The Commercial Underwriter Team Lead manages the day-to-day workflow, quality oversight, and professional development of the underwriting team. This working lead position underwrites the most complex and strategic credit relationships, typically $15 million to $75 million or more in aggregate exposure, while simultaneously managing team capacity, service levels, and credit quality. The Team Lead coordinates with Regional Credit Executives, Commercial Lenders, and senior leadership to align underwriting resources with portfolio priorities and ensures consistent application of credit policy across all team output. This role exercises exception and elevated approval authority and is accountable for team performance metrics and development plans.
This position works directly with lending professionals such as our Commercial Lenders, Commercial Regional Executives, Regional Credit Executives and Underwriting Team. The Team Lead - Commercial Underwriter may be asked to supplement analysis and discussion at the bank's loan committee. Analysis includes, but is not limited to, the financial condition of the borrower, likelihood of achieving projections, relevant market and industry data, evaluation of repayment capacity, and complex individual tax returns. The Team Lead also interacts with a variety of external professionals and represents the bank in interactions with bank clients and other professionals, including client-facing responsibilities.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS : - Manages day-to-day underwriting workflow, capacity planning, and pipeline prioritization for the underwriting team in coordination with Commercial Lenders and Regional Credit Executives
- Conducts quality review of all team credit output prior to presentation or committee submission; ensures consistent application of credit policy and underwriting standards across all team members
- Leads weekly pipeline meetings and maintains team service level metrics; escalates pipeline or capacity risks to credit leadership proactively
- Manages team performance, including conducting regular performance conversations, developing individual growth plans, and leading or coordinating team training programs
- Contributes to credit policy review, exception tracking, and strategic credit quality initiatives as directed by senior and executive credit leadership
- Escalates emerging credit quality themes and systemic portfolio risks to Regional Credit Executives or equivalent leadership
- Leads underwriting on complex, high-dollar, and specialized credit relationships with minimal supervision; exercises elevated credit approval authority within delegated limits
- Serves as subject matter expert for specific asset classes (e.g., C&I, Investment Real Estate, construction, or specialty finance); may represent or lead the department on special projects
- Independently authors assigned industry studies including review of regional and national markets, analysis of bank portfolio performance, assessment of industry stability and key risks, and recommendations to senior and executive management regarding segment limits for board approval
JOB REQUIREMENTS: - Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or related field; Master's degree preferred
- Prior commercial credit analysis or underwriting experience with demonstrated exposure to C&I and/or Investment Real Estate transactions
- Previous management or mentorship experience preferred
- Demonstrated experience authoring credit memorandums for commercial loan requests required
- Formal credit training preferred (e.g., RMA Credit Essentials, bank-sponsored credit development program, or equivalent)
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS REQUIRED : - Advanced understanding of commercial loan structure, documentation, and covenant requirements
- Advanced proficiency in interpreting GAAP financial statements and translating them to cash flow for credit purposes, including global cash flow and guarantor analysis
- Advanced financial analysis skills
- Advanced business writing skills
- Intermediate verbal and written communication skills
- Intermediate presentation skills
- Intermediate interpersonal skills
- Intermediate customer service skills;
- Advanced relationship building skills
- Advanced problem-solving skills
- Advanced organizational skills
- Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office
- Intermediate leadership skills
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL QUALIFICATIONS : - Standing, walking, bending and stooping required
- Must be able to sit at a desk for long periods of time and use a computer
- Must be able to occasionally move or lift up to 10 pounds
- May be asked to work supplemental hours periodically
- Limited travel required occasionally during and after business hours
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of all personnel so classified.
NOT A CONTRACT