GENERAL SUMMARYThe Chief Lending Officer (CLO) reports to the Executive Director/CEO and serves on Housing New Mexico's management team and Policy Committee. The CLO leads the Lending Division, including Homeownership, Housing Development, Information Technology, and Secondary Market, to expand access to affordable single-family and multifamily housing throughout New Mexico. The CLO is accountable for division strategy, program performance, prudent lending practices, operational effectiveness, and staff development. In partnership with the Chief Financial Officer and other leaders, the CLO aligns lending activity with available funding, financial sustainability, and Housing New Mexico's public mission.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESThe intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
- Lead and develop department leaders and staff. Establish priorities and performance expectations; allocate resources; evaluate results; support training and succession planning; and make hiring, disciplinary, and termination recommendations consistent with Housing New Mexico policy.
- Set and execute the Lending Division's contribution to the organization's strategic plan. Recommend budgets, policies, and program priorities that advance affordable housing while maintaining financial discipline and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, investor requirements, and organization standards.
- Oversee affordable housing lending programs from design through implementation and evaluation. Assess housing needs, market conditions, and barriers to participation; recommend program changes that improve access, affordability, and service across urban, rural, and Tribal communities.
- Oversee financing of preservation, rehabilitation, new construction, of affordable housing developments within the division's responsibilities. Establish consistent underwriting and feasibility review practices, evaluate financial and credit risks, and recommend transactions or policy exceptions within delegated authority and escalate material risks promptly.
- Represent Housing New Mexico with the Board of Directors, lenders, developers, underwriters, attorneys, financial advisors, trustees, auditors, rating agencies, legislators, and public agencies. Maintain productive partnerships. Present information to internal and external groups to inform and advocate for Housing New Mexico's programs and mission.
- Oversee departments and efficient daily operations, including pipeline management, loan acquisition, closing and settlement, documentation, quality control, and system integrity. Maintain internal controls, monitor service standards, and resolve operational issues. Through Information Technology leadership, oversee reliable systems, data protection, cybersecurity risk management, organization wide technological support, and business continuity.
- Coordinate with the Chief Financial Officer on funding strategies and executions, secondary market activity, settlement, and the financial impacts of single-family and multifamily production. Evaluate funding availability, liquidity needs, pricing, and market exposure; recommend actions consistent with approved policies.
- Oversee use of federal and state funding awarded to Housing New Mexico for the Lending division. Ensure effective administration, contract performance, timely reporting, and compliance with funding requirements.
- Lead business development and outreach for Housing Development and Homeownership. Coordinate with marketing staff and engage mortgage lenders, real estate professionals, developers, and community partners to expand effective participation in Housing New Mexico programs.
- Establish and report performance measures tied to the strategic plan, including production, households served, affordability outcomes, geographic reach, processing times, credit quality, and budget results. Review trends against targets and relevant benchmarks; implement corrective action and communicate results through management to the Board.
- Serve on the Policy Committee and participate in internal and external committees and strategic initiatives. Coordinate across divisions on policy development, audit findings, risk mitigation, and improvements that affect agency operations.
- Maintain a safe, respectful work environment and ensure staff follow applicable safety policies, procedures, and protocols.
- Perform other related duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.
- Ensure Employees comply with safety regulations, procedures, and protocols.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEducation and ExperienceBachelor's degree required, preferably in finance, business administration, or a related field. At least ten years of experience in lending, mortgage banking, and/or secondary marketing are required. Affordable housing and multifamily finance experience is preferred. Management experience required, including responsibility for staff performance and operational results.
Conditions of Employment- Valid New Mexico driver's license
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES- Lead, coach, supervise, and evaluate staff and department leaders.
- Translate Housing New Mexico strategy into clear priorities, decisions, and measurable results.
- Develop and manage budgets and allocate staff and financial resources effectively.
- Manage complex projects, competing priorities, and organizational change.
- Apply critical thinking, financial analysis, and sound judgment to complex lending and operational issues.
- Use business and lending systems and oversee technology priorities, data quality, and operational controls.
- Evaluate industry practices and adapt them to the mission and responsibilities of Housing New Mexico.
- Adapt to changing market conditions, program requirements, and organizational priorities.
- Exercise independent judgment within delegated authority and recognize when escalation is required.
- Interpret data, identify emerging risks, and use findings to improve decisions and performance.
- Interpret and apply lending standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory and investor requirements.
- Prepare clear reports, policies, procedures, correspondence, and presentations.
- Explain complex financial and policy matters to the Board, staff, and external stakeholders.
- Build constructive working relationships, negotiate effectively, and resolve competing interests.
- Understand federal housing programs, affordable housing financing structures, and credit enhancements.
- Understand applicable program requirements of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, FHA, HUD, USDA Rural Housing Service, and VA.
- Understand mortgage markets and the loan lifecycle, including origination, underwriting, processing, closing, securitization, and funding.
- Evaluate creditworthiness, financial projections, underwriting assumptions, and development feasibility for single-family and multifamily housing.
- Assess how lending practices, pricing, and market changes affect program access, risk, and financial sustainability.
- Balance housing outcomes, customer service, prudent risk management, and agency resources.
CORE EXPECTATIONS- Provide Exceptional Customer Service to internal and external customers 100% of the time.
- Demonstrate a positive attitude
- Demonstrate respectful behavior
- Foster teamwork and collaboration
- Exhibit honesty and integrity in communications and actions
- Take initiative
- Dependable, Reliable, Adaptable and Productive
- Strive to become the subject matter expert in your position
Supervisors:- Practice and uphold established Leadership Values
- Set clear goals and expectations to hold staff accountable
- Assume responsibility and hold yourself-accountable for the overall performance of your department
- Provide timely follow-up/response(s)
WORK ENVIRONMENTThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed in a standard office or indoor environment. Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions; however, employees may be exposed to minor inconveniences such as occasional noise, exposure to computer screens, crowded working conditions, and/or minor heating, cooling or ventilation problems.
Employees in the position may be exposed to rude/irate customers, or other individuals.
PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Performing the essential functions typically requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly.
The work frequently involves walking, driving, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, climbing, balancing, pushing, pulling, lifting.
