Residential Construction Sr. Specialist-1

SouthState Bank; Winter Haven (FL); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

SouthState Bank is seeking a Senior Specialist to oversee residential construction loans from pre-closing through project completion. You will ensure compliance with bank policy, coordinate among borrowers, builders, and internal teams, and mitigate risk through thorough reviews and informed decision-making.

The role includes advising on budgets, deposits, and lien issues, while mentoring junior specialists and funding staff to maintain smooth operations and strong customer relationships.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of residential mortgage lending and residential construction.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive review of construction contracts to ensure alignment with policy and procedures.
• Identify and resolve contract inconsistencies and communicate risk implications to Borrower/Builder.
• Provide onboarding guidance to MLOs and funding specialists for inspection/draw processes.
• Review third party inspection reports and decision draw-related issues.
• Actively monitor the active construction loan portfolio for progress and risk.
• Serve as primary point of contact for loans with disputes, liens, or legal issues.

Skills

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The SouthState story is one of steady growth, deep community roots, and an unwavering commitment to helping our customers move forward. Since our beginnings in the 1930s to becoming a trusted financial partner across the South and beyond - we are known for combining personal relationships with forward-thinking solutions.

We are committed to helping our team members find their success while maintaining the integrity of our values: building trust, fostering lasting relationships and pursuing excellence. At SouthState, individual contributions are recognized, potential is cultivated and team members are inspired to achieve their greater purpose. Your future begins here!

Summary

The Residential Construction Senior Specialist is responsible for advanced-level administration, review, and oversight of residential construction loans from pre-closing through project completion. This role ensures alignment with SouthState Bank policies, facilitates effective communication among borrowers, builders, and internal teams, and mitigates risk through thorough review, monitoring, and decision-making. The Senior Specialist serves as a subject matter expert and key control point within the construction loan lifecycle, providing both advisory support and operational oversight to promote a smooth and compliant construction process. The Senior Specialist has the authority to approve the builder and the contract as well as approve the final budget to be used in construction, the advance of deposits and deposit recoupment methods, and to make minor exceptions to procedures as warranted. The Senior Specialist will also assist with consumer loans with legal/lien issues and offer direction and guidance on insurance loss claims. The Senior Specialist will also provide coaching and mentorship to junior specialists, funding specialists, and mortgage personnel as well as provide guidance and support to junior specialists to resolve complex situations.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive review of construction contracts to ensure alignment with SouthState Bank policy and Construction Loan Administration procedures.
• Identify and resolve contract inconsistencies, identifying and communicating risk implications with Borrower/Builder
• Provide a cursory review of the Builder
• Discuss the construction process with both Builder and Borrower at loan application to include a review of the construction disclosures.
• Validate and finalize the appropriate budget to be used in the inspection/draw process
• Determine the builder deposit and recoupment method
• Send the department welcome letter to the customer and builder.
• Provide onboarding guidance to MLO's and provide CLA funding specialists with approved items for the inspection/draw process. Items include: finalized budget, checklist, introduction communication, and special items of note specific to the loan.
• Review third party inspection reports when discrepancies arise and to decision draw related issues.
• Actively monitor the active construction loan portfolio to ensure construction progress is maintained and to proactively identify negative trends or risk to individual loans and the portfolio as a whole.
• Ensure communication between all parties.
• Provide direction on loans in dispute or with lien filings/legal disputes as well as serve as a primary point of contact for those loans with legal issues in collaboration with Special Assets and Legal.
• It is the responsibility of this role to take ownership of all tasks and challenges that they encounter in the operation of their assigned position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree

Minimum Experience

• 10 years' experience in residential mortgage lending, residential construction, or both.

Licenses & Certifications

• State Builder or General Contractor License

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of residential mortgage lending and residential construction.
• Verbal communication and interpersonal skills are critically important to coordinating the interrelated needs of the builder, the customer/borrower/homeowner, and various bank individuals / departments within the bank.

Physical Demands

• Ability to communicate in person, on the phone, and through electronic channels
• Ability to use a computer on a frequent basis, including typing and sustained attention to a monitor
• Ability to sit, walk, and/or stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to bend and reach

Work Environment

• Office: If the position reports to a physical Company location, the setting will be a typical office environment.
• Remote or hybrid: For remote or hybrid positions, a secure and distraction-free setting is required, with a reliable internet connection (cable or fiber preferred, mobile hotspots not acceptable). Hybrid positions will report to a physical Company location, as directed by the manager, and that setting will be a typical office environment.

In accordance with Colorado and Virginia law: Pay for this position is anticipated to be between $76,260.00 - $121,819.00 , actual offers to be determined based on applicant's skills, experience and education.

While the anticipated deadline for the job posting is 10-18-2026, we encourage you to submit your application as we may still consider qualified candidates beyond this date.

Benefits | SouthState Careers

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled/veterans.