Sr. Credit Underwriter

Watercress Financial Group; Des Moines, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly performance bonus (up to 7.5%)

Structured mentorship and training

Job summary

Watercress Financial Group is seeking a Senior Credit Underwriter in Des Moines, IA, to make complex risk-based decisions and lead underwriting initiatives in a data-driven fintech environment. You will guide junior underwriters, support audits, and collaborate with risk, compliance, and product teams to refine guidelines.

Ideal candidates bring deep underwriting experience, strong risk framework knowledge, and a collaborative mindset suitable for a fast-scaling tech-enabled company.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough, advanced credit analysis for complex loan files with high-dollar, layered risk.
• 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 calibration of underwriter performance.
• Partner with technology teams to optimize underwriting tools and automation logic.
• Maintain superior accuracy to uphold high performance standards.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Credit analysis

Decision making

Lending guidelines

DTI & LTV

Credit scoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or related field

Associate degree in finance or related field

Job description

The Senior Credit Underwriter serves as a key decision-maker and risk expert within the credit underwriting function, responsible for evaluating the most complex and high-risk loan applications. Operating in a data-driven, high-growth financial technology company, this role balances strategic oversight with hands-on underwriting to ensure that credit policies are applied consistently and prudently. The Senior Underwriter handles exceptions to standard criteria, leads secondary reviews, and partners with risk, compliance, and product teams to refine and evolve underwriting guidelines. This position also plays a leadership role in mentoring junior underwriters, supporting audit and quality control efforts, and ensuring the overall integrity of the credit portfolio. Ideal candidates will bring deep underwriting experience, a strong grasp of credit risk frameworks, and a collaborative mindset that thrives in a tech-enabled, fast-scaling environment.

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.
• All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Proficient in credit risk assessment and document review.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to mentor junior staff informally.?
• Detail oriented with strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to lead initiatives and mento cross-functional teams.

DETAILS

• Schedule will be Saturday through Tuesday from 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM, with Thursdays and Fridays off.
• Pay is based on experience and level placement, with rates starting at $28.37/hour for Credit Underwriter II and $32.81/hour for Senior Credit Underwriter.
• Up to 7.5% of annual salary paid out on a monthly basis, based upon performance, after the first 90 days of employment.