Construction Lending Manager

CalPrivate Bank•San Diego, CA

2d•$140,000 - $176,000

About The Position

The Construction Lending Manager oversees underwriting, approval, and ongoing administration of construction loan relationships in support of the Bank’s commercial lending strategy. The role evaluates lending opportunities for alignment with the Bank’s credit philosophy, risk appetite, and safe and sound lending practices while providing service to clients and internal partners. As a construction lending subject matter expert, the manager works with Relationship Managers, borrowers, developers, contractors, and third-party professionals to assess project feasibility, analyze budgets and risks, and monitor progress from underwriting through completion. The role helps ensure projects remain on schedule, within budget, and compliant with approved loan terms while maintaining credit quality across the construction loan portfolio. The position monitors assigned loans for payment performance, renewals, annual reviews, criticized assets, covenant compliance, and portfolio risk trends. It collaborates with loan origination, credit administration, fund control, appraisal professionals, and executive leadership, and assists the Chief Credit Officer and senior management with reporting, portfolio analysis, and other strategic initiatives.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in commercial construction lending, commercial underwriting, commercial real estate lending, or construction portfolio management.
Comprehensive understanding of commercial credit analysis, construction financing, and portfolio management principles.
Expertise in commercial lending, credit structures, and banking operations.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Real Estate, Construction Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and directly related experience will be considered.
Accountability, integrity, and consistency; ability to work collaboratively with transparency and follow-through.
Professionalism, calm under pressure, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
Ability to use data-driven decision-making while maintaining a client-first perspective.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, use a keyboard and mouse, and walk to and from workstations.
Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Experience with construction lending at a commercial bank or financial institution is strongly preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Real Estate, Construction Management, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner with Relationship Managers, borrowers, developers, and builders to evaluate construction lending opportunities and project feasibility.
Assess proposed financing against the Bank’s lending strategy, credit standards, and risk tolerance.
Evaluate project scope, borrower experience, project viability, repayment sources, and project risk across ground-up construction, tenant improvements, renovations, rehabilitation, land development, mixed-use, and other commercial construction.
Prepare comprehensive credit analyses and Credit Approval Memorandums for loan approval.
Review and approve construction budgets and cost breakdowns, maintaining budget integrity through project completion.
Reconcile final construction budgets with executed General Contractor contracts before loan documentation and fund control setup.
Review soft costs, hard costs, financing costs, and contingency reserves; order and review independent construction cost analyses when appropriate; resolve budget variances and recommend modifications.
Review project plans, specifications, soil and geotechnical, engineering, environmental, title, survey, and appraisal materials; determine required permits and approvals and verify documentation is complete before closing.
Review and approve construction contracts and architect agreements, and assess contractor qualifications, including licensing, experience, financial strength, reputation, trade references, and insurance.
Conduct appropriate background reviews of borrowers, guarantors, and contractors.
For SBA construction loans, collect contractor financial statements, review trade references, complete financial analysis, ensure SBA compliance, and verify borrower equity and project sources of funds.
Monitor construction loans through the life of each project and coordinate with Fund Control for timely, accurate project funding.
Review draw requests and supporting invoices, lien releases, change orders, and inspection reports; ensure reimbursement requests comply with approved budgets.
Conduct periodic site inspections and monitor timelines, budgets, completion status, and construction milestones; identify risks and recommend corrective action.
Monitor assigned portfolio payment performance, maturities, renewals, annual reviews, covenant compliance, and criticized and classified loans.
Prepare loan modification and renewal recommendations, maintain borrower communication about project performance and financial condition, and keep loan files complete, current, and compliant with Bank policy and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with Relationship Managers, Credit Administration, Loan Operations, Fund Control, appraisers, attorneys, inspectors, title companies, and executive management.
Support loan origination staff with construction lending expertise throughout underwriting and closing, while balancing client service with prudent risk management.
Assist the Chief Credit Officer and executive leadership with reporting, portfolio analytics, policy development, and special projects.
Understand and follow Bank BSA/AML and compliance policies and report or elevate suspicious activity to the BSA Officer as appropriate.
Travel as needed to support clients, business development, and prospect meetings.