Sr Credit Officer Community Development Lending & Investments (CDLI)

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Senior Credit Officer — Community Development Lending & Investments (CDLI)

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Credit Officer (SVP) to provide independent credit oversight approval authority and strategic leadership for our Community Development Lending & Investments (CDLI) platform. This role is accountable for credit decisions across affordable housing finance tax credit equity investments CDFI lending NMTC structures and other mission‑driven activities aligned with CRA and community impact objectives. The ideal candidate brings deep affordable housing and community development expertise strong risk judgment and the ability to navigate complex capital structures and regulatory expectations while supporting responsible business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Credit Decisioning & Independent Approval Authority

• Serve as the primary credit approval officer for community development loans and investments including affordable housing (LIHTC tax‑exempt bonds HUD structures new construction acquisition/rehab) construction loans LIHTC bridge loans term loans NMTC leveraged loans CDFI lines of credit credit card and ACH products.

• Approve LIHTC NMTC HTC and equivalent investments.

• Review and approve complex capital stacks layered financing and tax‑credit structures.

Portfolio Oversight Early Warning & Strategic Risk Management

• Lead oversight of portfolio performance credit trends concentrations and emerging risks.

• Manage payment/tax delinquency reviews weekly delinquency reporting monthly pipeline and maturities monitoring and monthly equity reporting.

• Oversee Internal WAR meetings PRSC reviews and quarterly syndicator reviews (RBC CREA BFIM NEF).

• Partner with RMs PMs Workout/CRM/MAD teams on remediation and downgrade strategies.

Policy Governance & Regulatory Alignment

• Ensure adherence to credit policies underwriting standards and documentation requirements.

• Respond to Credit Review exams resolve RERS recommendations and support OCC/FDIC/CRA compliance.

• Collaborate with CRE Credit on policy development and coverage support.

Leadership Collaboration & Credit Culture

• Serve as CDLI credit SME.

• Partner with Debt and Equity teams on structure terms and credit strategy.

• Promote underwriting rigor and mentor junior credit staff.

• Represent Credit in senior forums committees and strategic working groups.

Strategic & Market Engagement

• Stay current on legislation regulatory updates and market changes in affordable housing LIHTC/NMTC and CDFI finance.

• Engage with external groups such as the Affordable Housing Investors Council and major syndicators.

• Support new product evaluation and mission‑aligned growth strategies.

Qualifications

• 12–15+ years credit risk lending or underwriting experience with affordable housing/community development expertise or related CRE experience

• Expertise in LIHTC NMTC HTC CDFI lending and structured finance.

• Strong understanding of CRA OCC and FDIC regulatory expectations.

• Demonstrated independent authority on complex transactions.

• Excellent analytical communication and executive presentation skills.

• Bachelor’s required; advanced degree preferred.

Success Measures

• High‑quality timely credit decisions.

• Strong portfolio performance and early risk mitigation.

• Positive regulatory/audit outcomes.

• Strong cross‑functional partnerships.

• Responsible CRA‑aligned portfolio growth.

Hours & Work Schedule

• Hours per Week: 40
• Work Schedule: M-F

Pay Transparency 

The salary range for this position is $200000- $215000 per year plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the work location and relevant skills and experience.

We offer competitive pay comprehensive medical dental and vision coverage retirement benefits maternity/paternity leave flexible work arrangements education reimbursement wellness programs and more. Note Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits visit https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits .

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Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens its parent subsidiaries and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age ancestry color citizenship physical or mental disability perceived disability or history or record of a disability ethnicity gender gender identity or expression genetic information genetic characteristic marital or domestic partner status victim of domestic violence family status/parenthood medical condition military or veteran status national origin pregnancy/childbirth/lactation colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making race religion sex sexual orientation or any other category protected by federal state and/or local laws. At Citizens we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit qualifications performance and capability.

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Background Check

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the candidate successfully passing a background check which may include initial credit motor vehicle record public record prior employment verification and criminal background checks. Results of the background check are individually reviewed based upon legal requirements imposed by our regulators and with consideration of the nature and gravity of the background history and the job offered. Any offer of employment will include further information.

What We Do

As one of the oldest and largest financial services firms in the United States with a history dating back to 1828 we’re committed to providing solutions and expertise that support our customers clients colleagues and communities in what’s next on their own unique journey. We invest in the humans who build the logic ideas and innovations that bring new technologies to life. Investments in AI cloud computing machine learning and automation provide our engineers the tools that enable us to remain competitive and win in today’s environment. At Citizens we recognize that the journey to accomplishment is no longer linear and that individuals are made of all they have done and all they are going to do. Whether you’re considering banking with us or looking to work with us you’ll find a customer-centric culture and a supportive collaborative workforce at Citizens. You’re made ready and so are we. If you're ready to advance your career in technology and security learn more about opportunity's Citizens offers here: https://jobs.citizensbank.com/digital-transformation

Why Work With Us

We empower the colleagues that power our tech. With growth & upskilling opportunities and sought-after benefits plus a diverse culture of people and perspectives we help our colleagues achieve career goals. Because innovation can’t happen without the minds and hearts of our people. Technology is constantly evolving and we believe you can too.

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