Professional, ABF IMS Credit and Valuations Associate

KKR; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

KKR is seeking a detail-oriented Credit & Valuations Associate to join our residential mortgage whole loan acquisition team in Dallas. You will contribute to valuation and credit review processes underpinning our secondary market strategy, leveraging deep experience in appraisal review and mortgage underwriting to develop scalable processes and serve as a SME for the team.

The role collaborates with deal teams globally, requires strong analytical skills, and a commitment to operational

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience reviewing URARs, BPOs, and AVMs.
• Understanding USPAP, Dodd-Frank, and GSE requirements.
• Knowledge of mortgage underwriting standards (DTI, LTV, FICO, reserves).
• Familiarity with conventional, business purpose, and non-QM lending and risks.
• Experience in secondary market operations or loan review.
• 4–5+ years in residential mortgage valuations, operations or acquisition diligence.
• Strong communication, organization and analytical thinking.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed appraisal reviews of residential mortgage loans.
• Develop tiered workflows for third-party valuation tools (AVMs, BPOs, desktops).
• Provide clear review commentary and actionable acquisition recommendations.
• Create procedures for ongoing review of supplemental valuations from loan servicing.
• Serve as knowledge source on appraisal activity, market dynamics, and standards.
• Review underwriting guidelines and align with third-party vendors for a consolidated framework.
• Maintain versions of originator guidelines and track loan origination details.
• Monitor trends in underwriting guidelines and market practices.
• Assist in reviewing credit diligence results and document exceptions.

Skills

Residential valuations

URAR/BPO review

AVMs use

Underwriting standards

Excel analytics

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Collateral Analytics

CoreLogic

Black Knight

Job description

Company Overview

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries.

Company Overview

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries.

K-star Investment Services Overview

K-Star Asset Management LLC (\"K-Star\") was formed in 2022 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of KKR. K-Star Investment Services supports the risk management of its Asset-Based Finance investments, asset management, securities investing, and client experience for its Real Estate Credit franchise as both verticals continue to scale. The K-Star team includes industry specialists to oversee residential mortgage investments, consumer finance investments, special servicing, stabilized and transitional loan asset management across many KKR investment portfolios.

K-star Investment Services Overview

K-Star Asset Management LLC (\"K-Star\") was formed in 2022 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of KKR. K-Star Investment Services supports the risk management of its Asset-Based Finance investments, asset management, securities investing, and client experience for its Real Estate Credit franchise as both verticals continue to scale. The K-Star team includes industry specialists to oversee residential mortgage investments, consumer finance investments, special servicing, stabilized and transitional loan asset management across many KKR investment portfolios.

Position Summary

K-Star is seeking a detail-oriented and analytically rigorous Credit & Valuations Associate to join our residential mortgage whole loan acquisition team. In this dual-function role, you will serve as a key contributor to both the valuation and credit review processes that underpin our secondary market acquisition strategy. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in residential appraisal review and mortgage credit underwriting, with the ability to develop scalable processes and serve as a subject matter expert for the broader team. The role is based in Dallas and collaborates regularly with the deal team at KKR. We are passionate about operational excellence and providing our investment and business operations colleagues the ability to seamlessly execute liquid and private credit investments around the globe. We are committed to continuous improvement, both in the operations we perform and in the environment in which we work. We work in collaborative teams within the context and support of a large, global investment firm. We can offer challenging and rewarding work and opportunities for career advancement and learning in both the business and operational spheres.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed appraisal reviews on residential mortgage loans, evaluating for accuracy, reasonableness, current market trends, and overall property condition
• Develop a tiered process flow for utilizing third-party valuation tools (AVMs, BPOs, desktop appraisals) to support and corroborate review conclusions
• Provide clear, well-documented review commentary and actionable recommendations to support acquisition decisions
• Create and implement a systemic procedure for the continued review of supplemental valuations obtained by loan servicing to ensure ongoing accuracy and compliance
• Serve as the primary knowledge source on the team for all appraisal-related activity, market dynamics, and evolving industry standards
• Review originator underwriting guidelines for variations across counterparties and collaborate with third-party vendors to create a consolidated framework that highlights key differences across guidelines
• Maintain current and historical versions of originator underwriting guidelines, and track the specific guideline version under which individual loans were originated
• Monitor and analyze trends across underwriting guidelines to proactively identify shifts in market standards and lending practices
• Aid in reviewing credit diligence results, identifying compensating factors, and documenting exceptions for new loan acquisitions

QUALIFCATIONS

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree
• Strong working knowledge of residential appraisal methodologies, including the cost, sales comparison, and income approaches to value
• Demonstrated experience reviewing Uniform Residential Appraisal Reports (URARs), Broker Price Opinions (BPOs), and Automated Valuation Models (AVMs)
• Thorough understanding of evolving appraisal regulations (USPAP, Dodd-Frank, GSE requirements) and secondary market valuation trends
• Deep understanding of residential mortgage credit underwriting standards and key performance metrics (DTI, LTV, FICO, reserves, etc.)
• Familiarity with conventional, business purpose (DSCR, fix-and-flip), and non-QM lending requirements and their respective risk profiles
• Hands-on experience in secondary market operations, post-close quality control, or investor-level loan review
• 4–5+ years of progressive experience in residential mortgage whole loan valuations, operations, and/or acquisition diligence
• Versatile, innovative, and analytical professional who is a critical thinker with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear conclusions
• Excellent attention to detail with strong organizational skills and effective time management in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present findings, collaborate cross-functionally, and perform effectively in a deadline-driven environment
• Knowledge of the loan acquisition process, warehouse lending, loan securitization, and servicing transfers is a plus
• Proficiency with industry-standard appraisal and credit platforms (e.g., Collateral Analytics, Clear Capital, CoreLogic, Black Knight)
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including data analysis, pivot tables, and scenario modeling
• Experience working with loan-level data tapes and due diligence platforms
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks governing residential mortgage lending and secondary market transactions

KKR is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by applicable law.

KKR will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Individuals seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process should email [e-mail]. Emails sent for unrelated issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access https://www.kkr.com/careers because of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by sending an email to [e-mail]. Only emails left for this purpose will be returned.

Massachusetts Applicants:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. This notice applies only to applicants and employees who work or will work in Massachusetts, in accordance with applicable state law.