Vice President of Originations

IFF (CDFI)•Chicago, IL

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

IFF is seeking a Vice President of Originations to lead and develop a high-performing lending team across multiple markets, with responsibility for overall loan origination and closing performance. This role is designed for a senior leader who brings both strong technical lending expertise and a passion for people leadership - someone who has been a successful originator and is now motivated to build, coach, and elevate others. The VP of Originations will focus on driving team accountability, strengthening deal quality, and ensuring consistency and a high level of client-satisfaction across both originations and closing functions. The role has a heavy internal focus, with responsibility for team performance and execution, while maintaining a thoughtful external presence to support market credibility and leadership. IFF is looking for candidates with a commitment to the work we do who can demonstrate their creativity, diligence, enthusiasm, growth-mindset, thoughtfulness, and passion to make meaningful change in the areas of economic and racial justice.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in business, accounting or finance.
Significant experience (10+ years) in lending, banking, or structured finance, with a strong technical foundation.
Proven track record of business development and loan origination.
Strong people management and coaching capabilities (approximately 70% leadership / 30% technical orientation).
Demonstrated track record of successfully leading high performing teams.
Deep understanding of deal structuring and the full transaction lifecycle.
Ability to command credibility and respect from senior-level team members.
Solutions-oriented mindset with a focus on resolving challenges, not just identifying them.
Strong communication skills and an approachable, low-ego leadership style.
Comfort working in complex, ambiguous, and evolving environments.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with detailed execution.
Regular travel throughout the Midwest region; occasional early start or extended hours and evening or weekend work.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience in a similar position.

Responsibilities

Provide high-touch leadership, coaching, and performance management to senior team members.
Drive accountability for team-wide origination and closing goals, rather than individual production.
Support team leads in strengthening pipeline quality, deal execution, and overall performance.
Create clarity around expectations, priorities, and performance standards.
Foster a collaborative, low-ego, and solutions-oriented team culture.
Coach team members on deal structuring, positioning, and execution.
Apply deep technical knowledge to support complex or non-standard transactions.
Ensure strong coordination between originations and closing functions.
Balance focus between new deal generation and successful execution of transactions.
Support problem-solving to move deals forward, with a solutions-oriented mindset.
Partner closely with VP of Client Management (construction loan administration and portfolio management), VP of Credit (credit, risk, and policy), and VP of Operations (process improvement and compliance).
Create clarity around roles, responsibilities, and handoffs between teams.
Ensure alignment between deal intent at origination and execution post-closing.
Support organizational visibility into market conditions, portfolio performance and key risks.
Contribute to broader strategy by identifying trends, challenges, and opportunities within the portfolio.
Maintain approachable, steady, and relationship-oriented leadership style.
Operate with low ego and a strong sense of ownership.
Bring structure and clarity without rigidity.
Lead with patience and sound judgment, particularly in complex or nuanced situations.
Act as a connector across teams, fostering alignment and collaboration.
Navigate ambiguity and system building in real time.
Contribute as a positive cultural influence for IFF.
Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Promotes an environment of empathy and respect, ensures the inclusion of all team members, and will actively engage in EDI events and learning opportunities.