Senior Loan Operations Administrator

Western Alliance Bank•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

The Senior SBA Loan Administrator is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of SBA and complex commercial loan transactions, including processing, documentation, closing, and funding. This role ensures strict adherence to SBA Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), regulatory requirements, and bank policies, with a primary focus on protecting the SBA guaranty and maintaining strong collateral integrity. This position serves as a key operational partner to Relationship Managers, Portfolio Managers, Credit, Legal, Documentation, and Loan Servicing teams, while acting as a central point of coordination with external parties including CDCs, title and escrow companies, and legal counsel. The Senior SBA Loan Administrator also supports team development by mentoring junior staff and contributing to process standardization and efficiency.

Requirements

5+ years of SBA loan processing and closing experience (7(a), 504, Express required)
High school diploma required.
Strong working knowledge of SBA SOP, lending regulations, and loan documentation practices
Experience with complex commercial loan structures and multi-party transactions
Proven ability to manage high-volume, deadline-driven pipelines with minimal oversight
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop team members

Responsibilities

Manage end-to-end processing and closing of SBA 7(a), 504, and Express loans, as well as related commercial loan products
Analyze loan approvals to determine appropriate due diligence, documentation requirements, and closing structure
Coordinate with Relationship Managers, CDCs, legal counsel, title/escrow, and internal partners to facilitate timely closings
Direct preparation of loan documentation and ensure alignment with credit approval, SBA SOP, and program eligibility requirements
Lead borrower and counterparty communication to obtain and validate required documentation
Ensure all transactions are executed in compliance with SBA SOP, regulatory requirements, and internal credit policy
Validate eligibility requirements to preserve SBA guaranty integrity
Review collateral structure, lien priority, insurance coverage, and third-party reports to ensure proper risk positioning
Maintain complete, accurate, and audit-ready loan files that meet internal and SBA audit standards
Coordinate and execute loan closings, including preparation of funding packages and settlement review
Book and fund loans in core systems, ensuring accuracy of terms, conditions, and financial details
Process disbursements, wires, and vendor payments in accordance with closing instructions
Ensure all fees and closing costs are accurately calculated, collected, and reconciled
Deliver complete loan packages for boarding and partner with Loan Servicing for seamless handoff
Monitor post-closing requirements, including trailing documents, collateral perfection, and SBA-specific conditions
Track and resolve exceptions to ensure compliance and avoid guaranty risk
Support ongoing portfolio management through covenant monitoring, UCC tracking, and financial reporting requirements
Serve as a subject matter expert on SBA lending and complex loan structures
Provide training, mentorship, and guidance to Loan Administrators and junior staff
Identify process improvement opportunities to enhance efficiency, quality, and risk controls
Partner with leadership on standardization initiatives across loan operations

Benefits

competitive salaries
an ownership stake in the company
medical and dental insurance
time off
a great 401k matching program
tuition assistance program
an employee volunteer program
a wellness program
opportunity to bolster business knowledge
learning the ins and outs of how successful companies operate and manage their finances
invaluable hands-on experience to help grow your career