Manager, Equipment Finance Documentation and Legal Specialist

Job Function / Summary

This role is responsible for overseeing the development, maintenance, and negotiation of loan and lease documentation for a $2 billion portfolio of serialized commercial asset-backed transactions serving middle-market borrowers (revenues of $50M–$2B).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Draft, update, and revise the Equipment Finance group’s standard set of loan and lease agreements, ensuring compliance with bank policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Incorporate feedback from internal stakeholders (e.g., Credit Officers, Relationship Managers) and external counsel to refine templates for clarity, flexibility, and risk mitigation.
• Maintain a centralized repository of standardized documents to streamline deal execution.
• Provide guidance on complex documentation issues, reducing management burden on the Head of Equipment Finance and Director of Operations.
• Implement processes to improve team efficiency, such as workflows for document review, approval, and tracking.
• Negotiate changes to standard loan and lease documents with client counsel, balancing client needs with the bank’s risk and compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with deal teams (Relationship Managers, Portfolio Managers, Credit Officers) to ensure documentation aligns with approved credit structures and deal terms.
• Oversee the closing process, coordinating with internal teams and external parties to resolve documentation exceptions and ensure timely execution.
• Review loan and lease agreements for legal accuracy, enforceability, and adherence to regulatory standards (e.g., UCC, state-specific lien laws).
• Monitor compliance with loan covenants and terms during the closing process, flagging potential issues to the deal team.
• Conduct periodic audits of closed transactions to ensure documentation integrity and compliance with bank policy.
• Support the Head of Equipment Finance and Director of Operations on special projects, such as portfolio acquisitions, new product launches, or regulatory audits.
• Provide legal and operational insights during deal structuring, particularly for complex transactions involving atypical commercial assets.
• Aid in training Portfolio Managers and Relationship Managers on documentation standards and closing protocols.

Minimum Required Education, Experience & Knowledge

• Licensed attorney with a strong understanding of commercial finance law, including secured transactions and UCC regulations.
• Proven experience in equipment finance business development, including sales and underwriting, with a track record of managing complex transactions.
• Background in title and closing processes, with expertise in resolving documentation and lien-related issues.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, with experience managing or mentoring teams in high-pressure environments.
• Exceptional negotiation skills, with the ability to balance client demands with bank risk policies.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with proficiency in document management systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., Credit Officers, Relationship Managers) and external parties (e.g., client counsel).
• Knowledge of equipment finance industry trends and middle-market borrower needs (revenues of $50M–$2B) preferred.