Lending Team Manager

The Role

The Lending Team Manager is responsible for leading a team of lending professionals while actively overseeing loan structuring, pipeline execution, and borrower engagement. This role sits at the intersection of sales leadership, credit oversight, and operational execution, ensuring deals are structured creatively yet prudently, with a strong credit-first mindset.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Pipeline Oversight

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of lending professionals to achieve and exceed production targets
• Be assigned specific Loan Officer (LO) pods and oversee pipeline workflow, prioritization, and execution
• Monitor pipeline health and ensure deals progress efficiently from application through funding
• Identify bottlenecks and manage escalations, presenting issues to Credit Operations and Credit as needed

Loan Structuring & Deal Execution

• Take ownership of loan structuring in partnership with the sales team, leveraging market knowledge and creativity while maintaining a credit-first mentality
• Guide originators on structuring complex transactions and navigating borrower scenarios
• Ensure all deals align with Ascent’s credit standards and overall risk framework

Credit Oversight & Approvals

• Review loan scenarios and provide recommendations on embedded loan extensions to SVP – Credit
• Partner closely with Credit and Underwriting teams to ensure disciplined evaluation and execution
• Assist in resolving exception requests and risk considerations

Borrower & Sponsor Engagement

• Participate in borrower onboarding calls and ongoing construction calls with sponsors
• Support relationship management strategy across the lifecycle of the loan
• Oversee extension and covenant-related outreach to sponsors in coordination with Relationship Managers

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with underwriting, processing, capital markets, and servicing teams
• Ensure alignment across departments to drive efficient deal execution and strong borrower experience

Strategy & Reporting

• Track team performance, pipeline metrics, and market trends
• Contribute to lending strategy, product development, and process improvements
• Use data and feedback loops to optimize team productivity and outcomes

 Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in real estate lending (bridge, construction, or private credit preferred)
• 2–5+ years of leadership or team management experience
• Strong expertise in loan structuring, credit analysis, and real estate finance
• Proven ability to manage pipelines and drive loan production
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

 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.

• $185,000 - $225,000 with 25% bonus target