VP, Underwriter

RockBridge Search & Recruitment; Arcadia (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

RockBridge Search & Recruitment seeks an experienced Vice President, Underwriting for an Arcadia, CA-based financial institution. You will lead underwriting for complex commercial lending, assess cash flow, collateral, and repayment capacity, and structure facilities that balance risk and opportunity.

You will mentor junior staff, collaborate with relationship managers, participate in loan committees, and shape credit strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field.
• 7+ years of commercial credit underwriting experience.
• Leadership or senior underwriting experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting for complex commercial lending relationships.
• Analyze borrower financial statements, cash flow, collateral, and repayment capacity.
• Structure credit facilities balancing risk and opportunity.
• Review, approve, and recommend loan requests within delegated authority.

Skills

Credit underwriting

Financial analysis

Portfolio management

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Lead Credit Decisions. Shape Growth. Build Confidence.

Some professionals review deals. Others help define the future of an institution through sound judgment, disciplined risk management, and strategic leadership.

We are seeking an experienced Vice President, Underwriting to join a growing financial organization in Arcadia, California. This is an opportunity for a highly analytical and relationship-oriented leader who thrives at the intersection of credit risk, portfolio management, and business development support.

As VP, Underwriting, you will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, lending teams, and credit professionals while helping drive a strong, profitable, and well-managed loan portfolio. You'll combine technical expertise with strategic thinking to ensure lending decisions align with both organizational goals and sound credit principles.

What You'll Do

Credit Leadership & Risk Management

• Lead underwriting efforts for complex commercial lending relationships.
• Analyze borrower financial statements, cash flow, collateral, and repayment capacity.
• Structure credit facilities that appropriately balance risk and opportunity.
• Review, approve, and recommend loan requests within delegated authority limits.
• Identify emerging portfolio risks and recommend proactive solutions.
• Maintain strong asset quality through disciplined credit oversight.
• Partner closely with Relationship Managers and Business Development Officers on new and existing client opportunities.
• Assist in developing lending strategies that support growth objectives while maintaining credit integrity.
• Monitor portfolio performance and identify trends impacting risk exposure.
• Participate in annual reviews, renewals, modifications, and covenant monitoring.
• Provide guidance on complex credit situations and workout strategies when necessary.

Team Development

• Mentor and develop junior underwriters and credit analysts.
• Promote consistency in underwriting standards and credit presentations.
• Assist in strengthening underwriting processes, policies, and procedures.
• Serve as a technical resource across multiple lending disciplines.

Strategic Contributions

• Support executive management with portfolio analysis and credit reporting.
• Participate in loan committee presentations and recommendations.
• Contribute to policy development and credit administration initiatives.
• Help drive operational efficiencies and underwriting best practices.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field.
• 7+ years of commercial credit underwriting experience.
• Previous leadership, management, or senior underwriting experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of commercial lending, cash flow analysis, collateral valuation, and risk assessment.
• Experience underwriting C&I, CRE, owner-occupied, and investment real estate transactions.
• Advanced financial statement analysis and credit structuring skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to influence decisions through sound analysis and thoughtful recommendations.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

The Ideal Candidate

You are equal parts analyst and strategist. You can dissect a complex borrowing relationship, identify risks hidden between the numbers, and still recognize opportunities others might overlook. You understand that great underwriting isn't about saying "yes" or "no", it's about finding the smartest path forward.

You bring credibility to every conversation, confidence to every recommendation, and a steady hand when evaluating high-value lending opportunities.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Competitive compensation package of $130,000 - $150,000
• High-visibility leadership role
• Opportunity to influence credit culture and lending strategy
• Collaborative executive and lending team
• Strong pipeline of commercial lending opportunities
• Excellent benefits package
• Long-term career advancement potential
• Stable, growth-oriented organization

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you are a seasoned underwriting professional who enjoys complex credit analysis, strategic decision-making, and helping drive responsible growth, this Vice President, Underwriting opportunity offers the platform to elevate your career while making a meaningful impact on a thriving financial institution.