Senior Loan Officer

Inclusive Action; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

401k with match

Paid holidays

Paid vacation accrual

Job summary

Inclusive Action for the City, a non-profit CDFI in Los Angeles, seeks a Senior Loan Officer to underwrite loans, analyze credit, and manage borrower relationships within our growing lending program.

You will contribute to new loan products, process improvements, and market development while collaborating with the VP of Lending and cross-functional teams. A strong credit background and commitment to community impact are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, mathematics, public policy.
• 7+ years of experience in a similar lending role.
• Experience in small business or real estate lending as a credit underwriter or loan officer.
• CDFI or similar organization experience a plus.
• Process improvement and optimization experience.
• Strong borrower relationship management and credit analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite loans and negotiate structures balancing borrower needs with fiduciary duties (75%).
• Manage borrower relationships through underwriting, aligning timelines with expectations.
• Prepare written credit memorandums with detailed analysis and recommendations.
• Present loan packages to Loan Committee for review and approval.
• Coordinate closing, servicing, and coaching handoff for borrowers.
• Develop new lending products and programs with market leadership.
• Represent Inclusive Action at conferences and events to showcase leadership.
• Ensure data accuracy in lending platform and portfolio management.
• Engage in internal work groups and special projects.

Skills

Credit underwriting

Relationship management

Loan analysis

Process improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Portfolio management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, mathematics, public policy

Tools

Google Suite

Asana

Excel

Zoom

PowerPoint

LoanWell

DownHome Solutions

Job description

Inclusive Action for the City is a non-profit, Community Development Financial Institution whose mission is to bring people together to build strong, local economies that uplift low-income urban communities through advocacy and transformative economic development initiatives. Founded in 2008, the organization employs a multidisciplinary approach to its work, creating spaces for new ideas, compiling research, supporting local entrepreneurs and leaders, and helping other organizations implement their innovations.

Position Overview

Inclusive Action’s lending team is primarily focused on providing small business loans and is expanding into commercial lending. The Senior Loan Officer is responsible for underwriting according to approved policies, conducting thorough written credit analysis, and maintaining strong borrower relationships. They will also contribute to the expansion of referral relationships and development of loan processes to better serve our borrowers. The Senior Loan Officer role carries additional responsibilities in product development, business development, and market leadership.

The ideal candidate is a relationship-builder with strong credit fundamentals and a passion for Inclusive Action’s mission.

Primary Job Responsibilities

Loan Underwriting (75%)

• Underwrite loans to determine client borrowing needs and negotiate loan structures that appropriately balance client needs and Inclusive Action’s fiduciary responsibilities.
• Manage the borrower relationship through the underwriting process, ensuring that approval and closing timelines align with borrower expectations and needs.
• Support new borrowers through the underwriting process, providing education as needed to ensure a smooth customer experience.
• Prepare written credit memorandum with detailed analysis and recommendations for terms and credit structure, following Inclusive Action’s loan policy and guidelines.
• Provide excellent verbal presentations of comprehensive loan packages for review and approval by Inclusive Action’s Loan Committee.
• Manage multiple underwriting projects and deliverables simultaneously, including conducting site visits as needed.
• Ensure smooth hand-off of files and borrower relationships between colleagues including loan closing, loan servicing and business coaching teams.

Business Development and Market Leadership (10%)

• Partner with Business Development Officer to develop strategies that increase loan deployment and reach borrower segments where Inclusive Action’s capital is most needed.
• Cultivate new borrower and referral partner relationships.
• Attend applicable conferences and sector networking events.
• Actively contribute to loan process improvement, with the goal of improving clarity and efficiency. Identify opportunities to incorporate industry best practice and emerging approaches, and help to document and train team members.
• Collaborate with the Director of Lending to develop new lending products and programs that respond to community needs, complement existing offerings, are financially sustainable, and have metrics for success.
• Represent Inclusive Action as a speaker at conferences and sector networking events, demonstrating market leadership and professional thought leadership.

Closing and Asset Management (10%)

• Work with the borrower, other external parties, and Inclusive Action closing staff through the loan closing process.
• Assure accuracy of data in lending platform, including impact data and relevant borrower and loan contingencies.
• Support Inclusive Action’s portfolio and asset management, as needed.

General (5%)

• Participate in internal work groups as needed to support organizational initiatives.
• Undertake special projects as requested by the VP of Lending.
• Engage in professional development to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Other duties as assigned.

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, mathematics, public policy
• 7+ years of previous work-related experience in a similar role
• Demonstrated experience in small business or real estate lending as a credit underwriter or loan officer, preferably with a CDFI or similar organization.
• Experience in CDFIs, impact investing, community & economic development is a plus.
• Experience in and enthusiasm for process improvement and optimization.
• Established track record of lending, meeting production goals, and disciplined use of sales tools for tracking opportunities, sales efforts, and client requests.
• Experience with financial and credit analysis and preparation of credit memorandums for loan approvals.
• Ability to manage relationships with borrowers using a customer-centric approach, including timely responses to opportunities and client requests.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of borrower data.
• Ability to listen, build productive and positive relationships, problem solve, be flexible, and partner with diverse employees and Inclusive Action stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Asana, Excel, Zoom and PowerPoint.
• Experience with loan platforms like LoanWell, DownHome Solutions and others.
• Deep commitment to economic and racial justice, and to centering the voices and leadership of low-income communities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into accessible language.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.

Preferred

• Experience in CDFI’s, commercial lending or financial analysis
• Familiarity with small business lending, microfinance, or financial inclusion programs.
• Understanding of accounting principles; comprehend and interpret financial reports and legal documents.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and spoken).
• Knowledge of LA’s community development landscape related to small businesses, real estate, or economic development.

Compensation

Inclusive Action for the City offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The salary for this position is between 115K – 130K depending on experience. The position also offers full medical, dental, and vision benefits, a 401k retirement plan with 5% matching after one year of work, 18 paid holidays, and up to two weeks of paid vacation a year with an opportunity to accrue more after serving two years with the organization.

Hybrid Work Schedule

Currently the Inclusive Action team is working in person at the office 40% of the time and remotely 60% of the time. The physical office is located in Boyle Heights and is available for necessary in-person appointments as well as its work space. This role will require additional in-person time as needed for site visits, meetings, and community engagement activities. All applicants are expected to live in Los Angeles County.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Inclusive Action for the City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination under Federal law. For more information, please see EEO is the Law. Inclusive Action for the City hires and promotes individuals solely based on their qualifications for filling the job.