Production Manager – Mortgage / Loan Origination Leadership

We are seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead and grow a high-performing mortgage origination team. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on recruiting, developing, and supporting Loan Officers while ensuring a smooth, compliant, and efficient loan pipeline.

This role is ideal for someone with strong experience in mortgage operations, team leadership, and business development who wants to build and scale a production team.

Job Description

Lead, recruit, hire, and train Loan Officers and support staff

Develop structured onboarding and mentorship programs for new hires

Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, production, and teamwork

Oversee daily loan pipeline activity to ensure timely closings

Partner with processing, underwriting, and closing teams to remove bottlenecks

Maintain high standards for loan quality, compliance, and customer service

Drive production growth through coaching, lead management, and referral strategies

Track and report key metrics including volume, pull-through rates, and turn times

Ensure compliance with FNMA, FHA, VA, and regulatory guidelines

Support business development by helping Loan Officers build referral networks

Represent the organization professionally within the local market

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience in mortgage origination

At least 2 years in a leadership or production management role

Proven experience recruiting, hiring, and developing Loan Officers

Strong knowledge of FNMA, FHA, VA guidelines and retail mortgage operations

Experience managing loan pipelines and ensuring efficient closings

Demonstrated leadership ability to coach, motivate, and hold teams accountable

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Must reside within commuting distance of Oak Lawn, IL

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. (no sponsorship available)

Preferred Experience

NMLS license (active or previously held)

Bachelor’s degree

Experience working at an independent mortgage bank or smaller lending institution

Familiarity with Encompass LOS or similar loan origination systems

Exposure to mortgage-backed securities (MBS) or servicing operations

Experience building and scaling a Loan Officer team

Interest in advancing into executive leadership

Benefits

Competitive base salary with strong bonus potential

Performance bonuses tied to Loan Officer hiring and production growth

Additional incentives including overrides and profit sharing

Full benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Strong growth opportunity into executive leadership

Work Environment

Onsite / hybrid role based near Oak Lawn, IL

Fast-paced, production-driven mortgage environment

High visibility role working directly with senior leadership