Manager, Equipment Finance Documentation and Legal Specialist

Hancock Whitney•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

This role is responsible for overseeing the development, maintenance, and negotiation of loan and lease documentation for a $2 billion portfolio of serialized commercial asset-backed transactions serving middle-market borrowers (revenues of $50M–$2B). This role manages a team of six documentation professionals, streamlines documentation processes, and negotiates with client counsel to facilitate timely and compliant deal closings. This role will leverage expertise in equipment finance, title/closing, and legal practice to ensure documentation accuracy, mitigate legal and operational risks.

Requirements

Licensed attorney with a strong understanding of commercial finance law, including secured transactions and UCC regulations.
Proven experience in equipment finance business development, including sales and underwriting, with a track record of managing complex transactions.
Background in title and closing processes, with expertise in resolving documentation and lien-related issues.
Demonstrated leadership skills, with experience managing or mentoring teams in high-pressure environments.
Exceptional negotiation skills, with the ability to balance client demands with bank risk policies.
Strong organizational and analytical skills, with proficiency in document management systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
Excellent communication skills to collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., Credit Officers, Relationship Managers) and external parties (e.g., client counsel).

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of equipment finance industry trends and middle-market borrower needs (revenues of $50M–$2B) preferred.

Responsibilities

Draft, update, and revise the Equipment Finance group’s standard set of loan and lease agreements, ensuring compliance with bank policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
Incorporate feedback from internal stakeholders (e.g., Credit Officers, Relationship Managers) and external counsel to refine templates for clarity, flexibility, and risk mitigation.
Maintain a centralized repository of standardized documents to streamline deal execution.
Provide guidance on complex documentation issues, reducing management burden on the Head of Equipment Finance and Director of Operations.
Implement processes to improve team efficiency, such as workflows for document review, approval, and tracking.
Negotiate changes to standard loan and lease documents with client counsel, balancing client needs with the bank’s risk and compliance requirements.
Collaborate with deal teams (Relationship Managers, Portfolio Managers, Credit Officers) to ensure documentation aligns with approved credit structures and deal terms.
Oversee the closing process, coordinating with internal teams and external parties to resolve documentation exceptions and ensure timely execution.
Review loan and lease agreements for legal accuracy, enforceability, and adherence to regulatory standards (e.g., UCC, state-specific lien laws).
Monitor compliance with loan covenants and terms during the closing process, flagging potential issues to the deal team.
Conduct periodic audits of closed transactions to ensure documentation integrity and compliance with bank policy.
Support the Head of Equipment Finance and Director of Operations on special projects, such as portfolio acquisitions, new product launches, or regulatory audits.
Provide legal and operational insights during deal structuring, particularly for complex transactions involving atypical commercial assets.
Assist in training Portfolio Managers and Relationship Managers on documentation standards and closing protocols.