Director of Construction Administration

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Construction Administration provides strategic leadership and oversight for all aspects of the Bank's construction loan administration function. The role is responsible for establishing governance, policies, procedures, controls, vendor management practices, portfolio monitoring standards, and risk mitigation frameworks supporting all construction lending activities. This role is responsible for managing the operational, risk management, and compliance activities associated with commercial and residential construction lending portfolios. The Director leads construction administration teams, partners with Credit, Lending, Closing, Portfolio Management, Risk, Compliance, and Executive Management, and ensures all construction loans are administered in accordance with approved credit structures, regulatory requirements, lien law, and Bank policy. The position serves as the enterprise subject matter expert for construction lending administration and drives continuous improvement, operational excellence, scalability, and exceptional client service.
The Director ensures the safe and sound administration of construction loans while supporting profitable growth objectives, maintaining regulatory compliance, and delivering exceptional service to internal and external stakeholders. As a senior leader within Loan Operations, this position develops and executes scalable processes, technology solutions, and risk management practices appropriate for a $20+ billion regional banking organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead construction loan administration operations
• Oversee draw administration and inspections
• Manage portfolio risk reporting and exception monitoring
• Ensure regulatory compliance and audit readiness
• Develop staff and improve operational efficiency
• Partner with lenders, credit, risk, and operations teams

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic leadership and oversight of construction administration activities across the commercial and residential construction portfolios.
• Develop and maintain construction administration policies, procedures, controls, risk standards, and operating guidelines.
• Lead and manage Construction Administration managers, specialists, and support staff; establish performance expectations, coaching, succession planning, and talent development programs.
• Provide governance over construction loan setup, documentation review, budget analysis, draw administration, inspections, change order management, lien compliance, insurance monitoring, project closeout, and loan conversion activities.
• Ensure construction loans are administered consistent with approved credit structures, loan policy, regulatory requirements, and construction lien law.
• Monitor portfolio performance, concentration trends, project risk indicators, budget variances, cost overruns, inspection exceptions, maturity management, and exposure reporting.
• Partner with CRE Lending, Syndications, Commercial Banking, Credit Administration, Document Services, Legal, Special Assets, Internal Audit, Compliance, Finance, and Risk Management to resolve issues and improve portfolio performance.
• Oversee third-party vendors including inspectors, architects, consultants, title companies, and disbursing agents and establish service-level expectations.
• Review and approve complex construction loan structures, draw exceptions, budget modifications, change orders, funding requests, and risk mitigation strategies within authority limits.
• Develop executive reporting, portfolio analytics, operational metrics, and dashboards for senior leadership and risk committees.
• Lead system enhancements, automation initiatives, workflow improvements, and process redesign efforts supporting scalability and operational efficiency.
• Lead departmental planning, staffing, performance management, and employee development initiatives.
• Establish quality control standards and ensure timely remediation of audit, compliance, and regulatory examination findings.
• Perform periodic site visits and portfolio reviews for higher-risk or complex projects as appropriate.
• Serve as the principal construction administration subject matter expert supporting strategic growth initiatives and new construction lending products.
• Ensure adherence to AML/BSA requirements, loan policy, operational procedures, audit procedures, business continuity requirements, information security standards, and all applicable banking regulations.
• Promote Seacoast Bank values, Code of Conduct, and a strong culture of accountability, partnership, and client service.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Banking, Construction Management, Real Estate, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive commercial construction lending or construction administration experience within regional or national banking institutions strongly preferred managing CRE and construction loan portfolios exceeding $1 billion preferred.
• 7+ years of leadership experience managing construction administration, loan operations, credit administration, or related banking teams.
• Strong understanding of commercial real estate construction lending, budgeting, inspections, draw administration, lien law, title insurance, and project risk management.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, controls, reporting and operational governance frameworks.
• Advanced analytical, project management, communication, and leadership skills.
• Executive-level presentation and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Teams and construction portfolio systems and reporting tools.