Commercial Real Estate Lender

Senior Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Lender Location: Phoenix, AZ Overview Our client is seeking a Senior Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Lender to join its growing Phoenix-based platform. This role will be responsible for managing an existing portfolio while originating new business across Arizona and select regional markets (including New Mexico and Central California). This is a high-impact role driven by recent portfolio growth and upcoming retirements within the team. The ideal candidate will bring strong market relationships, proven production, and the ability to step into a leadership position within the CRE group. Key Responsibilities Manage and grow an existing CRE loan portfolio (estimated $500MM+ commitments) Originate new CRE loans through established sponsor and broker relationships Cover Phoenix primary market , with support/coverage in Albuquerque and Central California Partner with internal C&I bankers to source cross-market opportunities Structure, negotiate, and execute transactions in alignment with bank credit standards Maintain strong client relationships and drive deposit growth alongside lending activity Collaborate with underwriting, portfolio management, and credit teams through full deal lifecycle Product Focus / Lending Parameters Typical deal size: $15MM+ (with flexibility up to ~$80–90MM) Asset classes include: Industrial Multifamily Retail / Mixed-use Hospitality (selectively) Senior housing (limited / opportunistic) Recourse lending model (standard across platform) Limited burn-down structures possible; non-recourse is rare Credit & Platform Centralized credit approval through senior loan committee Stable, predictable credit culture with clearly defined parameters Dedicated support: Local and national underwriting team Distributed portfolio management team Strong emphasis on deposit relationships tied to lending activity Production Expectations Team production target: ~ $300MM annually (Phoenix office) Individual expectations aligned with senior-level originators Balanced focus on portfolio management + new origination Qualifications 8–15+ years of CRE lending experience (bank platform preferred) Established Phoenix / Southwest market relationships Proven track record of originating $75MM–$150MM+ annually Strong understanding of credit, structuring, and risk management Experience working within a recourse lending environment preferred Ability to source deposits alongside lending relationships Compensation Base Salary: BOE Bonus: Up to ~45% of base (with additional upside via stretch goals) Equity: ~ 15% stock component (in addition to bonus) Total compensation highly competitive with top bank platforms Why Them Stable credit culture with minimal surprises Consistent lending appetite across market cycles Strong balance sheet and conservative deposit strategy Established platform with growth from recent acquisitions Opportunity to step into a senior role with immediate impact and future team build-out #J-18808-Ljbffr Gilder Search Group