PB Mortgage Lending Team Lead

Citizens; Johnston (RI); On-site; USD 165,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Retirement benefits

Maternity/paternity leave

Flexible work arrangements

Education reimbursement

Wellness programs

Job summary

Citizens is seeking a leader to drive the Residential Lending team, overseeing the pipeline from application to closing and guiding complex loan underwriting. This role requires strong leadership, collaboration with sales, processing, and closing teams, and a focus on process improvements and KPI-driven performance.

The position emphasizes mentorship and escalation handling to resolve bottlenecks and optimize loan transactions while delivering exceptional client service.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years residential real estate underwriting experience.
• 5+ years of management experience in financial services.
• Private Banking or HNW underwriting experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Pipeline Management & Optimization: Oversee the residential lending pipeline, ensuring efficient loan processing from application to closing.
• Complex Deal Underwriting: Handle more complex loan applications, assess risk and support team on structuring deals.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Supervise, coach, and mentor Residential Lending Specialists.
• Escalation Point & Problem Solver: Primary contact for escalated pipeline issues with timely solutions.
• Collaboration & Communication: Coordinate with sales, processing, and closing teams; provide status updates.
• Performance Reporting & Analysis: Monitor KPIs and report on pipeline activity and team performance.
• Strategic Initiatives: Contribute to strategic initiatives to enhance the lending platform.

Skills

Residential real estate underwriting

Management experience

Private Banking/HNW underwriting

Job description

Description

Lead and inspire a high-performing team of Residential Lending Specialists, driving operational excellence in day-to-day pipeline management and underwriting complex loan transactions. Serve as the primary escalation point for pipeline challenges, providing expert guidance and solutions to ensure seamless loan processing and exceptional client service. This role requires a deep understanding of residential lending, exceptional leadership skills, and a proven ability to navigate complex deals while fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment.

Primary responsibilities include

• Pipeline Management & Optimization: Oversee the residential lending pipeline, ensuring efficient loan processing from application to closing. Proactively identify and address bottlenecks, implement process improvements, and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to maximize productivity and meet service level agreements.

• Complex Deal Underwriting: As needed, personally handle the more complex and challenging loan applications, leveraging advanced underwriting expertise to assess risk and make sound lending decisions. Provide guidance and support to team members on structuring complex deals.

• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Provide day-to-day supervision, training, coaching, and mentorship to Residential Lending Specialists. Foster a positive and collaborative team environment, promoting continuous learning and professional development.

• Escalation Point & Problem Solver: Serve as the primary point of contact for escalated pipeline issues, providing timely and effective solutions to resolve complex problems and remove roadblocks. Proactively identify and mitigate potential risks.

• Collaboration & Communication: Effectively collaborate with internal partners, including sales, processing, and closing teams, to ensure seamless loan transactions. Maintain open communication with stakeholders, providing regular updates on pipeline status and key initiatives.

• Performance Reporting & Analysis: Monitor and analyze key performance metrics, providing regular reports to management on pipeline activity, loan quality, and team performance. Identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

• Strategic Initiatives: As needed, contribute to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives to enhance the residential lending platform, improve efficiency, and drive business growth.

Qualifications, Education, Certifications and/or Other Professional Credentials

• 5-10 years residential real estate underwriting experience

• 5+ years of management experience in financial services

• Private Banking or HNW underwriting experience preferred

Hours & Work Schedule

• Hours per Week: 40

• Work Schedule: M-F 8:00-5:00

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $165,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year, plus an opportunity to earn additional incentive earnings. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the budget, work location, and relevant skills and experience.

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits .

Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.

Why Work for Us

At Citizens, you'll find a customer-centric culture built around helping our customers and giving back to our local communities. When you join our team, you are part of a supportive and collaborative workforce, with access to training and tools to accelerate your potential and maximize your career growth

Background Check

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the candidate successfully passing a background check, which may include initial credit, motor vehicle record, public record, prior employment verification, and criminal background checks. Results of the background check are individually reviewed based upon legal requirements imposed by our regulators and with consideration of the nature and gravity of the background history and the job offered. Any offer of employment will include further information.

10/30/2026