Director, School Lending and Underwriting

The Opportunity

The Director, School Lending and Underwriting will play a critical role in EFF's efforts to ensure that every high-impact charter school serving historically marginalized communities has a pathway to affordable financing. Reporting to the Partner and Principal, School Investments, the Director will manage the lending process and develop investment recommendations that adeptly balance credit quality and impact while supporting the growth of the loan portfolio. The Director will also lead cross-functional and special projects that advance the Underwriting team and the broader organization.

The ideal candidate will enjoy entrepreneurial, multifaceted work, relationship-building, and relentless problem-solving, and possess expertise in mission-driven lending and investing with specific experience working with charter schools.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Deal Analysis and Underwriting: Manage the structuring, underwriting, and preparation of 10-12 transactions annually for Credit Committee approval. Conduct comprehensive credit analysis, lead each transaction through the underwriting process, and delegate deal-specific responsibilities to associates. Collaborate closely with other Directors and Vice Presidents across the Underwriting team to ensure rigorous, consistent, and efficient execution.
• Process and Relationship Management: Serving as key point of contact for schools throughout the underwriting process and interfacing with EFF's Lending and School Outreach and Asset Management teams to ensure all school borrowers (new and repeat) have a positive experience. The Director will also build deep underwriting expertise and sector knowledge in 3-5 key geographic markets, leading deals there, including interacting with local intermediaries and stakeholders.
• Systems Development: Leading the ongoing development and refinement of systems and procedures, including the use of AI, to optimize EFF's lending practice.
• Organizational Excellence: Participating in organizational and cross-functional team-building, strategic planning, and goal-setting processes.
• Special Projects: Depending on skills and interests, lead and support special projects designed to advance EFF's mission and efforts to serve more schools, including representing EFF at conferences and on panels.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of relevant professional experience in CDFI lending, commercial lending, investment banking, charter school financial management, impact investing, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, or a related field.
• Unwavering commitment to EFF's mission to address educational, financial, and racial inequities.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through professional, investment, academic, or community experience. Examples may include work with a CDFI, affordable housing developer, credit union, social impact fund, foundation PRI program, university impact investing initiative, nonprofit organization, or nonprofit board or committee.
• Experience conducting financial, operational, and programmatic due diligence of charter schools.
• Demonstrated ability to manage team members and complex workflows.
• Exceptional quantitative and financial analysis skills, including the ability to develop and assess financial models as needed.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong, creative problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt and pivot in support of a growing organization.
• Customer-service orientation and demonstrated ability to collaborate across functional teams.
• High degree of integrity and authenticity, complemented by a good sense of humor.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25%-35% of the time.

Compensation and Benefits

The target salary band for this position is $120,500 - $156,700; however we expect to bring someone into this role at the midpoint ($138,603) with eventual upside to align with our compensation practices. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity. This position offers up to a 10% annual bonus based on organizational performance, and we are proud to offer excellent benefits, including unlimited PTO and a 6% 401k match.

Location

We welcome applicants from across the continental U.S. The role will require travel 6+ days most months to participate in team activities, conduct school site visits, and represent EFF at statewide, regional, or national conferences and convenings.