost and streamlined mortgage loans and Valon partners 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 homeowners 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 this Role

The Sr. Manager of Mortgage Lending Underwriting will lead Valon Lending’s underwriting function, driving operational excellence, compliance, and innovation. This role will oversee all underwriting personnel, set the standard for quality and efficiency, and work cross-functionally with product, engineering, and sales to ensure an exceptional borrower experience. Reporting directly to the Director of Lending Operations, this leader will play a critical role in scaling our Consumer Direct mortgage business by building a best-in-class underwriting operation that blends technology with human expertise.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the underwriting team, fostering a high-performance, customer-centric culture
Oversee all underwriting operations for Consumer Direct mortgage products, ensuring alignment with agency, investor, and regulatory guidelines
Develop, implement, and continuously refine underwriting policies, procedures, and workflows
Partner with Product and Engineering to identify automation and efficiency opportunities within the underwriting process
Establish and track OKRs, KPIs, and performance metrics to measure success and drive continuous improvement
Engage with loan investors, agencies, insurers, and regulators to ensure compliance and operational readiness
Lead all training and professional development initiatives for underwriting staff
Collaborate with sales and processing teams to expedite loan decisions while maintaining rigorous quality standards

Ideal Background

10+ years of mortgage industry experience with at least 5 years managing underwriting teams
Experience in Consumer Direct lending environments strongly preferred
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, finance, economics, or related field—or equivalent experience FHA, DE, approved (preferred) or eligible
Strong technical acumen with the ability to identify and implement process automation opportunities
Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments
Familiarity with statistical and data-driven decision-making

Minimum Qualifications

Deep understanding of mortgage underwriting processes, mortgage regulations, and investor requirements (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA)
Expert knowledge of industry-standard underwriting systems, including Desktop Underwriter (DU) & Loan Product Advisor (LP/LPA)
Strong cross-functional communication skills and the ability to work effectively with technical and operational teams
Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality
High integrity and strong ethical standards
Availability for regular in-person collaboration and team engagement
Minimum education requirement: High school diploma or GED equivalent required

What We Can Offer

Compensation: competitive salary and 401 (k) plan
Health & well-being: we’ll invest in your physical and mental well-being with comprehensive medical, dental, & vision benefits
Food & meals: in-office snacks and drinks, and a $400 monthly stipend towards your lunches or groceries
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 & development opportunities, including regular review cycles that feature 360 degree feedback
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

Throughout the interview process, please remember that emails will only be from valon.com emails. We won't ever be asking for any personally identifiable information during the interview process itself. Please reach out to talent@valon.com if you have any requests to verify the authenticity of an outreach.

Valon is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. Valon makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

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