Program Officer, Lending & Underwriting - Community Dev

Opportunity Finance Network; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage

Disability Insurance

Retirement Savings (401(k) / 403(b)

Generous Holidays

Vacation, PTO, and Sick Days

Tuition Assistance

Referral Program

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in Chicago, IL, seeks a Program Officer, Lending & Underwriting to lead origination, underwriting and deployment of community development financing in Illinois. You will source, structure, underwrite and close loans, coordinating with national teams to ensure compliant, timely closings.

The role emphasizes CRE lending, credit analysis and transaction structuring, with a strong focus on relationships with borrowers and partners to advance neighborhood

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree in finance, real estate, urban planning, public administration, business or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in commercial real estate lending or community development finance.
• Experience structuring and underwriting complex real estate and community development transactions.
• Strong financial analysis including evaluating statements, budgets, cash flows and pro formas.
• Knowledge of CD financing tools including public subsidies and tax credit programs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite Illinois-based loan transactions and structure financing solutions for projects and organizations.
• Support business development, borrower education, and relationship management to maintain a healthy pipeline.
• Conduct due diligence, financial analysis, and risk assessments of loan opportunities.
• Prepare credit memoranda and underwriting recommendations for internal review and approval.
• Lead loan closings with national lending and legal teams; coordinate documents and terms.

Skills

Credit analysis

Underwriting

Relationship-building

Project management

Communication skills

Excel skills

Customer service orientation

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in Chicago, IL, seeks a Program Officer, Lending & Underwriting to lead origination, underwriting and deployment of community development financing in Illinois. You will source, structure, underwrite and close loans, coordinating with national teams to ensure compliant, timely closings.

The role emphasizes CRE lending, credit analysis and transaction structuring, with a strong focus on relationships with borrowers and partners to advance neighborhood