Director of Underwriting - Builder Finance

Job Description

Job Description

At LendingOne, we don’t just lend capital—we fuel opportunity. Headquartered in sunny Boca Raton, FL, with additional offices in Charlotte, NC and Great Neck, NY, we’ve funded over $8 billion in real estate capital and earned recognition as one of the Sun Sentinel’s Top Workplaces—four years running!

As a direct lender—not a broker or a bank—we specialize in loans for real estate investors

Our mission is powered by our values:

• Speed & Ease – We simplify lending so clients can move fast and seize opportunities.
• Solutions Driven – We solve problems, not just process paperwork.
• Loyal Partners – We build trust, not just transactions.
• Authentic Experience – We stay real, reliable, and respectful—always.

We’re a fully funded, full-service lending partner—and we’re growing fast.

The Opportunity:

As the Director of Underwriting - Builder Finance, you will be the subject matter expert for LendingOne’s Builder Finance platform. In this specialized role, you will underwrite complex builder finance transactions and help establish standards, workflows, credit guidelines and best practices that will allow the division to scale.

While working closely with Sales, Credit, Capital Markets, Closing, and Executive Leadership, you will structure loans, evaluate risk, and ensure consistent credit decisions. In addition, you will provide technical guidance to others within the Builder Finance Underwriting team, ensuring quality and consistency.

The ideal candidate has deep expertise in construction finance related to home builders with a strong understanding of budgeting, draw administration, project timelines, borrower risk evaluation, and construction-specific credit considerations. Successful candidates will have a proven track record underwriting builder finance transactions within fast-paced lending environments, while balancing growth objectives with disciplined credit risk management

This is a full-time, on-site opportunity based at our headquarters in Boca Raton, FL.

What You’ll Do:

• Act as the resident Underwriting expert for our Builder Finance division by underwriting complex transactions, credit analysis and lending recommendations. You will evaluate borrower financial strength, project feasibility, budget, construction schedules, collateral, guarantors and market risk.
• Structure transactions to balance risk while supporting business growth.
• Review exceptions and recommend appropriate credit solutions for various lending scenarios
• Develop, maintain and refine underwriting guidelines that align with scaling the builder finance product.
• Monitor market trends, construction risks, and industry best practices to provide reporting, potential issues and solutions to executive leadership
• Complete periodic loan reviews to ensure underwriting quality and consistency
• Partner with Sales, Closing, Processing, Draw Administration and Credit to streamline efficiencies in our loan process.
• Support technology enhancements and underwriting system improvements that increase efficiency and scalability.

Requirements

What You Bring:

To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to execute each essential duty at a high level. The qualifications below provide an overview of the role; additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree required; Finance, Business, Economics, Real Estate, or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of underwriting, credit risk, or real estate lending experience within new construction or builder finance loan types
• 3+ years of experience within new construction or builder finance, specifically residential single family/town home communities.
• You have a demonstrated ability to create efficient and scalable operations within the Builder Finance market
• Exceptional communication skills paired with an analytical mind - you are able to work effectively with various departments company wide to problem solve and achieve initiatives while understanding what it takes to mitigate risk within underwriting and credit for business purpose lending

Benefits

Why LendingOne:

• Competitive base salary and incentive structure
• Full medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Company-matching 401(k) plan
• Paid time off and 10 company-paid holidays
• Work-from-home Fridays
• Career development, training, and internal promotion opportunities
• Team-building events, company lunches, and swag
• Collaborative, inclusive, and fun workplace culture

LendingOne is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone belongs.