Director/Vice President, Credit

Exponent • Milwaukee, WI

1d • $180,000 - $215,000

About The Position

Lead credit underwriting and governance for a fast-growing Midwest-based commercial real estate platform, shaping credit strategy and mentoring emerging talent in a high-impact, scale-up environment.

Requirements

• Independent Credit Leadership: Own the final credit review before the Investment Committee with minimal ramp-up, making well-defended, independent credit decisions to maintain portfolio quality.
• Mentorship of Junior Underwriters: Lead and mentor a team of 6-8 junior credit professionals under 30, elevating underwriting skills and ensuring alignment on consistent standards and processes.
• Process Improvement & Operational Excellence: Drive process enhancements in a startup-to-scale-up environment by identifying inefficiencies, implementing improvements, and compressing underwriting timelines to support growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead credit underwriting and review: Own final credit analysis and drive loan proposals through the Investment Committee, ensuring solid credit quality and risk controls.
• Mentor and develop junior underwriters: Coach and elevate a team of 6-8 junior credit pros, raising underwriting consistency and standards.
• Process improvement and governance: Spot inefficiencies in underwriting workflows, refine credit policies, and streamline Investment Committee memos and decks.
• Portfolio risk monitoring: Manage portfolio performance, track emerging risks, and push proactive risk mitigation tactics.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with Originations, Capital Markets, and senior leadership to align credit strategy and support deal pipeline qualification and scoping.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed