Manager, Commercial Credit Officer

Job Description

Self-Help started in 1980 with a focus on economic inequality especially in communities that have faced systemic barriers in building wealth. At the core of what Self-Help does is a drive to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity.

The Manager, Commercial Credit Officer provides support to Self-Help’s national Commercial Lending Team to originate commercial loans in the sectors and geographies in which the team lends. The role collaborates with due diligence teams, advising on underwriting, transaction structuring, and complex credit and financial analysis to ensure that recommendations align with Self-Help’s policy and mission. In addition, the Manager oversees training of less-experienced Credit Officers and Loan Officers, originates and closes commercial loans, monitors construction disbursements, and supports portfolio borrowers.

The Manager directly supervises several Credit Officers.

• Provide underwriting advice and work with loan officers to analyze and structure loans that advance Self-Help’s mission while adhering to credit standards.
• Critically review loan officers’ credit memoranda and perform detailed financial analysis, assessing repayment viability, loan structures, industry background, management capacity, and collateral.
• Ensure proposed loans comply with Self-Help’s regulations, policies, and procedures and align with credit prudence practices.
• Approve credit applications, transactions, exceptions, and other extensions of credit within authority, or prepare loan officers for presentation to the credit committee as required.
• Serve as a voter on the credit committee.
• Manage, advise, and participate in loan closings; guide key processes, ensure documentation collection, and enforce closing conditions.
• Review critical reports and structuring remedies such as property condition assessments, appraisals, and contracts.
• Review and approve monthly construction disbursements when applicable.
• Collaborate with portfolio management teams on risk assessment of troubled loans, including modifications.
• Directly supervise and manage Credit Officers, providing leadership, coaching, and feedback.
• Set individual goals, track team progress, and promote professional growth through development activities.
• Create and maintain a collaborative, healthy, and productive work environment based on mutual respect and trust.
• Handle hiring, coaching, assessment of staff performance, and provide direct and frequent feedback.
• Lead strategic projects and contribute to strategy development for various sectors in conjunction with business development officers.
• Stay informed about industry trends, market conditions, and regulatory changes that affect commercial credit.
• Perform other related duties as may be deemed necessary.

• Minimum:
  Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Preferred:
  Graduate degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, City Planning, Public Policy, Law, or related field.
• Seven years of related experience in commercial lending, finance, or community development, or equivalent experience.
• Experience managing staff or teams.
• Strong commitment to Self-Help’s mission of creating economic opportunity for all.
• Preference for individuals who value teamwork and collaboration.
• Strong analytical skills, including quantitative credit analysis, financial ratio analysis, repayment assessment, loan structuring, management evaluation, and collateral risk evaluation.
• Ability to learn quickly, analyze new industries, and develop industry knowledge.
• Clear and concise writing and editing of credit memos, translating financial data into narrative form.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to focus on key credit drivers within the larger context.
• Strong interpersonal and project management skills, with experience training, coaching, and developing commercial lending staff.
• Effective teamwork and partnership skills across Self-Help teams.
• Excellent communication skills for interacting with borrowers, applicants, and team members.
• Organizational skills to manage competing priorities.
• Proficient with MS Word and Excel.
• Willingness to travel and work overtime as needed.

Competi…