What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Credit Officer position at CDC New England?
Location: Can be in office, remote, or hybrid- but preferably located in New England
Reports To: Director of SBA Lending
Direct Reports: 5–7 Credit & Lending Professionals
Type: Full-Time | Exempt
Position Overview:
We are seeking a seasoned and driven Chief Credit Officer to lead our credit and underwriting operations, with a focus on complex commercial real estate transactions. This individual will play a critical leadership role in overseeing the analysis, structuring, and approval of commercial loans, particularly SBA 504 loans. While prior experience with SBA 504 is preferred, deep expertise in bank credit analysis and commercial real estate underwriting is essential.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a meticulous eye for detail, able to thrive in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. This is a senior leadership role that will also supervise and mentor a team of 5–7 lending professionals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead all credit and underwriting operations for commercial real estate transactions, with a focus on SBA 504 and related loan programs.
- Oversee credit policy development, risk assessment, loan structuring, and underwriting processes.
- Serve as an SBA SOP expert to staff, bankers, and others.
- Analyze complex financial statements, real estate valuations, market conditions, and borrower strength to determine loan feasibility.
- Ensure compliance with internal credit standards and external SBA, regulatory, and financial institution requirements.
- Supervise, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of credit analysts and underwriters.
- Collaborate with senior leadership on loan strategies, risk appetite, and portfolio management.
- Strategize with senior leadership and be a visionary in key areas such as company growth, AI integration, marketing, business and staffing models, etc.
- Manage the credit approval process from initial review to final decision.
- Serve as a liaison with banks, CDCs, and other financial stakeholders.
- Utilize and train staff on software tools required for SBA submission and tracking (such as SBA One, E-Tran, Ventures, etc.), in addition to standard office software (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Assist with creating reports, analyzing data and preparing plans on how to improve internal processes.
- Attend SBA events, both local and national, and provide feedback to the group.
- Participate in NADCO events, including but not limited to, being an expert on panel discussions.
- Work closely with our portfolio management group to ensure compliance and assist with the SBA Annual Report.
- Prioritize and multitask across concurrent deals and credit decisions in a dynamic environment.
Qualifications:
- 5–10 years of professional experience in commercial real estate underwriting, with a strong track record of credit analysis within a banking environment.
- Proven leadership experience in managing and mentoring teams.
- Familiarity with SBA 504 loan structuring preferred, though not required.
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field; advanced degrees or certifications (e.g., MBA, CCIM, CFA) are a plus.
- Strong financial modeling and underwriting skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail and analytical capabilities.
- Self-starter with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
- High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with or willingness to learn specialized SBA-related platforms (e.g., SBA One, E-Tran, etc.).
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- High level of enthusiasm towards the job, your coworkers, and outside partners.
- Growth mindset- excited to bring ideas and implement plans to take the company to the next level.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- Performance-based bonuses.
- Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, 401(k), etc.).
- Opportunities for continued professional development.
To Apply:
Please submit your resume and a tailored cover letter detailing your experience and interest in the role to David Raccio, SVP, Director of SBA Lending, at DRaccio@BDCNewEngland.com