Leads the Agency Underwriting Department, overseeing mortgage underwriting operations, productivity, quality, compliance, staffing, budgeting, capacity planning, workflow optimization, and service levels. Coaches and develops underwriting staff, manages KPIs and performance reporting, supports FHA and VA guideline compliance, resolves escalated credit decisions, and partners cross-functionally on process improvements and strategic initiatives. The role also implements offshore staffing strategies and ensures underwriting practices meet agency, investor, federal, state, and company requirements.