Credit Officer

Low Income Investment Fund•Atlanta, GA

12h•$164,000 - $205,000

About The Position

The Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) is seeking a Credit Officer to manage and support the growing credit needs of the organization. This non-profit community development financial institution mobilizes capital and partners to achieve opportunity, equity, and well-being for people and communities. LIIF innovates financial solutions that center racial equity to create more equitable outcomes by building and preserving affordable homes, quality educational opportunities, health clinics, healthy food retail, and community facilities. The Credit Officer will initially function as an individual contributor, playing a key role in designing the structure, workflows, and processes for the Credit and Asset Management team. Within approximately six months, this position will assume direct supervisor responsibilities for assigned team members. The role involves managing the flow of credit, including new loan approvals and modifications/extensions to the existing portfolio, supervising the Special Attention Loan portfolio, conducting annual updates to the loan loss reserve qualitative analysis, and managing the Risk Rating Model and Lending Manual. The Credit Officer will also support ongoing and ad hoc credit and cross-departmental projects, and assist the Chief Credit Officer in supporting the Internal Loan Committee and the Lending Risk Committee, working with Finance, Legal, Compliance, and Program Teams as needed.

Requirements

Strong lending/credit skills
Experience in real estate-based lending, including deal structuring, and risk mitigation.
Experience as a strategic thinker with strong relationship skills
Strong organizing and time-management skills
Experience problem solving and supporting transaction structuring in multiple markets.
Working experience with both private sector financial institutions and public agencies.
Ability to work with multiple stakeholders including Finance Department, Loan Officers, Executive Team and Board Committees and others on complex modeling and analyses.
Computer aptitude, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite Programs, nCino and Salesforce, and ability to work within and support modifications of the systems.
Excellent skills in managing multiple tasks requiring strong attention to detail
Self-motivation, dedication, and flexibility
Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field such as Real Estate, Urban Planning, Business Administration, Finance, or related discipline.
Demonstrated self-motivation, creativity, perseverance, and dedication in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Strong organizational, teamwork, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
Flexibility with scheduling and willingness to take on a demanding yet rewarding role.
Ability and willingness to travel as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience structuring transactions for affordable housing, charter school, and community facilities loans and has coached staff doing this work.
Ability to understand and be credit lead for financial and accounting conventions in cross-team work.
Familiarity with the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program.
Organized with project management and consultant management skills and experience.
Experience in underwriting complex affordable housing and/or charter school transactions is preferred.
Proficiency in analyzing financials of nonprofit organizations and real estate operations (in particular, rental housing and community facilities) preferred.
Advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 7 years of experience in credit, lending, and/or community development finance.
Proven track record in community development real estate credit and relationship management with both internal and external stakeholders.
Experience working within low-income communities and a demonstrated passion for community impact and economic development.
Background in one or more of the following areas preferred: Affordable housing, Charter schools, Health facilities, Community facilities serving low-income populations, Businesses improving access to healthy foods.
Knowledge of Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund programs and New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) preferred.
Familiarity with industry best practices across CDFIs and Community Development Banks is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Manage and support the growing credit needs of the Low Income Investment Fund.
Design the structure, workflows, and processes for the Credit and Asset Management team.
Assume direct supervisor responsibilities for assigned team members within approximately six months.
Manage the flow of credit within the organization, including new loan approvals and approvals of modifications and extensions to the existing loan portfolio.
Support all functions related to the execution of Credit responsibilities, including supervision of the Special Attention Loan portfolio.
Oversee the annual update to the loan loss reserve qualitative analysis.
Manage the Risk Rating Model and the Lending Manual.
Manage and/or support ongoing and ad hoc Credit and cross-departmental projects supporting the Strategic Plan and the growth of the organization.
Support the Internal Loan Committee and the Lending Risk Committee alongside the Chief Credit Officer.
Work with the Finance team, the Legal team (including Compliance), and Program and National Lending Initiatives Teams as needed.
Support the approval of credit functions as outlined in the Loan and Asset Concentration Policy and delegations.
Oversee the Special Attention Loan (SAL) portfolio, including leading monthly SAL/challenged loan meetings, quarterly SAL credit committee reviews, updates to SAL loss reserve projections, and corresponding with external partners and Borrowers.
Lead LIIF’s annual qualitative analysis update to the CECL loan loss reserve calculation, assessing qualitative risk factors, assigning risk status and weight, collecting and analyzing portfolio trends and macroeconomic data, and presenting findings.
Manage LIIF’s Risk Rating Model, providing support to staff on methodology and utilization, ensuring timely risk assessments, managing updates, and coordinating with IT teams.
Guide Originations and Underwriting staff on LIIF lending policies, financial products, and procedures as outlined in the LIIF Lending Manual.
Update the Lending Manual at least quarterly, or more often as needed.
Support updating the Loan and Asset Concentration Policy and Loan Products to appropriately govern credit risk.
Act as the Credit lead on cross-departmental initiatives that emerge as projects of strategic importance.