Director of ESOP Lending

Climate First Bank

5d • Remote

About The Position

The Director of ESOP Lending is a senior commercial banking role responsible for originating and managing ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) and employee ownership lending relationships. The role applies traditional commercial banking practices with specialized ESOP expertise and serves as the primary client-facing lead for ESOP borrowers.

The Director originates lending and deposit opportunities, develops referral relationships and a national pipeline, and represents the bank in ESOP industry forums. The role manages client relationships, guides transaction discussions, coordinates onboarding and closing, and leads deal structuring in partnership with clients, advisors, and internal credit teams. It also oversees relationship health and credit compliance, contributes to the bank’s ESOP lending strategy and growth processes, and supports internal education on ESOP lending.

The role is remote within the United States, aligned with Eastern Standard Hours, with occasional U.S. travel for company events or leadership sessions. Applicants must be comfortable working independently in a remote role. The bank describes its mission as supporting environmental, social, economic, and racial justice and expects employees to follow bank policies, procedures, regulations, and compliance requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, accounting, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of commercial banking or corporate finance experience.
• Experience with ESOPs or complex middle-market lending structures.
• Proven ability to source, manage, and close complex transactions.
• Strong cash flow lending expertise and ability to manage complex, multi-party transactions.
• Clear, confident communication skills, active listening, and ability to build trust with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong knowledge of financial products, regulations, and business banking, including ability to analyze financial statements and legal documentation.
• Ability to learn new tools quickly and use technology to optimize work and streamline processes.
• Ability to work independently in a remote role.
• Willingness to travel occasionally within the United States for company events or leadership sessions.
• Ability to meet the physical demands described, including sustained standing and sitting, frequent communication and PC use, and occasional lifting up to 20 lbs.

Nice To Haves

• Prior ESOP lending or advisory experience.
• Familiarity with ESOP trustees, valuation firms, and ERISA counsel.
• Experience working remotely or in distributed teams.
• Success building national referral networks.
• Entrepreneurial, self-starting approach, with ownership of outcomes, urgency, and ability to thrive in a high-expectation environment.
• Relationship-driven and consultative lending approach.
• Strong team orientation, including sharing ideas and contributing to broader goals.

Responsibilities

• Originate ESOP and employee ownership lending and deposit opportunities, including buyouts, refinancings, recapitalizations, and growth financings.
• Build referral relationships with ESOP advisors, attorneys, trustees, valuation firms, investment bankers, and other industry partners.
• Develop a national ESOP pipeline through networking, thought leadership, and industry involvement.
• Represent the bank at ESOP conferences, events, and educational forums.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for ESOP clients and as a trusted advisor to owners and employee-owned companies.
• Lead discussions about transaction structure, capital needs, timing, and bank requirements.
• Coordinate client onboarding, documentation, and closing with internal partners.
• Maintain long-term client relationships after closing and provide high service standards.
• Lead deal structuring with clients, ESOP advisors, and internal credit teams.
• Liaise between clients and underwriting, credit, legal, and loan operations.
• Maintain accountability for relationship health, client satisfaction, and credit compliance.
• Partner on reviews, amendments, and ongoing portfolio monitoring.
• Identify risks or growth opportunities and escalate them as needed.
• Support development of the bank’s ESOP lending strategy and go-to-market approach.
• Educate internal teams on ESOP structures, market dynamics, and client needs.
• Contribute to best practices and scalable growth processes.
• Embody a commitment to environmental, social, economic, and racial justice and pursue education related to sustainability practices.
• Understand and follow bank policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Identify and escalate suspicious or fraudulent activity in collaboration with appropriate teams.
• Maintain working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and bank policies, and complete required compliance and IT training.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health coverage for employees, with an employer contribution for dependents.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Free telemedicine access via Teladoc.
• 401(k) with 6% employer match and no vesting period.
• Employee stock options.
• Exclusive employee banking perks.
• 0% financing for employee solar loans.
• Employee-only mortgage product with exclusive interest rates and terms.
• 0% financing for eligible electric vehicles.
• Referral incentives.
• Two to four weeks of vacation based on officer level, plus additional tenure-based time.
• 64 hours of paid sick time for full-time employees.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Voluntary life, accident, and critical illness coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program with free counseling, legal, and financial services.
• Position may be eligible for an annual bonus, incentives, and equity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior