Underwriter, Alternative Mortgages

Neo Financial; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity Ownership

Competitive salary

Health benefits

PTO 21 days + holidays

Life insurance

Job summary

Neo Financial is seeking an experienced Alternative Mortgage Underwriter to assess complex applications from across Canada, verify documents, and structure financing solutions with a customer‑centric approach.

You will partner with Mortgage Sales and brokers, manage a dynamic pipeline, maintain SLAs, and stay current on industry trends while delivering exceptional service.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of underwriting experience in the Canadian mortgage industry (Alternative Mortgage Lending).
• Passion for growth and excellence, especially in a startup environment.
• Strong client service orientation and commitment to delivering quality results.
• Superior communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent time management and organizational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Review incoming applications, verify documentation, and approve/decline or refer for approval; follow up to close deals efficiently.
• Review appraisals to ensure they meet guidelines.
• Meet SLAs, productivity, and risk/audit targets.
• Follow up with brokers daily to maximize funding through pipeline management.
• Communicate mortgage processes clearly with Sales, brokers, and partners.
• Use problem-solving to make prudent decisions on complex mortgage files.
• Develop expertise in Neo products, tools, and Salesforce CRM capabilities.
• Stay current on industry trends to maintain a competitive edge.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Underwriting experience

Canadian mortgage industry

Alternative Mortgage Lending

Client service

Communication skills

Time management

Tools

Salesforce CRM

Job description

Join us to build a more rewarding financial future for all Canadians

At Neo, we’re on a mission to build a more rewarding financial future for all Canadians. Life at a rapidly scaling tech startup isn’t for everyone. It’s complex, fast-paced, high-pressure, but also incredibly fulfilling. Since its founding in 2019, Neo has gained incredible traction and is one of the fastest-growing fintech companies in Canada.

• #1 on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 for 2023, 2024, and 2025 — the first company ever to achieve a three-peat at the top!
• #1 Fastest Growing Company in Canada for 2024 by Globe & Mail
• Top-ranked mobile apps and credit cards
• Team of 500+ people
• 1M+ customers
• 10K+ retail partners

Please note, while this role is listed as both onsite and remote, the remote opportunity is only available to individuals residing within Canada.

The Role

We're looking for experienced Alternative Mortgage Underwriters who will be responsible for making sound credit decisions, verifying documents and structuring solutions for clients whose needs or circumstances may fall outside of traditional lending criteria from across the country. You’ll take a thoughtful, common-sense approach to underwriting; looking beyond the numbers to understand the full story of each application while balancing customer needs, credit quality and risk. You’ll work closely with our Mortgage Sales team and third party brokers to identify effective financing solutions and deliver an exceptional customer experience. You’ll be an integral part of enabling Neo to deliver a full range of financing products and services partnered with an exceptional customer experience.

If you love a fast paced environment and enjoy solving complex lending scenarios on a team where growth and opportunities are constant, you’ll fit right in with this team!

What you’ll be doing

• On a daily basis, you will promptly review incoming applications, verify supporting documentation for accuracy and legitimacy, and approve, decline, or refer applications for approval. You will also ensure that approved deals close as scheduled and as efficiently as possible by following up on outstanding conditions/documents and ensuring compliance with established guidelines.
• Review documents including appraisals to ensure they meet established guidelines.
• You will ensure that established Service Level Agreements (SLAs), productivity, and risk/audit parameters are met.
• You will follow up with brokers daily on issued mortgage commitments to maximize funding volumes. You will do this through active pipeline management.
• You successfully deliver mortgages from the application stage through to funding. You communicate clearly and effectively with the Sales team, mortgage brokers, and internal/external partners to ensure they understand the mortgage process, expectations, and required documentation.
• You utilize a hands-on approach and problem-solving skills to make prudent decisions on complex mortgage files.
• You develop subject matter expertise in the functionality and features of products, services, tools, technology, and Salesforce CRM capabilities.
• You remain current on the latest industry trends to secure a competitive advantage.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Who we are looking for

• You have 3+ years of underwriting experience in the Canadian mortgage industry, in Alternative Mortgage Lending
• You have a passion for growth and excellence, consistently striving to deliver the highest quality results in a startup environment
• You bring epic focus and energy, with a strong dedication to client service
• You have superior communication skills, both verbal and written
• You're highly organized with exceptional time management capabilities

Total Rewards

As Neo continues to grow, we’re committed to offering a competitive, market-leading rewards program that reflects the impact our team members make. In addition to salary, our program includes equity — empowering employees to share directly in our momentum today and in the meaningful value we create for years to come.

• Salary: We provide a strong base salary aligned with market ranges, along with the flexibility to tailor your mix of cash and equity to match your longer term goals. Final compensation is based on your skills, experience, and scope. For exceptional talent, we’re prepared to go above and beyond.
• Equity Ownership (Where Eligible): At Neo, you don’t just work here, you own a piece of what we’re building. As a full‑time team member, you share directly in the upside of one of Canada’s fastest‑growing companies. When we win, you win — with real ownership and meaningful long‑term wealth‑building potential tied to our success.

What does life as an Owner at Neo Include?

You will redefine the financial landscape with top talent in Canada to help everyday Canadians win, and grow quickly while doing it.

For eligible roles, ownership structure that enables you to share in our path to victory.

Earn BIG with our short term incentive plans (STIP).

Collaborating with the brightest minds to build something meaningful, united by a shared commitment to innovation, curiosity, and excellence.

Flexible health benefits & life insurance.

21 Days PTO + stat holidays, and personal leave.

Health & personal spending accounts.

A wide variety of discounts through our partner network.

Access to early use of products and discounts on fixed‑term Neo mortgages.

Parental top‑up & equity vesting during long term leave.

Neo night events.

Company wide huddles, and education.

Working at Neo:

The people who thrive at Neo are resourceful, growth‑oriented, and driven to win. We hold ourselves to high standards because we’re on a mission that matters: to build a more rewarding financial future for all Canadians. As individuals and as a team, we constantly challenge ourselves and each other to raise the bar and deliver exceptional experiences for our customers. Our commitment to customer success drives everything we do, from building world‑class products to providing exceptional support at every step of their journey. If this resonates with you, keep reading.

We trust, respect, and support each other. This means honest conversations, constructive input, and empowering each other to move fast and think big. You’ll be surrounded by people who push you to be your best. We primarily collaborate in person across our Calgary, Winnipeg, and Toronto offices, where ideas move quickly and teams build momentum together. As we continue to scale and evolve, we’re looking for builders, innovators, and problem solvers who thrive on challenge–people who would rather blaze a trail through uncertainty than follow a well‑paved path.

At Neo, ownership is part of how we think and operate. For select roles, equity participation reinforces that mindset by giving employees a direct stake in the company’s long‑term success. Regardless of role, every team member is expected to think like an owner and make decisions that move the business forward.

We believe in equal opportunity and are committed to creating an inclusive climate where everyone can thrive. Customers trust us with their finances, so successful candidates for this position will be required to undergo a security screening, including a criminal records check and a credit check.