The Director of Operations will serve as the operational leader and key partner to the Founder, owning servicing and operations end-to-end while building the infrastructure needed to scale.
This is a hands-on, build-stage role focused on designing and implementing systems, workflows, and controls across the full loan lifecycle, then scaling through team development.
Key Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end operational execution across the loan lifecycle, including underwriting coordination, processing, closings, servicing, and portfolio oversight
- Serve as the operational backbone of the business, ensuring speed, consistency, and execution quality
- Replace founder dependency with structured processes, clear decision rights, and accountability frameworks
- Design and scale the firm’s operating infrastructure, including systems, workflows, controls, and SOPs
- Identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and risks—and implement solutions proactively
- Build reporting and analytics to drive visibility into performance, portfolio health, and risk exposure
- Oversee underwriting via portfolio metrics, stepping into complex or exception-based deals as needed
- Partner with originations to improve loan flow and enhance borrower and broker experience
- Hire, develop, and lead a high-performing operations team, including outsourced resources
- Support the evolution to a fund-based structure, including investor reporting and operational requirements
Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience in private lending, mortgage banking, commercial lending, private credit, or similar, with progressive operations leadership responsibility
- Proven track record of building and scaling operational infrastructure in a growth-stage environment
- Deep understanding of lending operations, including servicing, processing, underwriting, and loan lifecycle management
- Hands-on leadership style with the ability to execute in a lean, build-stage environment
- Ability to underwrite loans and manage complex or exception-based credit scenarios
- Strong operational judgment with the ability to assess and mitigate risk
- Experience in founder-led or high-growth environments preferred
- Familiarity with fund structures or institutional capital environments is a plus
- Entrepreneurial, adaptable, and comfortable with ambiguity
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (or equivalent experience)