Commercial Real Estate Senior Underwriter

The Role

The Senior Underwriter role is pivotal to Ascent's lending strategy, ensuring excellence across commercial and construction loan portfolios. By setting high standards in Sponsor and Loan Underwriting, this role ensures that loan assessments are thorough, consistent, and aligned with organizational goals. Beyond technical expertise, the Senior Underwriter fosters a collaborative, high-morale environment where productivity and growth thrive. Bridging departments, this role enables seamless collaboration and direct communication with senior leadership, placing the team at the center of impactful decision-making. As the organization grows, this role evolves from team lead to supervisory, expanding its influence on team development and company growth.

The Work

• Oversee Underwriting at both Sponsor and Loan level, Portfolio Monitoring, and Compliance.
• Provide working knowledge and input to Credit Policy, Front-End Guidance, and credit support documents.
• Develop and mentor the Underwriting and Credit Analysis team.
• Recommend and implement the best practices as part of the Company’s dedication to creating an industry-leading customer experience.
• Develop efficient and timely Underwriting processes, and ongoing monitoring improvement opportunities.
• Produce concise, complete, consistent, and accurate work products for approval authority(s), primarily Credit Approval Documents and Underwriting Packages.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Sales leadership and the Sales support team.
• Educate and lead the Underwriting team to ensure accurate and efficient assessment of credit risk.
• Adhere to underwriting policies, guidelines, and procedures that align with industry standards and regulatory requirements; recommend enhancements thereof.
• Evaluate and analyze financial statements, credit reports, and other Underwriting data to inform prudent lending decisions.
• Develop consistent and effective processes for both initial and ongoing Sponsor-only assessments.
• Partner in the development and maintenance of effective portfolio assessment, monitoring, and management processes, including problem loan identification.
• Implement risk mitigation strategies to maintain portfolio quality.
• Remain current with changes in regulations and translate to Underwriting operations.
• Collaborate with the compliance team to enable compliant Underwriting policies and procedures.
• Recruit, train, and mentor Underwriters and Credit Analysts in support of a high-performing, high morale team.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that encourages both innovation and continuous improvement.

Your Skills & Experience

• 5+ years proven experience in both Construction Project and Sponsor Underwriting, preferably in regulated financial institutions.
• 5+ years risk assessment and portfolio management, preferably in a financial services or lending institution.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, business, or related field.
• Highly effective communicator with strong presentation and relationship-building skills. 
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-growing, collaborative environment. 
• Strong knowledge of financial analysis, credit risk modeling, and regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Leadership track record of leading and developing Underwriting and Credit Analyst teams.
• Proficiency in financial software and tools, including LOS, financial spreads and risk-scoring tools.

The Work Environment

• This role works on-site from Ascent's Encino office, Monday - Thursday (Fridays are work-from-home).
• Full-time, 40 hours per week; must be available for occasional overtime.
• Some nights and weekends required.

Salary Range

Salary range is $150k-$175k per year, with a discretionary bonus adding up to 20% per year.