Commercial Underwriter
Gradient Mortgage Capital, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Department/Group:
Gradient Mortgage Capital LLC/Operations
Job Title:
Commercial Underwriter
Location:
Hybrid (Office/Remote) South FL
Travel Required:
None
Job Status:
Exempt
Position Type:
Full‑Time, Regular
Work Schedule:
Monday-Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM ET
Reports To:
SVP Underwriting/Head of Credit
Summary The Commercial Underwriter is responsible for evaluating, structuring, and decisioning Small Balance Commercial Real Estate (SBCRE) loan requests with a high degree of precision, consistency, and sound credit judgment. This role requires hands‑on experience underwriting small balance commercial loans, as the complexity and nuance of this market demand a deep understanding of borrower profiles, property types, cash‑flow analysis, and SBCRE‑specific risk drivers.
The Underwriter performs comprehensive credit analysis of borrowers and guarantors, conducts detailed collateral and market reviews, and applies informed judgment within established credit guidelines. Reporting directly to the Head of Credit, this role plays a critical part in maintaining credit quality while supporting the company’s production and growth objectives. The ideal candidate is analytical, detail‑oriented, and capable of operating independently in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Analyze borrower and guarantor financials, including tax returns, income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and projections, with a focus on small balance commercial transactions
Assess borrower and guarantor creditworthiness using credit reports, third‑party data, and relevant industry benchmarks
Evaluate real estate collateral by reviewing appraisals, environmental reports, market studies, rent rolls, operating statements, and title documentation to identify and mitigate risk
Structure and recommend loan terms and conditions, including pricing, leverage, and covenants, that appropriately balance risk and business objectives
Exercise sound judgment in nuanced or gray‑area credit decisions common in SBC lending, clearly articulating rationale and mitigating factors
Prepare clear, well‑documented underwriting narratives and credit memoranda that accurately reflect risk analysis, conclusions, and recommendations
Maintain accurate, complete, and timely records in the loan origination system (LOS) and CRM
Ensure underwriting decisions comply with internal credit policies, regulatory requirements, and fair lending standards
Collaborate with sales, operations, closing, and third‑party vendors to obtain required information and support an efficient end‑to‑end loan process
Contribute toward quarterly production goals and participate in periodic pipeline, production, and credit review meetings
Participate in weekly one‑on‑one meetings and broader underwriting and production initiatives
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management
Required Qualifications and Skills
Demonstrated experience underwriting Small Balance Commercial Real Estate loans; investor residential or DSCR experience is a plus but not a substitute
Strong ability to interpret complex financial statements and layered credit profiles typical of SBC transactions
Solid understanding of commercial property types, borrower structures, guarantor analysis, and cash‑flow‑based underwriting
High attention to detail with strong analytical, organizational, and critical‑thinking skills
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross‑functional teams
Comfort operating in a growth‑oriented, entrepreneurial environment with evolving processes and priorities
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Real Estate, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
An equivalent combination of education and directly relevant underwriting experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
Experience
Minimum of 3 to 5 years of direct Small Balance Commercial Real Estate underwriting experience required
Proven experience independently underwriting, structuring, and decisioning SBC loans across common property types, including multifamily, mixed‑use, retail, office, industrial, and special‑purpose assets
Experience working within defined credit guidelines while applying sound judgment to nuanced or non‑standard transactions
Prior experience in a private lender, non‑bank lender, or bank commercial credit environment strongly preferred
Familiarity with loan origination systems (LOS), third‑party reports, and credit memo preparation required
Disclaimer Gradient Mortgage Capital is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs.
This job description is not a contract of employment and does not list all duties of the position. Employment is at‑will, and job responsibilities, compensation, and benefits may change at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.
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Gradient Mortgage Capital LLC/Operations
Job Title:
Commercial Underwriter
Location:
Hybrid (Office/Remote) South FL
Travel Required:
None
Job Status:
Exempt
Position Type:
Full‑Time, Regular
Work Schedule:
Monday-Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM ET
Reports To:
SVP Underwriting/Head of Credit
Summary The Commercial Underwriter is responsible for evaluating, structuring, and decisioning Small Balance Commercial Real Estate (SBCRE) loan requests with a high degree of precision, consistency, and sound credit judgment. This role requires hands‑on experience underwriting small balance commercial loans, as the complexity and nuance of this market demand a deep understanding of borrower profiles, property types, cash‑flow analysis, and SBCRE‑specific risk drivers.
The Underwriter performs comprehensive credit analysis of borrowers and guarantors, conducts detailed collateral and market reviews, and applies informed judgment within established credit guidelines. Reporting directly to the Head of Credit, this role plays a critical part in maintaining credit quality while supporting the company’s production and growth objectives. The ideal candidate is analytical, detail‑oriented, and capable of operating independently in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Analyze borrower and guarantor financials, including tax returns, income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and projections, with a focus on small balance commercial transactions
Assess borrower and guarantor creditworthiness using credit reports, third‑party data, and relevant industry benchmarks
Evaluate real estate collateral by reviewing appraisals, environmental reports, market studies, rent rolls, operating statements, and title documentation to identify and mitigate risk
Structure and recommend loan terms and conditions, including pricing, leverage, and covenants, that appropriately balance risk and business objectives
Exercise sound judgment in nuanced or gray‑area credit decisions common in SBC lending, clearly articulating rationale and mitigating factors
Prepare clear, well‑documented underwriting narratives and credit memoranda that accurately reflect risk analysis, conclusions, and recommendations
Maintain accurate, complete, and timely records in the loan origination system (LOS) and CRM
Ensure underwriting decisions comply with internal credit policies, regulatory requirements, and fair lending standards
Collaborate with sales, operations, closing, and third‑party vendors to obtain required information and support an efficient end‑to‑end loan process
Contribute toward quarterly production goals and participate in periodic pipeline, production, and credit review meetings
Participate in weekly one‑on‑one meetings and broader underwriting and production initiatives
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management
Required Qualifications and Skills
Demonstrated experience underwriting Small Balance Commercial Real Estate loans; investor residential or DSCR experience is a plus but not a substitute
Strong ability to interpret complex financial statements and layered credit profiles typical of SBC transactions
Solid understanding of commercial property types, borrower structures, guarantor analysis, and cash‑flow‑based underwriting
High attention to detail with strong analytical, organizational, and critical‑thinking skills
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross‑functional teams
Comfort operating in a growth‑oriented, entrepreneurial environment with evolving processes and priorities
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Real Estate, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
An equivalent combination of education and directly relevant underwriting experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
Experience
Minimum of 3 to 5 years of direct Small Balance Commercial Real Estate underwriting experience required
Proven experience independently underwriting, structuring, and decisioning SBC loans across common property types, including multifamily, mixed‑use, retail, office, industrial, and special‑purpose assets
Experience working within defined credit guidelines while applying sound judgment to nuanced or non‑standard transactions
Prior experience in a private lender, non‑bank lender, or bank commercial credit environment strongly preferred
Familiarity with loan origination systems (LOS), third‑party reports, and credit memo preparation required
Disclaimer Gradient Mortgage Capital is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs.
This job description is not a contract of employment and does not list all duties of the position. Employment is at‑will, and job responsibilities, compensation, and benefits may change at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.
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