Commercial Lending Operations Manager

Billion-dollar credit union serving nearly 80,000 members throughout California's Central Valley. For over 75 years we have provided superior service, annually returning millions to members through better rates, lower fees, and fair credit. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, we empower members and the community to achieve financial dreams.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Lending Officer, the Commercial Lending Operations Manager owns the full back-office commercial lending function—from underwriting through post-closing service and loan servicing. Underwriting is currently outsourced, with a strategic plan to transition in-house; this role will lead that effort while managing all day-to-day operations. The position oversees end-to-end processing of commercial loan transactions, including conventional business loans and government-insured programs such as SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans. The manager serves as the primary quality control point between loan approval and closing, ensuring all documentation aligns with the credit memo or presentation approved by the Business Loan Committee.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full commercial loan processing cycle from post-approval through closing and funding, ensuring timely and accurate execution.
• Review and validate all loan documentation against the approved credit memo or presentation to confirm consistency with terms, conditions, collateral requirements, covenants, and approvals.
• Coordinate with loan originators, underwriters, attorneys, title companies, and borrowers to resolve documentation deficiencies and clear closing conditions.
• Monitor loan pipeline reports, provide regular status updates to lending management, and identify bottlenecks to optimize throughput.
• Maintain and enforce quality control standards for all loan files, ensuring completeness and accuracy prior to booking and disbursement.
• Oversee UCC filings, lien searches, title reviews, appraisal orders, hazard insurance verification, and other third-party requirements.
• Apply working knowledge of conventional commercial loan underwriting standards and SBA Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for 7(a) and 504 loan programs.
• Assist in structuring loan packages for government-guaranteed programs to ensure compliance with SBA eligibility and documentation standards.
• Collaborate with underwriters and loan originators to resolve credit-related questions and conditions during processing and closing.
• Review financial statements, tax returns, credit packages, and collateral documentation to verify alignment with underwriting conclusions.
• Review legal loan documents—including promissory notes, loan agreements, security agreements, deeds of trust, guarantees, and SBA authorization documents—for accuracy and consistency with approved credit terms.
• Identify and escalate discrepancies between legal documents and the approved credit presentation before execution and disbursement.
• Work closely with legal counsel and closing attorneys to ensure all loan documentation meets regulatory, legal, and institutional requirements.
• Maintain familiarity with UCC, real estate lien instruments, and entity documentation standards for borrowers and guarantors.
• Directly supervise a team of Commercial Loan Processors; assign workloads, set priorities, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Train, mentor, and develop team members on loan processing procedures, documentation standards, SBA requirements, and compliance protocols.
• Conduct performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching to support professional growth and consistent quality of output.
• Foster a culture of accountability, precision, and continuous improvement within the processing team.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex processing issues, documentation exceptions, and urgent closing timelines.
• Ensure all loan processing activities comply with applicable federal and state banking regulations, Bank Secrecy Act/AML requirements, and internal credit policies.
• Maintain audit-ready loan files and support internal and external examination processes.
• Identify and report process gaps or recurring compliance issues to senior management; recommend corrective actions.
• Contact or meet with members directly to support post-closing and post-funding needs, including collecting outstanding documentation or addressing servicing-related follow-up items.
• Register with the National Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS).
• Perform other duties as assigned by Lending leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 5–7 years of commercial loan processing and/or underwriting experience, with a strong preference for candidates who have handled both conventional and SBA-guaranteed loan programs.
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of achieving results, goals, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• In-depth understanding of commercial loan underwriting standards, credit analysis, and loan structuring for both conventional and government-guaranteed programs.
• Working knowledge of SBA Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) governing 7(a) and 504 loan programs, including eligibility, documentation, and guarantee requirements.
• Ability to read, interpret, and critically review legal loan documents for consistency with approved credit terms.
• Solid understanding of UCC filings, collateral perfection, title insurance, real property lien instruments, and entity documentation requirements.
• Proficiency in financial statement analysis, cash flow analysis, and credit package review.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state banking regulations and lending compliance requirements.

Skills

• Exceptional attention to detail—ability to identify discrepancies across complex, multi-document loan packages with precision and consistency.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple loan files and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Leadership and team development capabilities, including the ability to delegate effectively, set clear expectations, and develop staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to clearly communicate documentation requirements to borrowers, attorneys, and internal stakeholders.
• High degree of professional judgment and discretion when handling sensitive financial and legal information.
• Collaborative and solutions-oriented mindset, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement.
• Technical aptitude to understand complex programs and applications.
• Courtesy, tact, and diplomacy in personal interactions inside and outside the organization.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to troubleshoot and research capabilities of current or proposed products.

Pay

Grade 12, with a salary range of $85,000 to $105,000 per year. The anticipated pay rate for new hires is between the low-end and midpoint of the range, depending on experience. Rates are based on the geographic location of the Administrative Offices in Modesto, CA, using the greater Central Valley area for calculations.

Schedule

Full-time, exempt position. Schedule is based around normal business operating hours, Monday to Friday.

Physical Requirements

• Exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Sedentary work involving sitting most of the time.
• Close visual acuity required for preparing and analyzing data, typing, viewing a computer screen, and reading.
• Ability to climb/descend stairs in an emergency situation.
• Operate routine office equipment, including personal computers, copy machines, phones, and calculators.
• Maintain computer use for six to eight hours daily, on average.
• Work extended hours if required or requested by management.
• Regular, reliable, and timely attendance.