Operations Manager- Commercial Lending

Position:Commercial Lending Operations Manager
Location:Modesto, CA
Work Model:In Office
Compensation:$85,000–$105,000 base salary
Schedule:Full-time, 40 hours per week
Benefits:Health insurance, dental, vision, PTO, 401(k) with 100% match up to 5%

Overview

A credit union is hiring a Commercial Lending Operations Manager to support growth within its commercial lending division. This role owns the full back-office commercial lending function from underwriting through post-closing service and loan servicing.

Underwriting is currently outsourced, with a strategic plan to transition in-house. This role will lead that effort while managing day-to-day commercial lending operations, supervising Commercial Loan Processors, and ensuring commercial loan transactions move accurately and efficiently from post-approval through closing and funding.

The strongest candidate will bring commercial loan processing and/or underwriting experience, strong knowledge of conventional commercial loans and SBA 7(a)/504 programs, and the ability to lead a team while maintaining strong quality control, documentation, and compliance standards.

• Manage the commercial loan processing cycle from post-approval through closing and funding
• Review loan documentation against approved credit memos or credit presentations
• Confirm consistency with approved terms, conditions, collateral requirements, covenants, and committee approvals
• Coordinate with loan originators, underwriters, attorneys, title companies, and borrowers to resolve documentation issues and clear closing conditions
• Monitor loan pipeline reports and provide regular updates to lending management
• Identify bottlenecks and implement process improvements
• Maintain quality control standards for loan files before booking and disbursement
• Oversee UCC filings, lien searches, title reviews, appraisal orders, hazard insurance verification, and third-party requirements
• Apply knowledge of conventional commercial underwriting standards and SBA SOP requirements for 7(a) and 504 loans
• Assist in structuring SBA loan packages for eligibility and documentation compliance
• Review financial statements, tax returns, credit packages, and collateral documentation
• Review legal loan documents, including notes, loan agreements, security agreements, mortgages/deeds of trust, guarantees, and SBA authorizations
• Identify and elevate discrepancies before execution and disbursement
• Work with legal counsel and closing attorneys/agencies to ensure documentation meets legal, regulatory, and institutional requirements
• Supervise Commercial Loan Processors, assign workloads, set priorities, and ensure deadlines are met
• Train, mentor, and develop team members on processing procedures, documentation standards, SBA requirements, and compliance protocols
• Conduct performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching
• Serve as an escalation point for complex processing issues, documentation exceptions, and urgent closing timelines
• Maintain audit‑ready loan files and support internal and external examination processes
• Identify process gaps or recurring compliance issues and recommend corrective actions
• Support post‑closing and post‑funding needs, including outstanding documentation, loan conditions, and servicing‑related follow‑up
• Register with NMLS

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 5–7 years of commercial loan processing and/or underwriting experience
• Experience with conventional commercial loans and SBA‑guaranteed loan programs strongly preferred
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience strongly preferred
• Track record of achieving goals, results, and KPIs
• Strong understanding of commercial loan underwriting standards,…