SENIOR LOAN PROCESSOR & UNDERWRITER

Alliance Portfolio.; Aliso Viejo (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliance Portfolio in California seeks a seasoned private-lending professional to independently underwrite, process, and close larger, more complex transactions. You will own each file from accepted deal to funding, applying disciplined credit judgment while protecting investor capital.

The role targets $2.5M–$5M loans with ~60–80 closings annually, requiring leadership in diligence, structuring, and closing. Timely responses, sharp analysis, and strong communication are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of progressively responsible experience in private money, hard money, bridge, commercial, or business-purpose mortgage lending.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, real estate, accounting, business, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Underwriting & credit judgment — analyze borrower/sponsor/guarantor strength, ownership structure, liquidity, source and use of proceeds, repayment ability, and exit strategy; evaluate collateral, LTV/LTC, lien priority, and cash flow/DSCR where applicable; review appraisals critically and prepare concise credit analyses with clear rationale.
• Borrower diligence & deal structuring — lead borrower/guarantor interviews; recognize complex issues; help structure amount, pricing, term, reserves, covenants, and protections.
• Documentation & closing — issue commitments, applications, disclosures, and borrower checklists; coordinate appraisal, title, escrow, insurance, and legal review; ensure funding conditions are satisfied before funds release.
• Pipeline leadership & relationships — lead daily origination meetings; maintain pipeline records; build trust with brokers, borrowers, and investors; mentor newer processors and refine underwriting/templates.
• Compliance — confirm business-purpose vs. consumer-purpose classification; adhere to federal and California lending requirements; elevate compliance concerns.

Skills

Underwriting & credit analysis

Loan structuring

Portfolio management

CRM/pipeline management

Documentation & closing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Real Estate/Accounting or related field

Tools

Mortgage software

CRM systems

PDF tools

Excel

Job description

Alliance Portfolio is scaling its average loan size from roughly $1.2M–$1.5M to $2.5M–$5M and needs a seasoned private-lending professional who can independently underwrite, process, and close larger, more complex transactions — sophisticated borrowers, ownership structures, and premium California real estate. This is not an entry-level or administrative role: the successful candidate will own each transaction from accepted request through funding, applying disciplined credit judgment and decisive problem-solving while protecting investor capital and preserving the speed and responsiveness that distinguish private lending.

Position Snapshot & Performance Expectations

Annual Production

$150M in closed origination volume (~$35M per quarter).

Loan Size & Volume

$1.5M–$5M target loan size; ~60–80 closings annually depending on transaction mix.

Initial Response

Preliminary commitment/term sheet within 1 business hour of complete deal information and internal approval.

File Launch

Borrower package, timeline, and interview scheduled; appraisal, prelim title, escrow, and insurance ordered within 1 business day of accepted commitment.

Closing Speed

Close within ~10 business days of signed commitment, subject to borrower cooperation and timely due diligence.

Risk & Accuracy

Escalate material credit, collateral, title, or compliance issues immediately; maintain complete files with no preventable closing errors.

Pipeline & Relationships

Daily, concise pipeline updates; Alliance relationship discipline with priority brokers; all activity documented in a CRM; prompt post-closing/cancellation appreciation outreach.

Key Responsibilities

• Underwriting & credit judgment — analyze borrower/sponsor/guarantor strength, ownership structure, liquidity, source and use of proceeds, repayment ability, and exit strategy; evaluate collateral, LTV/LTC, lien priority, and cash flow/DSCR where applicable; review appraisals critically rather than at face value; prepare concise credit analyses and recommend approve, revise, or decline with clear rationale.
• Borrower diligence & deal structuring — lead borrower/guarantor interviews covering character, experience, use of proceeds, and business-purpose confirmation; recognize complex issues (trusts, multiple guarantors, subordinate financing, cross-collateralization); help structure amount, pricing, term, reserves, covenants, and protections appropriate to the risk.
• Documentation & closing — issue commitments, applications, disclosures, and borrower checklists; order and coordinate appraisal, title, escrow, insurance, and legal review; review preliminary title for vesting, lien priority, and exceptions; confirm every funding condition is satisfied or documented before funds release.
• Pipeline leadership & relationships — lead daily origination meetings with clear, accurate status on every file; maintain complete pipeline and relationship records in ACT; build trust with brokers, borrowers, and investors through proactive communication; serve as a senior resource, mentor newer processors, and help refine underwriting templates and closing procedures.
• Compliance — confirm business-purpose vs. consumer-purpose classification on every file; ensure adherence to applicable federal and California lending requirements; elevate compliance concerns immediately.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of progressively responsible experience in private money, hard money, bridge, commercial, or business-purpose mortgage lending, with substantial hands‑on underwriting and closing responsibility on loans of $2.5M or greater.
• Strong command of borrower/guarantor and collateral analysis, cash-flow and liquidity review, sources and uses, exit analysis, and credit presentation.
• Deep knowledge of loan, credit, and entity documents; title and escrow requirements; insurance; appraisals; promissory notes, deeds of trust, assignments, guaranties; and closing procedures.
• Working knowledge of income-property analysis (NOI, DSCR, cap rates, rent rolls) and sophisticated ownership structures (LLCs, LPs, trusts, syndications).
• Working knowledge of federal and California requirements for business-purpose lending, with the ability to identify and elevate consumer‑purpose or compliance concerns.
• Exceptional organization, written and verbal communication, and judgment — this role has no margin for casual errors or incomplete follow-through.
• Proficiency with mortgage‑industry software, CRM/pipeline systems, PDF tools, Word, and Excel.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, real estate, accounting, business, or a related field preferred, or equivalent depth of practical lending experience.
• Preferred: committee presentation experience; established California title/escrow/appraisal/insurance/legal relationships; bridge, value‑add, or construction lending experience; experience mentoring team members or improving underwriting systems.

The Person Who Will Thrive Here

• Sound judgment — analytical without paralysis, decisive without carelessness, willing to challenge assumptions respectfully.
• Ownership — treats every file, deadline, and communication as their responsibility until the transaction is complete.
• Grace under pressure — calm, clear, and constructive when transactions become complicated or time-sensitive.
• Trustworthy — protects confidential information, investor capital, and the company's reputation with integrity.
• Professional confidence — communicates credibly with experienced borrowers, brokers, investors, and executives.
• Positive contribution — hardworking, self‑motivated, systematic, cooperative, persistent, with a sense of humor and perspective.