Director of Lending

Background

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

National Housing Trust (NHT) has been dedicated to creating and preserving affordable housing for almost 40 years. Our mission is to create and preserve affordable homes to provide opportunity, advance racial equity, reduce economic disparities, and strengthen community resilience through our integrated policy-plus-practice approach. We build, preserve, and finance affordable housing and use that expertise to inform and advance resident-focused solutions to strengthen the broader affordable housing industry.

NHT has a staff of 50+ across five program areas: Policy, Lending, Real Estate Development, Community Outreach and Impact, and Energy Solutions. Our hallmark is our cross-functional, integrated approach to innovating, demonstrating, and amplifying solutions to the affordable housing crisis in the U.S.

ABOUT NHT LENDING

NHT’s lending practice is made up of two Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI): the National Housing Trust Community Development Fund (NHTCDF) and the Institute for Community Economics (ICE). NHT Lending is committed to providing access to flexible financing for the preservation and creation of affordable housing around the country. Through our unique lending practice, capital is accessible to a broad range of borrowers including non-profit and for-profit owners and developers, Community Land Trusts, and limited-equity housing cooperatives. We offer a full array of loan products in the Washington metropolitan region and specific products in other markets nationwide.

We focus on expanding access to capital to underserved markets, including emerging and/or BIPOC developers and owners. We understand the role that housing plays in stabilizing individuals and families, most of who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color, and the role of systemic racism in our current housing crisis.

Summary

The Director of Lending oversees NHT’s loan deployment, lending operations, and cultivating strategic partnerships. This role involves close collaboration with the entire lending team in accomplishing these goals. The Director will oversee and manage the loan in part by building and maintaining strong relationships with borrowers, lending partners, and technical assistance providers. The Director of Lending will collaborate with team members, to raise lending capital from mission-oriented investors, including grant writing and maintaining funder relationships. Reporting to the Senior Director of Lending and Investments, the Director of Lending will creatively use their extensive knowledge of financial tools and structures to propose and implement new lending products and initiatives, often in collaboration with external government or non-profit partners tailored to meet evolving client needs.

This position is DC-based and qualifies for a hybrid work schedule, working a minimum of two days per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) at NHT’s corporate office.

Responsibilities

LOAN UNDERWRITING & ORIGINATIONS

The Director of Lending will lead the evaluation of the credit worthiness and capabilities of the borrower/guarantor and/or the real estate collateral securing the proposed loan. Specific activities include:

· Oversee daily lending activities.

· Manage lending team which currently consists of a Senior Loan Officer, Loan Officer, Loan Analyst and Lending Intern

· Conduct thorough analysis of all aspects of loan underwriting such as appraisal reviews, construction cost reviews, property condition reports, environmental reports, and site inspections.

· Produce financial analysis of both for-profit and non-profit sponsors and/or borrowers.

· Determine loan structure and terms and seeking approvals for loans.

· Create, pilot, and implement new loan products and initiatives that meet the changing needs of our client base in both the DMV and national markets.

ASSET MANAGEMENT

The Director of Lending will work on the closing and asset management of loans in cooperation with the Asset Management team. Specific activities include:

· Underwriting loan extensions and modifications

· Managing and approving borrower draw requests

MARKETING/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

This role will help increase the visibility of NHT’s CDFI Loan Funds by leading marketing, business development, and product development, and will be expected to build new lending relationships.

INTERNAL OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT

· Oversee governance of NHTCDF and ICE Loan Committees

· Review, update, and ensure adherence to NHT’s Lending Policies and Procedures.

· Implement and refine internal processes and procedures to reach maximum efficiency and ensure the needs of all team members, clients, and partners are met.

Requirements

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?

This is a fantastic opportunity for an affordable housing finance champion with at least 7 years of experience in real estate or business lending, including credit analysis, and at least 4 years of experience working in affordable housing finance. Candidates will ideally have experience working at a CDFI.

Other qualifications include:

· Commitment to NHT’s mission, including a deep dedication to assisting low-income and BIPOC communities to create and access opportunities to thrive.

· Proficiency in analyzing financials of nonprofit and for-profit organizations and real estate operations.

· Firm grasp on risk inherent in real estate development and/or financing.

· Knowledge of the Washington DC, Seattle and/or Nashville housing markets will be especially beneficial.

· Experience in affordable homeownership a plus.

· Familiarity with federal, state, and local government funding sources for capital and operating needs of affordable housing.

· Ability to travel on a frequent basis (~10% of time).

· Excellent interpersonal and organizational communication skills, including verbal and written.

· Ability to integrate thoroughness and attention to detail with a big picture, strategic vision.

· High collaborative work ethic.

· Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, finance, real estate, urban planning) required. A graduate degree is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

COMPENSATION

Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $115,670 to $154,240. For further details on the benefits available, please refer to, NHT’s Summary of Benefits for 2024.

How to Apply

JOIN US

Apply for This Job. No phone calls, please.

NHT is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all our employment programs and decisions, including, but not limited to recruitment and hiring. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, matriculation, genetic information, covered veteran’s status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. BIPOC applicants, women, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.