Sr Credit Officer, Community Development Lending & Investments (CDLI)

Citizens Financial Group • Boston, MA

21h • $200,000 - $215,000

About The Position

At Citizens, we’re more than a bank and here you’ll experience new things, create new opportunities, think beyond your role and make an impact! Senior Credit Officer — Community Development Lending & Investments (CDLI) About the Role We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Credit Officer (SVP) to provide independent credit oversight, approval authority, and strategic leadership for our Community Development Lending & Investments (CDLI) platform. This role is accountable for credit decisions across affordable housing finance, tax credit equity investments, CDFI lending, NMTC structures, and other mission ‑ driven activities aligned with CRA and community impact objectives. The ideal candidate brings deep affordable housing and community development expertise, strong risk judgment, and the ability to navigate complex capital structures and regulatory expectations while supporting responsible business growth.

Requirements

• 12–15+ years credit risk, lending or underwriting experience with affordable housing/community development expertise or related CRE experience
• Expertise in LIHTC, NMTC, HTC, CDFI lending, and structured finance.
• Strong understanding of CRA, OCC, and FDIC regulatory expectations.
• Demonstrated independent authority on complex transactions.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and executive presentation skills.
• Bachelor’s required; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Credit Decisioning & Independent Approval Authority Serve as the primary credit approval officer for community development loans and investments, including affordable housing (LIHTC, tax ‑ exempt bonds, HUD structures, new construction, acquisition/rehab), construction loans, LIHTC bridge loans, term loans, NMTC leveraged loans, CDFI lines of credit, credit card and ACH products.
• Approve LIHTC, NMTC, HTC, and equivalent investments.
• Review and approve complex capital stacks, layered financing, and tax ‑ credit structures.
• Portfolio Oversight, Early Warning & Strategic Risk Management Lead oversight of portfolio performance, credit trends, concentrations, and emerging risks.
• Manage payment/tax delinquency reviews, weekly delinquency reporting, monthly pipeline and maturities monitoring, and monthly equity reporting.
• Oversee Internal WAR meetings, PRSC reviews, and quarterly syndicator reviews (RBC, CREA, BFIM, NEF).
• Partner with RMs, PMs, Workout/CRM/MAD teams on remediation and downgrade strategies.
• Policy, Governance & Regulatory Alignment Ensure adherence to credit policies, underwriting standards, and documentation requirements.
• Respond to Credit Review exams, resolve RERS recommendations, and support OCC/FDIC/CRA compliance.
• Collaborate with CRE Credit on policy development and coverage support.
• Leadership, Collaboration & Credit Culture Serve as CDLI credit SME.
• Partner with Debt and Equity teams on structure, terms, and credit strategy.
• Promote underwriting rigor and mentor junior credit staff.
• Represent Credit in senior forums, committees, and strategic working groups.
• Strategic & Market Engagement Stay current on legislation, regulatory updates, and market changes in affordable housing, LIHTC/NMTC, and CDFI finance.
• Engage with external groups such as the Affordable Housing Investors Council and major syndicators.
• Support new product evaluation and mission ‑ aligned growth strategies.

Benefits

• We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more.
• Note, Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees