FHA/HUD Deputy Chief Underwriter – LEAN

KeyBank; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 128,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

KeyBank Real Estate Capital in Cleveland, OH is seeking a Deputy Chief Underwriter – LEAN to lead the FHA underwriting team and independently underwrite complex FHA‑insured healthcare transactions. You will mentor Senior Underwriters, guide deal structuring, and ensure disciplined risk management.

On-site role with preferred locations including Dallas, TX or Cleveland, OH or Overland Park, KS. The role requires seven+ years of direct FHA underwriting experience, a LEAN-approved status, and

Qualifications

• 7+ years FHA underwriting experience in multifamily loans with supervisory exposure.
• HUD LEAN approval status and strong knowledge of LEAN Guide and HUD Handbooks.
• Experience preparing underwriting narratives, cost certifications, and firm commitments.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and Excel-based analysis for multifamily underwriting.
• Experience reviewing third-party reports (appraisals, market studies, environmental reports).
• Excellent verbal and written communication with ability to lead teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the FHA Underwriting Team; allocate work by deal complexity and capacity.
• Underwrite complex FHA-insured transactions and ensure timely, compliant underwriting.
• Provide coaching, training, and performance reviews; recruit and onboard staff.
• Maintain QA of underwriting narratives and HUD documents; ensure risk controls.
• Interface with HUD, borrowers, and relationships teams to drive deals forward.

Skills

FHA underwriting

Leadership

Financial modeling

HUD/LEAN knowledge

Underwriting narratives

Third-party reports review

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Location

Location: 127 Public Square - Cleveland, Ohio 44114

ABOUT KEYBANK REAL ESTATE CAPITAL

KeyBank Real Estate Capital is one of the nation's leading commercial real estate finance platforms, offering a full range of debt and equity solutions for multifamily and commercial properties. Our Commercial Mortgage Group (CMG) is a top-tier FHA lender with a proven track record of originating and servicing FHA-insured healthcare loans across the country. We are committed to delivering exceptional client service while maintaining a disciplined, risk-conscious approach to every transaction.

JOB BRIEF (PURPOSE)

The FHA/HUD Deputy Chief Underwriter – LEAN is a player-coach role responsible for both individual production and team leadership. This position is expected to independently underwrite complex FHA-insured healthcare transactions — including large portfolios and single-asset loans — while also managing, coaching, and overseeing Senior Underwriters and the broader FHA Underwriting Team. The role provides day-to-day leadership, workflow direction, quality oversight, and training, ensuring transactions are assigned appropriately and executed with a high standard of credit quality, responsiveness, and client service. The Deputy Chief Underwriter serves as a senior underwriting authority, partnering closely with the Chief Underwriter, originators, and HUD to drive sound deal structuring, disciplined risk management, and timely execution across the FHA pipeline.

Please note: This is an on-site position and not eligible for remote or virtual work. The candidate will be required to work from a KeyBank office, with preferred locations including Dallas, TX or Cleveland, OH or Overland Park, KS.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Team Leadership & Pipeline Management

Lead and manage the FHA Underwriting Team, including Senior Underwriters, Underwriters, Analysts, and Loan Processors; assign transactions, balance workload, and ensure work is distributed appropriately based on deal complexity, experience, and capacity. Manage an individual underwriting portfolio while maintaining critical pipeline data and oversight across the broader team to ensure accurate reporting, visibility into deal status, and proactive management of timelines and bottlenecks. Coach, mentor, and develop Senior Underwriters and other team members through transaction review, real-time guidance, formal training, and ongoing feedback — with particular emphasis on sound credit judgment, the Lien Guide, HUD program requirements, and FHA underwriting fundamentals. Participate in recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees. Lead onboarding efforts to ensure seamless integration of new hires into the team. Conduct mid-year and year-end employee performance reviews. Conduct other reviews as necessary to address issues requiring immediate corrective action.

Credit Oversight & Risk Management

Independently underwrite complex FHA-insured transactions while overseeing the broader FHA underwriting process to ensure all loans are underwritten properly and firm commitments are issued on a timely basis. Review and quality-control underwriting narratives, HUD-form documentation, and related analyses prepared by Senior Underwriters and other team members for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable FHA policies, Lien Guide requirements, and internal credit standards. Assess transaction risk, provide risk mitigation strategies, and deal structuring recommendations. Ensure all risks are identified, documented, and appropriately addressed or escalated. Compare submissions to original quotes and screening terms to ensure conditions and stipulations have been fully addressed. Work with underwriters to ensure that waivers have been identified and properly requested from HUD.

HUD & Regulatory Governance

Establish and maintain productive working relationships with HUD field offices, the National Servicing Center, and other FHA counterparts to support approvals, waivers, policy interpretations, and issue resolution. Stay current on Lien Guide changes, HUD Mortgagee Letters, Housing Notices, and program updates. Ensure timely integration into underwriting practices, procedures, and training. Support audit readiness for all FHA underwriting activities, including internal audits, HUD reviews, OCC examinations, and regulatory inquiries.

Deal Strategy & Client Experience

Serve as a senior underwriting leader on deal calls, functioning as a hands‑on problem solver and troubleshooter while helping the team identify issues early and avoid last‑minute surprises. Work collaboratively with the relationships managers and mortgage bankers to problem‑solve, develop creative transaction structuring solutions, and drive new business opportunities. Interface directly with borrowers, HUD staff, and external clients when necessary, maintaining a proactive, professional, and transparent approach. Deliver responsive, exceptional customer service throughout all stages of the transaction process.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Review loan commitments to ensure they are consistent with Loan Committee and HUD approval conditions. Periodically review and update form documents such as underwriting narratives, commitment letters, and application templates. Periodically review and update FHA underwriting processes and procedures to reflect best practices and program changes. Work closely with counsel assigned to each transaction to ensure proper documentation in compliance with approval conditions and HUD program requirements. Represent KeyBank with professionalism and excellence at industry conferences, HUD training sessions, HMAC forums, and trade organization events. Travel as required, including overnight stays, to conduct property inspections and fulfill other job‑related duties.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of seven (7) years of direct experience underwriting FHA‑insured multifamily loans, with at least three (3) years in a supervisory or senior leadership capacity.
• Current LEAN‑approved Underwriter status with HUD.
• Demonstrated expertise in analyzing market rate and affordable multifamily FHA transactions, with deep knowledge of the LEAN Guide, HUD Handbooks, and FHA underwriting fundamentals.
• Proven experience preparing, reviewing, and quality‑controlling HUD‑required loan documentation, including underwriting narratives, cost certifications, and firm commitment applications.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and advanced Excel‑based analysis for multifamily underwriting.
• Experience reviewing and interpreting third‑party reports, including appraisals, market studies, environmental reports (Phase I/II), and physical condition assessments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex underwriting concepts clearly and professionally.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex transactions simultaneously.
• Bachelor's degree required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A degree in Real Estate, Finance, or Accounting is preferred; however, candidates with degrees in other relevant fields will be considered based on experience and qualifications.
• Familiarity with Low‑Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) structures and affordable housing regulatory requirements.
• Prior experience managing underwriting teams of four or more professionals.

COMPETENCIES / SKILLS

• Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently under tight deadlines.
• Exhibit initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Manage multiple complex transactions simultaneously while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy.
• Thrive in collaborative, team‑oriented environments, fostering cooperation and shared success.
• Resolve conflicts constructively and professionally, maintaining a calm and solution‑focused approach.
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in all underwriting work product.

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Credit Quality — Ensuring the integrity, consistency, and defensibility of all FHA underwriting decisions and HUD submissions.
• Risk Management — Early identification, escalation, and mitigation of material credit, compliance, and execution risks.
• Governance & Compliance — Adherence to the Lien Guide, HUD requirements, internal credit policy, and audit standards.
• Exceptional Client Experience — Delivering a predictable, transparent, and professional underwriting experience characterized by clear communication, timely decision‑making, and solution‑oriented credit guidance.
• Team Development — Recruiting, training, and retaining a high‑performing FHA underwriting team; promoting a positive working culture.
• External Credibility — Maintaining trust, credibility, and constructive working relationships with HUD, borrowers, and other key external stakeholders.

EQUIPMENT USED / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Proficient in PC‑based productivity tools including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat, with the ability to leverage these platforms for efficient documentation, analysis, and communication. Skilled in utilizing financial calculators and Excel‑based financial modeling tools for advanced underwriting, scenario analysis, and data‑driven decision‑making.

TRAINING REQUIRED

Complete all required KeyBank compliance training within designated timelines. Develop a thorough understanding of KeyBank's FHA underwriting and processing procedures to ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with internal protocols.

KEY INTERNAL PARTNERS

• Chief Underwriter / Underwriters / Underwriting Analysts
• Mortgage Banking / Relationship Managers
• Closing and Delivery Team Loan Servicing

KEY EXTERNAL PARTNERS

• HUD Field Offices & National Servicing Center
• Borrowers, Sponsors, and Guarantors
• Attorneys and Outside Legal Counsel
• Third‑Party Due Diligence Providers (Appraisers, Engineers, Environmental Consultants)
• Contract Underwriting Firms and Off‑Shore Support Partners

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position is eligible to earn a base salary in the range of $128,000.00 - $268,000.00 annually. Placement within the pay range may differ based upon various factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and geographic location. Compensation for this role also includes eligibility for incentive compensation which may include production, commission, and/or discretionary incentives.

Please click here for a list of benefits for which this position is eligible.

Job Posting Expiration Date: 10/30/2026

Equal Opportunity Employer

KeyCorp is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to sustaining an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to apply on this site may request reasonable accommodations by emailing [e-mail].

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