Senior Director of Credit

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The Senior Director of Credit leads a team responsible for the underwriting of investment opportunities, managing risk, and ensuring strategies align with DLP’s risk/return profile. This role provides market and product expertise, advises the origination and relationship management teams, and helps develop solutions that balance business goals with risk management. Communication spans senior leaders, investors, brokers, and committees to drive growth of the Community lending platform.

Responsibilities further encompass general credit authority up to an authority level determined by the CEO for all loans, regardless of product type or asset class. Support will be given in areas where organization and efficiency would streamline operations, including but not limited to documentation provided to leverage facilities on behalf of DLP. The day‑to‑day management of all individuals within the Credit & Underwriting department also falls within the purview of this role.

• 15+ years of CRE credit, underwriting, and risk leadership across private credit, private equity real estate, or commercial lending, with a track record executing complex $10M–$100M construction, bridge, value‑add, and development deals.
• Expert in credit risk, financial modeling, structuring, and sponsor/market analysis, with deep knowledge of capital stacks (senior, mezz, pref) and construction risk, and the ability to set credit strategy, frameworks, and policies.
• Proven people leader with experience building and developing high‑performing underwriting and credit teams, driving operational excellence, and collaborating cross‑functionally with originations, portfolio management, legal, and capital markets.
• Exceptional judgment and decision‑making, capable of balancing disciplined risk management with growth goals, confidently presenting recommendations to senior leadership and Investment Committees.
• Strong cultural alignment with DLP’s core values—Prepared To Win, grit, stewardship, 20 Mile March and commitment to DLP’s mission of Transforming Lives by building thriving communities.

• Responsible for the development, implementation and training of all credit analysis tools utilized across the lending business. Works with other lending leaders to ensure consistent application across the business.
• In consultation with other lending leaders/stakeholders, develop and maintain the credit guidelines of the firm; always looking to changes in the market to ensure that the business is appropriately shifting in response to new opportunities and risks.
• Develop and maintain learning curriculum for his own team, and the relationship management team; drive the development of risk management and skills across the lending business.
• Create a culture of execution and accountability, with a willingness to go above and beyond.
• Manage Debt placement for take out financing.
• Review appraisals and confirm valuations align with investment strategy of the deal.
• Complete and/or review approval memo based on completed sponsor loan package, appraisal analysis and capex review. Submit to Credit Committee for review and loan approval.
• Ensure division‑wide SOPs are in place for all processes and procedures, and that these SOPs are maintained and updated regularly, and adhered to by all team members.
• Maintain a high level of expertise in all DLP Lending products and procedures, including sales programs and guidelines, operational standards, and construction underwriting.
• Dedicate time to site visits; direct borrower interaction, focusing on Elite Members; ensure that a senior member of the credit team performs site visits during the underwriting process.
• Attendance; engagement at all Elite events, prioritizing Elite Member engagement and relationship cultivation.
• Engage team members quarterly to assist in designing S.M.A.R.T. Rocks;
  Milestones.

• Making an impact. Whether it’s the residents who call our Thriving Communities home, the investors who trust us to be stewards of their capital, or the sponsors we work with to 10x their…