Senior Underwriter

Overview

The Senior Underwriter – Middle Market is a highly experienced individual contributor responsible for end-to-end underwriting of complex small‑business and middle‑market credit transactions. This role is designed for a credit professional who can independently underwrite full credit files, structure transactions, identify and mitigate risk, and contribute meaningfully to the evolution of underwriting policy, processes, and controls.

• Independently underwrite and approve (within authority) complex middle‑market transactions, including full financial analysis, bank statement analysis, cash‑flow assessment, and repayment capacity modeling.
• Evaluate borrower and guarantor financial strength using both traditional and alternative data sources.
• Perform comprehensive risk assessments, identifying key credit, operational, and structural risks and recommending appropriate mitigants.
• Prepare clear, well‑reasoned credit memos supporting approval, decline, or counter‑offers.

• Determine appropriate borrower and guarantor structures, including:
• Identification of all relevant operating, holding, and affiliated entities.
• Determination of when personal guarantees are required, limited, or appropriately waived.
• Evaluation of when UCC filings are necessary, optional, or inadvisable based on risk profile and collateral position.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Operations to ensure contracts accurately reflect approved credit structures and risk mitigants.
• Review and provide guidance on exceptions, inter‑creditor considerations, and non‑standard deal terms.

• Contribute to the refinement of underwriting guidelines, scorecards, and risk frameworks as the portfolio and products evolve.
• Identify inefficiencies, gaps, or inconsistencies in underwriting workflows and propose pragmatic improvements.
• Assist in developing scalable underwriting standards suitable for higher‑dollar, more complex transactions.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert and escalation point for complex or non‑standard deals.
• Provide informal mentorship and guidance to junior and mid‑level underwriters.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Sales, Compliance, Legal, and Portfolio Management to support sound credit outcomes and efficient execution.

• 7–10+ years of progressive credit underwriting experience, with a strong emphasis on middle‑market or upper‑SMB lending.
• Proven experience underwriting full credit files independently (not limited to pre‑qualification or narrow scopes).
• Deep understanding of:
• Cash‑flow‑based lending and repayment capacity analysis.
• Entity structures (single‑entity, multi‑entity, holding company / operating company models).
• Guarantor analysis and personal guarantee frameworks.
• Collateral strategy, including UCC filings and secured vs. unsecured risk.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate credit rationale and risk tradeoffs.
• High degree of judgment, accountability, and comfort operating with limited oversight.

• Experience in fintech, specialty finance, non‑bank lending, or alternative credit products (e.g., term loans, lines of credit, structured facilities).
• Prior involvement in underwriting policy development or process redesign.
• Familiarity with bank‑partnered lending environments and regulatory considerations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field (CFA or similar designation a plus).

90% Employer paid Basic Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, 401K match, and a competitive base salary. Regularly paid company outings, twice‑weekly corporate yoga, and a dog friendly office! Holidays are celebrated! Birthdays are recognized! Snacks & refreshments are provided! MORE BENEFITS TO COME AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW. Grow with us!

• Backd is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Backd provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability unrelated to an individual’s ability to perform adequately, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.