Senior Construction Loan Administrator

Hancock Whitney•Gulfport, MS

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Construction Loan Administrator serves as the subject matter expert for the administration of commercial and residential construction loans. Evaluates documentation, recommends policy deviations, and exercises independent judgment in assessing project and financial risk across all stages of the construction lifecycle. Advises Relationship Managers, Credit, and Loan Operations on structuring, funding, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure project success and loan compliance. Operates with autonomy across a diverse portfolio of complex projects and acts as the primary decision-maker for construction-related documentation, funding decisions, and monitoring plans.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required
7 years of experience in commercial and/or residential construction lending or loan administration.
Deep familiarity with construction documentation, project budgeting, and State Lien Law requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
Ability to evaluate complex or incomplete third-party documentation and determine acceptability.
Strong understanding of credit structuring, draw management, and project financial risk.
Skilled in professional communication with clients, general contractors, and legal counsel.
Experience advising or training internal stakeholders on construction loan practices.

Nice To Haves

additional coursework in construction management, real estate, or finance preferred

Responsibilities

Independently reviews construction documentation across multiple states to determine acceptability, applying judgment to assess legal, financial, and operational sufficiency.
Formulates and recommends project-specific deviations from loan policy or standard procedures, escalating only when required by credit thresholds or regulatory exceptions.
Serves as the primary reviewer of construction due diligence prior to closing, with authority to require amendments to credit approval packages when deficiencies are identified.
Determines appropriate draw structures, release of contingency funds, and client out-of-pocket obligations, balancing project needs with loan constraints.
Evaluates cost overruns, budget realignments, and non-standard funding requests, making decisions that materially impact the financial success and risk posture of the loan.
Guides project stakeholders (RM, PM, CCA, client, and general contractors) through documentation expectations and disbursement processes.
Trains internal stakeholders on construction funding procedures, document requirements, and state-specific lien law implications.
Oversees risk assessment during the construction phase, identifying early warning signs of project failure and developing response strategies to mitigate exposure.
May lead or advise on departmental procedural enhancements based on trends in builder risk, supply chain impacts, and regional construction market shifts.
Acts as the construction monitoring lead on assigned projects, coordinating with inspectors, attorneys, and third parties to ensure accurate execution and adherence to loan terms.