Principal Loan Specialist

About the Role

San Francisco Federal (SFF) is seeking a Principal Loan Specialist for our Oakland Branch. The Position Leads centralized commercial loan documentation and closing workflows across commercial real estate, construction, and commercial credit portfolios. Coordinates loan document preparation, complex title and collateral analysis, pre-closing compliance, and electronic credit file onboarding while ensuring strict adherence to credit approvals and lending policy. Drives documentation workflow efficiency, provides technical mentorship to documentation staff, leads documentation software modernization, and manages outside legal counsel relationships.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Coordinate the end-to-end processing and document preparation workflow for complex commercial real estate, construction, and commercial facilities.
• Perform rigorous pre-closing reviews to verify loan documents match approved credit memos, entity authorization structures, and covenant requirements.
• Review preliminary title reports, title commitments, pro-forma policies, survey endorsements, and environmental reports to identify and cure title exceptions.
• Partner with title companies, closing agents, and internal stakeholders to verify closing conditions, execute disbursements, and finalize loan execution.
• Maintain accurate records for withdrawn or declined commercial loan applications in accordance with regulatory recordkeeping standards.
• Manage the post-closing electronic file audit and document review process to ensure complete, fully executed loan packages.
• Direct the indexing, electronic storage, and lifecycle recording of credit, loan, and collateral documents within the bank's document repository.
• Verify the perfection of bank security interests, including recorded deeds of trust, UCC filings, title policies, and pledge agreements.
• Monitor post-closing exception ticklers, tracking trailing items such as recorded documents, final title policies, and insurance certificates to resolution.
• Coordinate pipeline distribution across commercial lending teams to maintain balanced workloads and meet closing turnaround timelines.
• Serve as the primary liaison to outside legal counsel for attorney-prepared loan documents, coordinating review cycles and standardizing closing documentation.
• Lead the research, evaluation, and implementation of automated commercial loan documentation software and digital closing strategies.
• Act as the primary escalation point for resolving complex transaction structures, documentation ambiguities, and workflow bottlenecks.
• Mentor, guide, and train commercial loan documentation specialists and processors to elevate technical expertise, file organization, and document accuracy.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with commercial relationship managers, credit officers, title underwriters, and outside attorneys.
• Coordinate file preparation, documentation testing, and reporting for internal credit audits, independent loan reviews, and regulatory examinations.
• Develop standard operating procedures, documentation checklists, and quality control frameworks for the commercial documentation team.
• Perform other credit administration and documentation duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of eight (8) years' experience in a fast-paced lending environment boarding and servicing various Commercial Loans.
• Knowledge of loan documentation software.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate professionally at all levels.
• Strong technical aptitude for learning systems and processes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to engage authentically and professionally at all levels.
• Self-motivated; able to work efficiently without sustained direct supervision.
• Proven ability to manage time effectively and prioritize competing workload elements.
• Proficiency in MS Office: Word, Excel, OneNote and Outlook.
• Ability to provide prompt and professional service.
• Must have strong organizational skills and ability to process and follow specific instructions and directives.
• Must possess excellent decision-making skills, be proactive, and have the ability to work in an environment of flexible and changing work policies/procedures.

Physical Requirements And Work Environment

• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, walk, twist and turn.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to use a computer keyboard, calculator, and mouse.
• The work environment is indoors; majority of the time is spent sitting at a desk.

Benefits

• Health insurance plans.
• Generous PTO.
• 401(k) Plan.
• Profit sharing.
• Competitive base salary.
• Bi-annual bonuses.
• Tuition reimbursement.