Senior Lead Credit Risk & Approval Officer

About this role:
Wells Fargo is seeking a Senior Lead Credit Risk & Approval Officer in our Commercial Real-estate space to join our Risk team covering Multifamily Capital.
A successful candidate will leverage their experience and knowledge of risk management, business functions, products, and services to provide independent, holistic credit leadership and oversight of the business. This role will provide business loss forecasting as well as reporting for both quarterly business review and relationship concentration. They will monitor and review loan underwriting and portfolio management performance, analyze new business prospects, and support strategic initiatives of the relevant business lines. The role may regularly assist in presenting to senior management on the credit risk position of the business.
The Credit Officer will provide credit oversight for a business unit financing multifamily, senior housing, affordable housing, manufactured housing, student housing, and co-op properties through balance sheet, FNMA, FHLMC (Freddie Mac), and FHA agency products. This individual balances commercial judgment with disciplined risk management to protect portfolio quality while supporting business growth across the covered geographies.
Scope of Coverage includes screening, underwriting, portfolio management, CRE reporting, policy, relationship management with delegated-authority partners, staff management, credit process administration, and ad hoc projects.
This role will report directly to Credit Risk & Approval Director.
In this role, you will:
Credit Risk & Approval
Serve as a key participant in monitoring and reviewing loans, underwriting, and portfolio management performance for Credit Risk & Approval.
Provide in-depth evaluation of structuring, pricing, and documentation across complex, large-scale, and longer-term transactions.
Maintain credit quality and portfolio health through timely, well-reasoned credit decisions, recommendations, and approvals.
Identify and recommend opportunities to approve loans, and partner on structuring, pricing, and documentation for larger transactions.
Bring appropriate internal and external team members into the deal approval process as needed.
Portfolio Management & Reporting
Identify and manage portfolio trends, risks, and concentrations.
Ensure timely, accurate portfolio monitoring and reporting, risk-rating and grading changes/certifications, problem loan management, and non-accrual/loss identification and forecasting.
Support business units in preparing for and achieving satisfactory examination outcomes from audits and other regulatory or internal reviewers.
Leadership & Culture
Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives with broad organizational impact.
Reinforce Wells Fargo's credit culture and strengthen team member engagement across the business platform.
Train and develop team members to build a strong, diverse leadership pipeline at all levels.
Manage staff and administer credit processes for the business unit, including screening, underwriting, portfolio management, and CRE reporting.
Business & Market Engagement
Provide a commercial perspective that balances market realities with appropriate risk management.
Play an active role in customer relationships by attending customer meetings.
Build market expertise by engaging with the local real estate community and relevant industry organizations.
Collaborate with peers, colleagues, and managers to resolve issues and achieve shared goals; interact regularly with internal and external stakeholders.
Judgment & Decision-Making
Analyze complex, multi-faceted business, operational, and technical challenges independently.
Exercise independent judgment on structuring, pricing, and risk decisions while developing deep functional knowledge of policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
Receive direction from leadership on strategic priorities while operating with a high degree of autonomy day-to-day.
Required Qualifications:
7+ years of Credit Risk & Approval experience or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
Desired Qualifications:
Extensive commercial real estate lending experience highly desired
Existing knowledge of GSE multifamily lending products (FNMA, FMAC and FHA).
Existing knowledge of affordable housing and associated tax credits (Low Income Housing Tax Credit Investments).
Prior real estate loan workout experience.
Proven knowledge of the commercial real estate capital markets industry as well as related products and services.
Deep understanding of Wells Fargo’s Commercial Real Estate (CRE) lending philosophy and credit culture.
Confirmed ability to be a thought leader in a large matrix organization.
Consistent success in making sound business, credit decisions and ability to ensure team member alignment with business strategies and risk appetite.
Demonstrated success making deals and building relationships.
Proven success developing, growing, and grooming future Wells Fargo business leaders.
Proven ability to work independently and across various LOB in challenging work environments and time frames.
Existing knowledge of / experience in the local markets and or business units a plus.
Job Expectations:
This position offers a hybrid work schedule.
Willingness to work onsite at stated location on the job posting.
This position is not eligible for VISA sponsorship.
This position is subject to FINRA Background Screening Requirements, including successful completion and clearing of a background check. Internal transfers are subject to comply with 17 CFR 240.17f-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and FINRA Bylaws, Article III, Section 3, which states that Associated Persons should not be subject to statutory disqualification. Successful candidates must also meet ongoing regulatory requirements including additional screening and are required to report certain incidents.
Specific compliance policies may apply regarding outside activities and/or personal investing; affected employees will be expected to provide information to the Wells Fargo Personal Account Dealing Team and abide by applicable policy requirements if hired. Information will be shared about expectations during the recruitment process
Posting Location:
150 E 42nd, New York, NY
Pay Range
Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.
$215,000.00 - $355,000.00
Benefits
Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.
Health benefits
401(k) Plan
Paid time off
Disability benefits
Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
Parental leave
Critical caregiving leave
Discounts and savings
Commuter benefits
Tuition reimbursement
Scholarships for dependent children
Adoption reimbursement
Posting End Date:
4 Oct 2026
*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
We Value Equal Opportunity
Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective