Director of Rural Lending

Job Description

Director of Rural Lending

Lead Growth. Build Something Bigger. Shape the Future of Rural Finance.

Farm Credit of Northwest Florida is seeking a visionary and results-driven leader to serve as our Director of Rural Lending, a high-impact, highly visible leader responsible for leading one of the Association's key growth initiatives and driving the continued growth and performance of the rural lending business.

Reporting directly to the Chief Lending Officer, this role is responsible for executing the Association's rural lending growth strategy through business development, team leadership, product expansion, and operational excellence.

If you're a proven lending leader with deep expertise in real estate, consumer, and term lending, as well as secondary mortgage market programs, who thrives on business development, building and retaining high-performing teams, cultivating strategic partnerships, and creating new revenue opportunities, we want to talk with you.

Why This Role Matters

This is more than a lending management position. As Director of Rural Lending, you'll serve as a strategic leader for our home, home construction, land, and rural property lending portfolio and as the Association's trusted subject matter expert for consumer lending and secondary mortgage market programs, investor requirements, and servicing operations. While initially focused on rural residential and consumer lending, this role will play a key role in growing home lending volume, expanding secondary mortgage market opportunities, and developing lender expertise to increase utilization of existing and future financing solutions.

You'll work closely with the Chief Lending Officer and other leaders to influence and execute strategic growth initiatives, strengthen organizational capabilities, and support the continued success of the rural lending business. In doing so, you'll make a lasting impact on an organization committed to growth and rural prosperity.

Scope: As a key member of the lending management team, this position is accountable for the performance, growth, and development of the Association's rural lending business line while partnering closely with the Chief Lending Officer on strategic priorities.

What You'll Do

Drive Strategic Growth

• Lead profitable growth across home, construction, land, and rural property lending products
• Identify and execute opportunities for market expansion
• Develop strategies that increase market share and customer engagement
• Partner with executive leadership to shape and execute long-term growth initiatives
• Leverage technology, data, and market insights to identify growth opportunities and enhance business performance
• Drive growth in home lending volume and secondary mortgage market activities while increasing utilization of existing Farm Credit lending solutions

Build Revenue & Business Partnerships

• Create and expand fee-income and non-interest income opportunities
• Cultivate relationships with investors, referral partners, and industry stakeholders
• Strengthen partnerships with realtors, builders, real estate agents, and community leaders
• Develop sustainable pipelines that support continued growth across the Association's territory

Lead & Develop Talent

• Develop, recruit, coach and retain a highly engaged and high-performing lending team with strong customer service, production, and leadership capabilities while building organizational capacity for future growth
• Build on the established culture of accountability, collaboration, and customer excellence
• Further strengthen team capability and confidence to enhance results and maximize individual and organizational goals

Optimize Lending Operations

• Serve as the Association's subject matter expert for consumer and construction lending, secondary mortgage market programs, investor requirements, and loan servicing operations
• Provide leadership and guidance on consumer lending products, secondary market requirements, and industry best practices
• Monitor investor, regulatory, and industry developments to maintain competitive and compliant lending programs
• Oversee secondary mortgage market programs and servicing relationships
• Ensure compliance with investor requirements, servicing standards, and operational best practices
• Maintain compliant, efficient, and scalable lending processes that support growth while meeting investor and regulatory expectations
• Champion the adoption and effective use of technology, data, and digital lending tools to enhance the customer experience, improve efficiency, and support scalable growth

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate combines strategic vision with strong execution and relationship-building skills.

Qualifications include:

• Leadership experience within a sales-focused lending environment
• Extensive experience with consumer lending, secondary mortgage market programs, investor requirements, MERS, loan servicing operations, and related regulations
• Demonstrated expertise interpreting and applying investor guidelines, advising lending teams, and serving as a subject matter expert on consumer lending and secondary market matters
• Strong knowledge of residential mortgage, construction, rural property, land, consumer, and other rural lending products, with the versatility to expand expertise as business needs evolve
• Proven success developing and coaching teams, and driving business growth
• Exceptional relationship management and business development abilities
• Demonstrated ability to leverage technology, data, and digital tools to enhance business performance, customer experience, and operational efficiency
• Farm Credit System experience preferred
• A genuine passion for serving rural communities and helping customers achieve their goals

Location

This position is based in our Western Region, currently located in Milton, Florida, and transitioning to a new facility in Pace, Florida, reflecting our continued growth and long-term investment in the region.

Why Northwest Florida?

Imagine building a successful career in one of the most desirable regions in the Southeast.

Northwest Florida offers an unmatched blend of professional opportunity and quality of life:
• No state personal income tax
• Beautiful Gulf Coast beaches and emerald waters
• Exceptional freshwater and offshore fishing
• Outstanding hunting and outdoor recreation
• Boating, kayaking, and waterfront living
• Affordable land ownership and rural lifestyle opportunities
• Growing communities and expanding housing markets
• Easy access to Pensacola, Destin, 30A, Panama City Beach, and Tallahassee
• Year-round outdoor lifestyle and mild climate

Whether your passion is land ownership, agriculture, boating, fishing, hunting, or simply enjoying the outdoors, Northwest Florida provides the lifestyle many people are searching for but few places can offer.

Join Us

At Farm Credit of Northwest Florida, you'll have the opportunity to lead a growing business line, influence organizational strategy, develop talented professionals, and help strengthen the rural communities we proudly serve.

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus incentive compensation.

Comprehensive benefits package includes up to a 9% employer contribution to the 401(k) plan.

Bilingual Spanish proficiency is a plus.

Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Visit https://www.farmcredit-fl.com/about/careers to explore Farm Credit of Northwest Florida's employee benefits.

Ready to make an impact? We'd love to connect.