Senior Credit Underwriter - Lead & Mentor Risk, Remote

Watercress Financial Group LLC; West Des Moines (IA); Remote; USD 37,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Watercress Financial Group LLC is seeking a Senior Credit Underwriter who will act as a key decision-maker and risk expert within the underwriting function. The role focuses on evaluating complex loan applications in a data-driven, tech-enabled environment, with leadership in mentoring junior underwriters and supporting audits.

The candidate will balance strategic oversight with hands-on underwriting, ensuring adherence to credit policies, and collaborating with risk, compliance, and product

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in finance, business or related field preferred.
• 1–2 years of experience as Credit Underwriter II or equivalent.
• Expert-level credit analysis and decision-making skills.
• Strong knowledge of lending guidelines including DTI, LTV and credit scoring.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough, advanced credit analysis for complex loan files including high-dollar, layered risk, and exception-based cases.
• Act as a resource for challenging loan files and edge-case scenarios.
• Conduct second-level reviews on escalated or borderline applications.
• Recommend policy updates and enhancements to underwriting criteria.
• Provide mentorship and informal training to level I and II Underwriters.
• Serve as a point of contact for internal audits, compliance inquiries, and exception approvals.
• Lead quality control reviews and contribute to underwriter training and performance calibration.
• Partner with technology teams to optimize underwriting tools and automation logic.
• Maintain superior accuracy to uphold high performance standards.

Skills

Credit analysis

Decision making

Lending guidelines

DTI/LTV knowledge

Education

Finance/business degree preferred

Job description

Watercress Financial Group LLC is seeking a Senior Credit Underwriter who will act as a key decision-maker and risk expert within the underwriting function. The role focuses on evaluating complex loan applications in a data-driven, tech-enabled environment, with leadership in mentoring junior underwriters and supporting audits.

The candidate will balance strategic oversight with hands-on underwriting, ensuring adherence to credit policies, and collaborating with risk, compliance, and product