Foundational Team Member – MLO Sales Development Program

Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group offers a foundational rotational program in Grand Rapids, MI, designed to expose you to Sales, Underwriting, Operations, IT and more. For the first 90 days, you will be paid hourly while rotating with the START Team to learn how the mortgage process works.

Upon completion, you transition into Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) Sales with licensing support and the opportunity to build a pipeline and advance in mortgage sales.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1+ year in office, customer service, sales, financial services, or professional setting is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree is preferred but not required.
• Strong communication and organizational skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Learn how company systems, platforms, and technology are used in the mortgage process.
• Complete NMLS education, testing, licensing, and related requirements with company support.
• Understand how each department connects to the loan lifecycle.
• Collaborate with managers, mentors, and leaders to build mortgage industry knowledge.
• Develop foundational knowledge to transition into an MLO Sales role.
• After program completion, move into the Mortgage Loan Originator/Sales role and build a client pipeline.
• Provide exceptional service to consumers and referral partners throughout the process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Time management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Analytical mindset

Problem solving

Dependable

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

Department: Sales

Reports to: Operations Manager or Branch Manager

Pay Grade: Hourly

Status: Regular, Full Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Work Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Training location for first 90 days: Ann Arbor, MI HQ

SUMMARY & PURPOSE OF POSITION:

This position is designed as a foundational and rotational role, providing exposure to the various departments and functions that support the mortgage loan process, including Sales, Underwriting, Operations, IT, Marketing, and more. The purpose of the program is to develop a well-rounded understanding of the mortgage business while preparing the team member for a long-term career as a Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) in Sales. For the first three months of employment, the Foundational Team Member will be paid on an hourly basis while rotating through various departments and working closely with our START Team members, department leaders, and mentors. During this time, the team member will gain hands-on knowledge of how Gold Star operates and how each department contributes to a successful mortgage transaction. As part of this development period, Gold Star will support and pay for the team member’s NMLS licensing requirements, including applicable licensing costs necessary to transition into an MLO role, subject to company policies and applicable regulatory requirements. At the completion of the foundational/rotational period, the successful team member will transition into the Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) Sales role. The ultimate goal of this program is to prepare high-potential individuals to confidently enter mortgage sales with a strong understanding of the complete loan process, the systems and teams that support it, and the knowledge necessary to provide an exceptional experience for consumers. The program provides the opportunity to learn how each role fits into the entire mortgage process - from application through closing - while identifying how your strengths and interests can contribute to Gold Star's continued success. While the program includes exposure to numerous departments, the intended long-term career path for this position is Mortgage Loan Originator/Sales.

PRIMARY POSITION-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Learn how the company's systems, platforms, and technology are utilized throughout the mortgage process;
• Complete required NMLS education, testing, licensing, and other applicable requirements with company support;
• Understand how each department connects to the next step in the loan lifecycle;
• Work closely with team managers, mentors, leaders, and coaches to develop mortgage industry knowledge and professional skills;
• Develop the foundational knowledge, skills, and relationships necessary to transition successfully into an MLO Sales position;
• Upon successful completion of the foundational program and applicable licensing requirements, transition into the Mortgage Loan Originator/Sales role;
• Once transitioned into the MLO role, develop and maintain a pipeline of mortgage business through prospecting, referral relationships, client engagement, and other approved sales activities;
• Provide exceptional service and communication to consumers and referral partners throughout the mortgage process;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills And Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• At least 1 year of relevant experience in process improvement or customer service
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills
• Dependable and proactive in meeting deadlines and managing multiple tasks

Preferred Education/Experience

• 1+ year of experience in an office, customer service, sales, financial services, or professional setting;
• Bachelor's degree preferred;
• Previous sales, lending, banking, real estate, or customer-facing experience is a plus but not required;
• Prior mortgage experience or NMLS licensing is a plus but not required.

Compensation & Licensing

• First 3 months: Paid hourly while participating in the foundational rotational program.
• NMLS Licensing: Gold Star will pay for required NMLS licensing-related costs, including applicable education, testing, and licensing expenses, subject to company policy and applicable regulatory requirements.
• After successful completion of the foundational program: The team member will transition into the Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) Sales role and move to the applicable MLO compensation structure.
• The transition into the MLO role is contingent upon successful completion of the foundational program, meeting performance expectations, and obtaining all required licenses/approvals.

NO DIRECT REPORTS

• No Direct Reports

PROGRAM EXPECTATION

This is a career-development position with a defined sales destination. The rotational experience is intended to provide the team member with a comprehensive understanding of the mortgage business and establish a strong foundation for success as a Mortgage Loan Originator.

Successful candidates should understand that while the first three months emphasize learning, development, and cross-functional exposure, the long-term expectation is to transition into a sales-focused MLO position and build a successful mortgage production career.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENT

The environment is characteristic of an office setting. Must be able to execute complex tasks on time sensitive transactions and be able to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.