Description

The SBA Lending Director will architect, launch, and scale the institution's SBA 7(a) lending program from inception. Operating as a strategic "player-coach," this leader will build out operational workflows, establish rigorous credit standards, and recruit a high-performing team to drive C&I growth across the Southeast. The SBA Lending Director owns the division's P&L and secondary market strategy while ensuring regulatory compliance and portfolio health.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

• Design and implement an SBA 7(a) lending program from inception, including policies, credit standards, operational workflows, and production targets
• Lead, recruit, and develop a team of SBA Business Development Officers, underwriters, closers, and support professionals
• Own the division's P&L, origination goals, and portfolio quality metrics
• Serve as the institution's internal subject matter expert on government-guaranteed lending for executive leadership, credit committee, and the board
• Build a multi-year business plan with volume projections, staffing models, and income forecasts
• Maintain a personal production portfolio as a player-coach while building and scaling team volume
• Develop and manage referral relationships with centers of influence, brokers, and strategic partners across the Southeast
• Drive SBA 7(a) origination volume consistent with the institution's C&I growth objectives
• Manage the division's secondary market execution strategy, including relationships with SBA loan buyers and decisions on held vs. sold loan portfolios
• Establish the division's credit process, underwriting standards, and closing protocols in coordination with senior credit leadership
• Ensure full SBA regulatory compliance, SOPs, and audit readiness across the lending lifecycle
• Oversee portfolio performance including special assets, servicing, and default management
• Partner with loan operations, compliance, and finance teams to build scalable back-office infrastructure

JOB REQUIREMENTS :

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting or related field required
• Significant prior SBA 7(a) lending experience, with previous experience in a senior production or leadership capacity
• Prior experience in operational infrastructure development, including credit policy, compliance frameworks, or loan servicing buildouts preferred
• Experience operating in both secondary market and portfolio (held) loan models preferred

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS REQUIRED :

• Advanced understanding of SBA program mechanics
• Advanced understanding of both front-office production and back-office operations (underwriting, closing, servicing)
• Advanced knowledge of loan structuring terms and conditions
• Advanced knowledge of statistical analysis
• Intermediate knowledge of SBA 7(a) rules and regulations
• Intermediate portfolio management skills
• Intermediate strategic planning skills
• Intermediate understanding of credit underwriting
• Intermediate leadership skills
• Intermediate proficiency with core loan accounting and loan origination systems
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL QUALIFICATIONS :

• Standing, walking, bending and stooping required
• Must be able to sit at a desk for long periods of time and use a computer
• Must be able to occasionally move or lift up to 10 pounds
• May be asked to work supplemental hours periodically
• Travel required occasionally during and after business hours