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: High $100Ks – Low $200Ks
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