Senior Lead Credit Risk & Approval Officer | Independent Risk Management

About the Team

The Independent Risk Management Team - Credit Risk provides independent oversight and approval of commercial credit exposure across Wells Fargo. This role supports the Asset Based Lending (ABL) portfolio within Commercial Banking and is responsible for ensuring prudent risk management, sound underwriting, and effective portfolio oversight. The team partners closely with the Line of Business to deliver balanced credit decisions while supporting clients throughout the credit lifecycle.

The portfolio consists of complex middle market and large corporate borrowers utilizing asset-based financing structures across a variety of industries.

About This Role

Wells Fargo is seeking a seasoned credit risk professional to provide strategic oversight and guidance for highly complex lending portfolios and transactions. This role serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, helping drive sound credit decisions, manage portfolio risk, and resolve complex lending challenges. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in asset-based lending, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to influence stakeholders across a large, matrixed organization.

In This Role, You Will

* Exercise independent credit judgment and approval authority for asset based lending transactions within established risk appetite and delegated authority limits.

* Provide strategic oversight, support, and guidance in monitoring highly complex loan portfolios and addressing sophisticated business and technical challenges.

* Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies for complex credit situations requiring advanced analytical skills, sound judgment, and creative problem-solving.

* Lead the approval discussions and resolution of complex asset based lending transactions, including challenged credit situations.

* Establish and maintain credit risk parameters and controls based on exposure levels, collateral values, borrowing base availability, advance rates, concentrations, and portfolio characteristics.

* Partner with senior leaders to design and implement large-scale, cross-functional, and enterprise-wide risk management strategies.

* Collaborate across business lines and Corporate Risk to drive consistency, transparency, and effective risk-based decision-making.

* Serve as a trusted advisor by providing strategic recommendations, credit expertise, and resolution strategies for complex borrower situations.

* Foster strong partnerships with internal stakeholders, customers, and external advisors to support sound risk management and business objectives.

* Mentor and influence credit professionals while reinforcing a strong and consistent risk culture across the organization.

Required Qualifications

* 7+ years of Credit Risk & Approval experience, commercial underwriting experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education.

Desired Qualifications

* 7+ years of experience underwriting and/or making credit decisions on complex commercial lending transactions, including asset-based lending facilities and borrowing-base collateral structures.

* Extensive knowledge of borrowing base methodologies, collateral monitoring, field examinations, appraisals, and liquidity analysis.

* Experience approving and managing exposure secured by accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, and other collateral-based lending structures.

* Experience managing challenged credits, including restructurings, workouts, bankruptcy-related situations, and distressed borrower scenarios.

* Strong knowledge of asset-based lending and non-loan credit products, including derivatives, swaps, letters of credit, and treasury management products.

* Knowledge of syndicated lending structures, intercreditor arrangements, and multi-bank credit facilities.

* Prior Credit Officer experience and delegated approval authority strongly preferred.

* Proven ability to drive process improvements, manage competing priorities, and deliver strong business and risk outcomes.

* Demonstrated success influencing stakeholders and making sound independent credit decisions within a large, matrixed…