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

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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.

Key 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Success Measures

• High‑quality, timely credit decisions.

• Strong portfolio performance and early risk mitigation.

• Positive regulatory/audit outcomes.

• Strong cross‑functional partnerships.

• Responsible CRA‑aligned portfolio growth.

Hours & Work Schedule

• Hours per Week: 40
• Work Schedule: M-F

Pay Transparency 

The salary range for this position is $200,000- $215,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the work location, and relevant skills and experience.

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. For an overview of our benefits, visit https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits .

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Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.

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Background Check

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the candidate successfully passing a background check, which may include initial credit, motor vehicle record, public record, prior employment verification, and criminal background checks. Results of the background check are individually reviewed based upon legal requirements imposed by our regulators and with consideration of the nature and gravity of the background history and the job offered. Any offer of employment will include further information.