SVP, Head of LIHTC Credit

Walker & Dunlop•Calabasas, CA

23h•$250,000 - $300,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The SVP, Head of LIHTC Credit, will lead credit policy, governance, and risk oversight for WDAE. Reporting to the EVP, Group Head of WDAE, this senior leader will serve on WDAE’s leadership team and be responsible for ensuring sound transaction structures, disciplined credit standards, and well-supported credit recommendations across the LIHTC investment portfolio. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in affordable housing and LIHTC credit and finance, proven leadership capabilities, and a balanced approach to credit risk and business growth. This role plays a critical part in advancing WDAE’s mission to expand affordable housing investment while maintaining prudent and sustainable credit practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, real estate, accounting, or a related field; MBA or CFA preferred.
10+ years of progressively responsible experience in underwriting, credit, or risk management within LIHTC, affordable housing, or tax-advantaged real estate investment.
Specific experience in Section 42 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit syndication or affordable multifamily housing strongly preferred.
Experience with affordable housing programs such as LIHTC, HUD, and RAD highly desirable.
Strong understanding of LIHTC program regulations, partnership structures, and project-level cash flow dynamics.
Prior leadership experience overseeing teams and managing credit approval processes at a syndicator, investor, or affordable housing lender.
Demonstrated success implementing governance frameworks and leading cross-functional risk management initiatives.
Proven ability to make sound, independent credit decisions in a dynamic market environment.
Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills, with experience engaging senior management and external stakeholders.
Ability to initiate and maintain effective, cooperative relationships with team members, management, consultants, lenders, investors, and developers.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify, assess, and resolve complex issues.
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple priorities independently in a time-sensitive environment.
Demonstrated leadership that fosters open communication, collaborative problem-solving, and productive relationships across teams and stakeholders.
Ability to travel and engage directly with internal and external partners to address challenges and seize opportunities.
Commitment to cultivating a high-performance culture by recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent within the credit function and broader organization.
Deep expertise in affordable housing products, credit structures, and LIHTC financing.
Proficiency with both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan products.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in handling sensitive and non-routine information.
Effective written and verbal communication skills with colleagues, management, and clients.
Ability to adhere to all organizational regulations, policies, and work procedures.
Strong multitasking capability and ownership mindset, demonstrating initiative and accountability.
Willingness to embrace challenges, learn new processes, and approach growth opportunities with patience and persistence.
Strong learning orientation and commitment to personal and professional development.
Professionalism and respect in all interactions, fostering teamwork and collaboration.
Ability to show ownership of your work, take on challenges and acknowledge growth opportunities, and demonstrate patience when learning new processes.
Courtesy, respect, and thoughtfulness in teaming with colleagues and other stakeholders

Nice To Haves

MBA or CFA preferred.
Experience with affordable housing programs such as LIHTC, HUD, and RAD highly desirable.
Specific experience in Section 42 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit syndication or affordable multifamily housing strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead credit and underwriting strategy for LIHTC and related affordable housing investments, including development and maintenance of firmwide credit and underwriting policies that align with AHIC standards and industry best practices.
Ensure consistent underwriting standards across all funds and investment vehicles, including multi-investor and proprietary platforms.
Oversee the Acquisition, Underwriting, and Construction Management teams in preparing, reviewing, and approving detailed investment memoranda, incorporating comprehensive project- and sponsor-level risk assessments.
Serve as a voting member of the Investment Committee, leading deliberations and ensuring decisions are well-documented, analytically sound, and aligned with the firm’s risk appetite.
Provide independent credit judgment on proposed transactions, articulating key risks and appropriate mitigants.
Monitor market, regulatory, and industry developments to ensure WDAE’s credit practices remain current, competitive, and compliant.
Partner with executive leadership to align credit strategy with overall business objectives and evolving market conditions.
Identify, quantify, and mitigate risks across all phases of investment, including construction, lease-up, operations, and sponsor performance.
Collaborate with Asset Management to monitor post-closing performance, identify early warning indicators, and recommend corrective actions.
Provide portfolio-level insights to senior leadership and the Investment Committee regarding risk trends, exposure management, and capital allocation.
Lead credit oversight of the developer portfolio, including sponsor financial reviews, exposure management, and concentration analysis.
Evaluate sponsor strength and project pipelines to assess cross-collateralized and concentration risk across programs.
Exercise direct credit decision-making authority on development transactions presented by partners.
Partner with Originations and Asset Management to maintain prudent exposure limits and ongoing portfolio monitoring.
Establish, monitor, and report on exposure metrics across bridge loans, guarantees, indemnities, predevelopment loans, warehouse lines, and equity bridge loans.
Oversee and mentor the Acquisition, Underwriting, and Construction Management teams, fostering a culture of accountability, analytical rigor, and continuous improvement.
Streamline credit and underwriting processes by implementing workflow enhancements and technology solutions that drive efficiency and consistency.
Promote cross-functional collaboration among Originations, Investor Relations, Asset Management, and Finance to balance business growth with disciplined credit oversight.
Contribute to portfolio analytics, capital allocation decisions, and risk reporting in coordination with Finance, Asset Management, and Investor Relations.
Support recruitment, training, and professional development of credit and underwriting staff to build institutional knowledge and leadership depth.
Represent the credit function externally in meetings with lenders, investors, and industry stakeholders, ensuring WDAE’s credit platform is viewed as best-in-class.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

The opportunity to join one of Fortune Magazine’s Great Places to Work winners from 2015-2023
Comprehensive benefit options that have earned Walker & Dunlop the silver level of the 2022 Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation™
Up to 83% subsidized medical payroll deductions
Competitive dental and vision benefits
401(k) + match
Pre-tax transit and commuting benefits
A robust health and wellness program – earn cash rewards and gain access to resources that promote health, engagement, and balance
Paid maternity and parental leave, as well as other family paid leave programs
Company-paid life, short and long-term disability insurance
Health Savings Account and Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
Career development opportunities
Empowerment and encouragement to give back – volunteer hours and donation matching