Lending Project Manager

Level: Senior Program Manager (SPM)

Department: Lending

Reports To: Director of Lending Program Operations 

Salary Range: $ 85,000 - $99,000

About the Center

Founded in 2008, the Center for New York City Neighborhoods, Inc. (the “Center”) is a not-for-profit that promotes and protects affordable homeownership so that all New Yorkers can build strong, thriving communities. With more than 18 years of experience, the Center's work spans direct services, network coordination, and systems-level intervention. It coordinates a citywide network of housing counseling and legal services providers, operates a statewide Homeowner Hub call center, and co-administers approximately $40 million annually in state funding that supports homeowner services statewide. The Center’s mission-driven CDFI, Sustainable Neighborhoods, lends approximately $7 million annually and holds approximately $100 million in net assets as of December 2025. The Center’s work is grounded in collaboration with community-based partners, public agencies, philanthropy, and national leaders in heirs’ property and housing preservation. Through these partnerships, the Center continues to develop scalable, practical solutions that preserve homeownership, stabilize communities, and expand access to economic opportunity.

The Lending Project Manager plays an integral role in the triage, management, and execution of residential lending projects while managing loan production from origination through funding and closing on behalf of  Sustainable Neighborhoods/the Center. This position serves as both a project manager and a hands-on lending professional with the ability to assist with the origination, processing, closing, and funding of residential loans.

The position works collaboratively with the borrowers, Lending and Servicing departments, lending partners, legal counsel, title companies, other vendors, and community organizations to ensure loans are originated efficiently, processed accurately, and closed in compliance with organizational policies, investor requirements, and federal, state, and municipal regulations. This position plays a critical role in advancing affordable homeownership opportunities for underserved and low-to-moderate income communities.

This is a full-time exempt position. We operate under a hybrid office model, requiring staff to work on-site at least two days per week to support collaboration, connection, and impact. Candidates must be able to meet these in-office expectations. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Operations

• Support the Director of Lending Program Operations in program reporting, process development, and drafting. 

Loan project management

• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving processing, closing, servicing, post-closing, compliance, and program administration by developing project plans, managing timelines and milestones, mitigating operational risks, and ensuring timely loan delivery.
• Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and the borrower experience, monitor project performance, and provide regular status updates and recommendations to leadership.

In addition to the primary functions of supporting lending operations and project management, this role may assist in supporting the team across the following (*) functions:

• Serve as a residential lending subject matter expert capable of executing loan originations as needed. Review borrower applications for program eligibility, provide guidance on loan products and CDFI programs, manage borrower communications, collect and review required documentation, ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines, and maintain accurate pipeline reporting. 

• Process residential mortgage and home improvement loan applications from intake through underwriting as needed by reviewing borrower financial and property documentation and coordinating required third-party reports. Prepare complete underwriting packages, resolve file deficiencies, obtain outstanding documentation, and ensure loan files meet internal quality standards and investor requirements.

• Assist with coordinating all aspects of residential loan closings as needed by collaborating with attorneys, title companies, settlement agents, borrowers, and internal stakeholders to ensure a smooth and timely closing process. Review Closing Disclosures (drafting and sending when needed) and settlement statements for accuracy, ensure all loan conditions are satisfied prior to funding, coordinate funding approvals and post-closing documentation, and verify collateral perfection and recording requirements.

Post Closing*

• Conduct post-closing audits of residential mortgage and home improvement loan files to ensure complete, accurate, and compliant loan documentation; validate that all underwriting, funding, and closing conditions are satisfied, identify deficiencies, coordinate corrective actions, and ensure compliance with investor, program, regulatory, and New York State DFS requirements.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, investor, and agency requirements, including CDFI Fund requirements, SONYMA, and Funders guidelines (as applicable), Truth in Lending Act (TILA), RESPA, ECOA, HMDA, Fair Lending regulations, CFPB requirements, Bank Secrecy Act/AML requirements, and Internal lending policies. Assist with internal and external audits and maintain accurate electronic loan files.

• Monitor lending pipeline metrics, loan cycle times, and key performance indicators to identify trends and recommend process improvements. Prepare production, CDFI reporting, conduct quality control reviews, and track audit findings and corrective actions to support operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. Prepare, analyze, and escalate compliance reporting for HMDA, Reg B, and TRID deficiencies 

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Real Estate, Public Administration, or a related field required. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS) license (if applicable)

• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in residential mortgage lending.
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Loan origination
  • Loan processing
  • Loan closing
  • Project management
• Experience with affordable housing or CDFI lending strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of residential mortgage lending operations.
• Ability to independently manage the full loan lifecycle.
• Knowledge of conventional, SONYMA, and affordable lending programs.

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Experience improving operational workflows.

Proficiency with:

• Loan Origination Systems (LOS)
• Byte Pro or similar lending platforms
• Salesforce or CRM systems
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Excel reporting
• Electronic document management systems - DocMagic

• Ability to communicate effectively with borrowers from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent customer service orientation.

• Ability to identify lending risks and recommend solutions.

Values

• Demonstrates Ownership by showing initiative, active problem solving, being solution-oriented, acting conscientiously, and putting team results above individual accomplishments 
• Demonstrates Growth Mindset through resilience, humility, engaging in expansive thinking, and showing curiosity and openness to learning
• Works collaboratively by demonstrating the ability to work in teams, exhibiting emotional intelligence, and having positive energy