Mortgage Junior Loan Officer Lead

Southern Bancorp
life insurance, vision insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, 401(k), retirement plan
United States, Arkansas, Little Rock
400 Hardin Road (Show on map)
Mar 05, 2026
CURRENT EMPLOYEES: Please apply via the internal career site by logging into your ADP Account and apply under: Myself > Talent > Career Center. Who We Are: Southern Bancorp is more than a bank. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), a special certification designated for institutions that serve predominantly underserved communities, Southern Bancorp combines traditional banking and lending services with financial development tools and public policy advocacy to help families and communities grow stronger. Inspired by the principle that building net worth drives economic opportunity, our mission is to be wealth builders for everyone in the communities we serve, with a focus on low-wealth and un(der)banked populations, as well as an emphasis on Black and Brown individuals. Job Summary The Mortgage Junior Loan Officer Team Lead plays a dual role as both a production contributor and frontline leader, responsible for supporting loan origination activities while providing supervision, direction, and development to a team of Junior Loan Officers. This role ensures consistent execution of loan quality, customer experience, and operational efficiency, while reinforcing Southern Bancorp's mission-driven approach to expanding access to homeownership. The Team Lead serves as a working leader who models excellence in file structure, borrower communication, and pipeline management. They are responsible for coaching and developing Junior Loan Officers through hands-on training, real-time file guidance, and performance feedback, helping to build a strong, scalable talent pipeline within the mortgage division. In addition to managing their own production responsibilities, this role partners closely with Community Development Lenders, underwriting, and operations teams to ensure loans are properly structured, documented, and positioned for successful closing. The Team Lead also plays a key role in prioritizing pipeline flow, resolving file challenges, and driving accountability across the team. Responsibilities Supervises, coaches, and develops a team of Junior Loan Officers, providing ongoing training, guidance, and performance feedback. Assists the Community Development Lender in the collection and analysis of the consumer's financial information. Assists in assessing the customer's financial circumstances to determine loan eligibility. Reviews loan application packages for completeness and accuracy. Identifies missing documentation and ensures timely collection to maintain pipeline momentum. Maintains regular communication with borrowers from application through closing. Prepares and reviews borrower requests such as credit inquiries or address discrepancies. Leads pipeline prioritization efforts with a focus on closing readiness and efficiency. Serves as a liaison between sales and operations teams to ensure accurate file setup and smooth transitions. Utilizes knowledge and experience to help structure loans and facilitate successful closings. Drives accountability across the team for quality, timeliness, and customer experience. Executes special projects and other duties as assigned. Requirements High school diploma or equivalent required Minimum of three years of experience in relevant retail mortgage lending preferred Prior leadership, mentoring, or training experience preferred Must have or receive NMLS clearance Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and mortgage software, Encompass preferred Strong communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills Excellent organizational and time management abilities High attention to detail and problem-solving skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team Professional demeanor, proactive, adaptable, and dependable Physical Demand & Work Environment: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. What we offer our employees: A positive impact on Your Future: 401(k)/Roth plan with immediate eligibility and employer match up to 6% Discounted rate on primary home mortgage Credit and housing counseling as well as free financial education tools available to customers and employees Benefits to improve your health: Two medical plans options - low-deductible PPO plan or HDHP with Health Savings Account Dental and vision insurance Employer paid life insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage Retirement plan with generous company match and employee stock purchase option Voluntary life insurance options for employee, spouse, and children The opportunity to nurture your well-being: Paid holidays and paid time off Bonus plan Opportunity for merit raises Employee reward and recognition programs Community service opportunities Southern Bancorp is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. As a Community Development Financial Institution, Southern Bancorp desires its workforce to reflect the diversity of the customers and communities that we serve. Racial and ethnic minorities, people from working class backgrounds, women and LGBTQ people are often underrepresented in many financial service industry professions. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.