Principal Loan Specialist

San Francisco Federal Credit Union; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Profit sharing

Bonuses

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

San Francisco Federal Credit Union in Oakland is seeking a Principal Loan Specialist at the Oakland Branch. You will lead centralized commercial loan documentation and closing workflows across CRE, construction, and commercial credit portfolios.

The role coordinates document preparation, title and collateral analysis, pre-closing compliance, and onboarding of electronic credit files, while providing mentorship to staff and driving workflow improvements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least 8 years in a fast-paced lending environment.
• Knowledge of loan documentation software.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate end-to-end processing and document preparation for CRE, construction, and commercial facilities.
• Perform pre-closing reviews to verify documents match approved memos and covenants.
• Review title reports, title commitments, and environmental reports to identify title issues.
• Lead external and internal coordination for closing conditions, disbursements, and loan execution.

Skills

Commercial loans

Loan documentation

Documentation software

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Loan documentation software

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Oakland - Oakland, CA 94611

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $50.00 - $60.00 Hourly

Job Category: Real Estate

Who Are We?

With an A health rating and solid year-over-year growth, San Francisco Federal's (SFF) membership is now over 43,000 with assets surpassing $1.3 billion and branches located in San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties. Continuing along it highly successful growth trajectory, San Francisci Federal is seeking a Principal Loan Specialist for our Oakland Branch.

The Position

Leads centralized commercial loan documentation and closing workflows across commercial real estate, construction, and commercial credit portfolios. Coordinates loan document preparation, complex title and collateral analysis, pre-closing compliance, and electronic credit file onboarding while ensuring strict adherence to credit approvals and lending policy. Drives documentation workflow efficiency, provides technical mentorship to documentation staff, leads documentation software modernization, and manages outside legal counsel relationships.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

1. Commercial Loan Documentation, Processing, and Closing
   • Coordinate the end-to-end processing and document preparation workflow for complex commercial real estate, construction, and commercial facilities.
   • Perform rigorous pre-closing reviews to verify loan documents match approved credit memos, entity authorization structures, and covenant requirements.
   • Review preliminary title reports, title commitments, pro-forma policies, survey endorsements, and environmental reports to identify and cure title exceptions.
   • Partner with title companies, closing agents, and internal stakeholders to verify closing conditions, execute disbursements, and finalize loan execution.
   • Maintain accurate records for withdrawn or declined commercial loan applications in accordance with regulatory recordkeeping standards.
2. Electronic File Management and Post-Closing Administration
   • Manage the post-closing electronic file audit and document review process to ensure complete, fully executed loan packages.
   • Direct the indexing, electronic storage, and lifecycle recording of credit, loan, and collateral documents within the bank's document repository.
   • Verify the perfection of bank security interests, including recorded deeds of trust, UCC filings, title policies, and pledge agreements.
   • Monitor post-closing exception ticklers, tracking trailing items such as recorded documents, final title policies, and insurance certificates to resolution.
3. Workflow, Legal Liaison, and Technology Integration
   • Coordinate pipeline distribution across commercial lending teams to maintain balanced workloads and meet closing turnaround timelines.
   • Serve as the primary liaison to outside legal counsel for attorney-prepared loan documents, coordinating review cycles and standardizing closing documentation.
   • Lead the research, evaluation, and implementation of automated commercial loan documentation software and digital closing strategies.
   • Act as the primary escalation point for resolving complex transaction structures, documentation ambiguities, and workflow bottlenecks.
4. Mentorship, Relationship Management, and Compliance
   • Mentor, guide, and train commercial loan documentation specialists and processors to elevate technical expertise, file organization, and document accuracy.
   • Maintain collaborative relationships with commercial relationship managers, credit officers, title underwriters, and outside attorneys.
   • Coordinate file preparation, documentation testing, and reporting for internal credit audits, independent loan reviews, and regulatory examinations.
   • Develop standard operating procedures, documentation checklists, and quality control frameworks for the commercial documentation team.
   • Perform other credit administration and documentation duties as assigned.

Who Are You?

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of eight (8) years' experience in a fast-paced lending environment boarding and servicing various Commercial Loans.
• Knowledge of loan documentation software.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate professionally at all levels.
• Strong technical aptitude for learning systems and processes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to engage authentically and professionally at all levels.
• Self-motivated; able to work efficiently without sustained direct supervision.
• Proven ability to manage time effectively and prioritize competing workload elements.
• Proficiency in MS Office: Word, Excel, OneNote and Outlook.
• Ability to provide prompt and professional service.
• Must have strong organizational skills and ability to process and follow specific instructions and directives.
• Must possess excellent decision-making skills, be proactive, and have the ability to work in an environment of flexible and changing work policies/procedures

Physical Requirements, Reasonable Accommodation and Work Environment

• All reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure a safe and functioning working environment for those individuals who will require such accommodations.
• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, walk, twist and turn
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds
• Ability to use a computer keyboard, calculator, and mouse
• The work environment is indoors; majority of the time is spent sitting at a desk

Why You'll Love It Here

You’ll work alongside a passionate team in a mission-driven organization, get exposure to executive decision-making, and grow your skills across a broad range of functions. No two days will be the same—and that’s exactly how you like it.

The compensation package includes an excellent benefits program including health insurance plans, generous PTO, 401(k) Plan, profit sharing, competitive base salary, bi-annual bonuses, as well as tuition reimbursement.

SFF is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

In accordance with federal and state laws, SFF does not discriminate in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related condition, ancestry, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history cancer or genetic characteristics), veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or gender expression, HIV/AIDS status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.