Lead Commercial Real Estate Underwriter

Wells Fargo & Company•St. Louis, MO

4d•$139,000 - $239,000

About The Position

At Wells Fargo, we are looking for talented people who will put our customers at the center of everything we do. Help us build a better Wells Fargo. It all begins with outstanding talent. It all begins with you. Wealth & Investment Management (WIM) is one of the United States' leading providers of financial and investment services. We offer a full range of personalized wealth management, investment, planning, and retirement products and services to help meet clients' unique needs and to help them pursue their financial goals more confidently. We bring together subject matter expertise, products, and services, so it's easier for clients to do business with us and for advisors to support their clients. Banking, Lending, & Trust (BL&T) unlocks access to Wells Fargo Bank products and services to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families based on needs related to banking, custom lending, and trust services. These bank specialists leverage resources, valuable research, relationships, custom solutions, and highly tuned strategies to address clients' unique needs and aspirations. About this role: Wells Fargo is seeking a Lead Commercial Real Estate Underwriter...Working at Wells Fargo | Jobs and Careers at Wells Fargo (wellsfargojobs.com) In this role, you will: The Lead Commercial Real Estate Underwriter serves as a senior individual contributor and thought leader, responsible for underwriting complex CRE transactions held on the bank’s balance sheet. This role has significant influence over credit quality, portfolio risk, regulatory compliance, and overall business loan growth. The Lead Underwriter partners closely with Credit Risk, Relationship Management, and senior leadership to support safe and sound growth. Advanced Credit & Risk Assessment Underwrite and approve highly complex CRE transactions involving multiple asset classes, high net worth sponsors, geographies, and structures. Apply expert judgment within bank policies, credit authorities, and compliance requirements (e.g., regulatory guidance, internal audit standards). Ensure consistent application of underwriting standards across teams and transactions. Decision-Making & Risk Leadership Make or influence credit decisions in challenging or precedent-setting situations with material financial risk. Provide clear, defensible credit rationale suitable for internal committees, regulators, and senior management review. Lead underwriting projects or cross-functional initiatives focused on process improvement, risk mitigation, or portfolio optimization. Collaboration & Influence Partner with Relationship Managers, Credit Risk, Legal, Compliance, and Portfolio Management to resolve complex deal or portfolio issues to achieve goals. Consult with mid-level to senior managers to align underwriting decisions with enterprise risk strategy. Serve as a peer mentor, supporting the development of underwriting talent and reinforcing strong credit culture. Additional WIM hub locations may be considered for this position.

Requirements

5+ years of Commercial Real Estate Underwriting experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education

Nice To Haves

Thorough knowledge of financial accounting theory and logic, financial statement analysis, loan structuring and commercial banking products and services.
Excellent credit skills including an ability to structure, negotiate, and document a broad range of real estate loan types, structures and complex requests.
Strong interpersonal, communication, writing and partnering skills.
Ability to make sound, independent business and credit decisions.
Deep experience in wealth or commercial lending/underwriting is preferred.
Experience in capital markets, commercial/corporate/investment banking, commercial real estate lending or similar is desired.

Responsibilities

Underwrite and approve highly complex CRE transactions involving multiple asset classes, high net worth sponsors, geographies, and structures.
Apply expert judgment within bank policies, credit authorities, and compliance requirements (e.g., regulatory guidance, internal audit standards).
Ensure consistent application of underwriting standards across teams and transactions.
Make or influence credit decisions in challenging or precedent-setting situations with material financial risk.
Provide clear, defensible credit rationale suitable for internal committees, regulators, and senior management review.
Lead underwriting projects or cross-functional initiatives focused on process improvement, risk mitigation, or portfolio optimization.
Partner with Relationship Managers, Credit Risk, Legal, Compliance, and Portfolio Management to resolve complex deal or portfolio issues to achieve goals.
Consult with mid-level to senior managers to align underwriting decisions with enterprise risk strategy.
Serve as a peer mentor, supporting the development of underwriting talent and reinforcing strong credit culture.