Director of Specialty Lending

CalPrivate Bank • Newport Beach, CA

1d

About The Position

At CalPrivate Bank, we believe banking is personal. We have deep roots in the communities we serve, and our client relationships are built on genuine care, thoughtful problem-solving, and unwavering integrity. Our solutions-based service, paired with best-in-class talent, sets us apart in the market, but it’s trust that defines who we are. It's our gold standard, the currency we trade in, and the foundation of every decision we make.

We’re looking for leaders who want more than a title. We’re looking for team players who want to make an impact. If you're driven to lead with purpose, ready to shape the future and have meaningful impact at a relationship-centered bank, CalPrivate Bank may be the place for you.

Your Opportunity: Director of Specialty Lending

The Director of Specialty Lending is responsible for designing, building, and leading the Bank’s specialty real estate lending platform. This role combines strategic program development, business origination, and technical lending expertise, with a strong focus on complex real estate transactions and fee-income generation through referral and brokerage networks.

The Director will establish a scalable specialty lending program, cultivate a robust referral ecosystem, and serve as a subject-matter expert supporting relationship managers and lending teams on sophisticated real estate opportunities. This position plays a critical role in expanding the Bank’s lending capabilities, diversifying revenue streams, and strengthening client relationships.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Real Estate, or a related field required; advanced degree or relevant certifications preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in commercial or specialty real estate lending, with demonstrated exposure to complex transactions.
• Proven success in building referral networks and generating fee income through brokerage or non-traditional lending models.
• Strong credit acumen with the ability to assess and structure sophisticated real estate deals.
• Experience training and advising lending or relationship management teams.
• Deep understanding of real estate markets, capital structures, and lending products.
• You lead with accountability, integrity, and consistency.
• You thrive in a collaborative environment where transparency and follow-through matter.
• You model professionalism, calm under pressure, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• You embrace data-driven decision-making while maintaining a client-first perspective.
• You embody CalPrivate’s culture, heart for client, excellence in service, and deep commitment to the Bank and its people.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement the Bank’s specialty lending strategy with an emphasis on real estate-backed lending and non-traditional or complex structures.
• Build the framework, policies, workflows, and referral model for a fee-based loan brokerage and referral program.
• Partner with Credit, Risk, Legal, and Operations to ensure program alignment with regulatory, underwriting, and compliance standards.
• Continuously evaluate market opportunities, competitive positioning, and product enhancements to evolve the specialty lending platform.
• Partner with leadership to embed service expectations into performance management, onboarding, and recognition programs
• Source, structure, and originate new specialty real estate loans, including complex and bespoke transactions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external referral partners such as mortgage brokers, developers, investors, private lenders, and industry professionals.
• Generate fee income through referral placements and loan brokerage opportunities that fall outside of the Bank’s balance sheet strategy.
• Collaborate with Relationship Managers to identify specialty lending opportunities within existing client portfolios.
• Serve as a senior advisor and subject-matter expert on complex real estate transactions generated by the lending and relationship management teams.
• Assist in structuring deals involving unique collateral, layered capital stacks, or non-standard borrower profiles.
• Support underwriting, pricing, and credit presentation for higher-complexity opportunities.
• Participate in client meetings and presentations for sophisticated lending transactions as needed.
• Develop and deliver training programs for relationship managers and lending staff on specialty lending products, deal identification, and referral strategies.
• Create toolkits, playbooks, and best practices to help teams confidently source and position specialty lending solutions.
• Act as an internal thought leader and ongoing resource for real estate lending expertise.
• Partner with Marketing and Business Development teams to promote the specialty lending program and referral capabilities.
• Foster strong internal alignment to ensure seamless client experiences from origination through execution.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director