Director, Specialty Lending Underwriting

Role Overview

As Director, Specialty Lending Underwriting, you will serve as the senior underwriting leader across all Specialty Lending products, including Custom Credit, Securities-Based Lending (SBL), and Partner Lending. You will hold underwriting authority for highly complex credit transactions, provide strategic leadership on credit risk management, and partner closely with product, risk, legal, and business leaders to deliver bespoke lending solutions for high-net-worth clients.

This role is responsible for maintaining a disciplined credit culture while enabling responsible business growth and innovation.

• Serve as the senior credit authority for Specialty Lending transactions, including highly structured and bespoke lending opportunities.
• Review and approve credit requests within delegated authority; prepare and present transactions requiring higher-level approvals.
• Provide expert guidance on complex credit structures, collateral arrangements, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Partner with business and product leaders to develop competitive lending solutions that align with client needs and Citizens' risk appetite.
• Ensure consistent application of underwriting standards, credit policy, and regulatory requirements across all Specialty Lending products.
• Establish underwriting best practices and drive credit quality across the portfolio.

• Monitor portfolio performance, emerging risks, and concentrations across Specialty Lending products.
• Lead the assessment of complex borrower situations, collateral structures, and exception requests.
• Develop recommendations for risk appetite, underwriting guidelines, and portfolio management strategies.
• Partner with Enterprise Risk, Legal, Compliance, and Audit teams to ensure effective risk governance and regulatory compliance.
• Identify evolving market trends and recommend enhancements to underwriting frameworks and risk management practices.

• Lead the development, enhancement, and implementation of Specialty Lending underwriting policies and procedures.
• Ensure strong credit controls and consistent underwriting discipline across all lending products.
• Oversee periodic reviews of underwriting standards and approval frameworks to support evolving business strategies and regulatory expectations.
• Support internal and external examinations, audits, and regulatory reviews.

• Partner with Private Bank and Wealth Management teams to deliver sophisticated lending solutions for high-net-worth clients.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on complex credit opportunities, balancing exceptional client experience with sound risk management.
• Support strategic client engagements requiring senior-level credit expertise and decision-making.

• Lead and develop a team of underwriting professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and sound credit judgment.
• Coach and mentor underwriters to strengthen technical expertise, risk assessment capabilities, and decision-making skills.
• Establish talent development, succession planning, and career progression strategies across the underwriting organization.
• Drive performance management and resource planning to support continued growth and increasing transaction complexity.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in private banking, commercial banking, wealth lending, or specialty lending underwriting.
• Significant expertise underwriting complex credit transactions for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients.
• Knowledge of Partner Lending, Securities-Based Lending, and custom credit lending structures.
• Demonstrated underwriting authority and experience presenting complex credits to senior approval committees.
• Strong understanding of credit policy, risk management, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven leadership experience developing high-performing underwriting teams.
• Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.

The salary range for this position is $250,000 - $275,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the work location, and relevant skills and experience.

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit

Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.

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