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Director of Community Lending

Company: VCDC

Locations: Richmond, VA; , Hybrid

Job Function: Lending/Loan Operations

Background

VCDC Community Lenders is a CDFI affiliate under VCDC it offers several loan products which are distinguished by size, allowable use of loan proceeds, swift review and approval process, flexible terms and underwriting criteria. As a mission-driven organization, VCDC Community Lenders gives priority to affordable housing opportunities and to commercial development that results in economic development in distressed communities.

VCDC is a nonprofit community development organization based in Richmond, Virginia. We provide capital solutions and strategic partnerships that support affordable housing, economic opportunity, and community development across Virginia and surrounding states.

Summary

The Director of VCDC Community Lenders leads the strategy, growth, and operations of VCDC’s community development lending activities.  This role leads the raising, structuring, and deployment of debt and other mission-aligned capital to support impactful community development projects across Virginia and surrounding states.

The Director cultivates strong relationships with borrowers, investors, lenders, philanthropic partners, and public funding partners while overseeing lending practices, portfolio performance, compliance, and community impact.

Working closely with VCDC’s leadership and operational teams, the Director helps advance strategic initiatives, organizational growth, and mission-driven capital deployment.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Capitalization, Growth, and Strategy

  • Provide leadership and operational oversight for VCDC Community Lenders and its community development lending activities.

  • In coordination with VCDC leadership, help lead the strategic direction and long-term growth of VCDC Community Lenders.

  • Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of capital sources, lending opportunities, and mission-driven development projects.

  • Raise lending and investment capital through debt, equity, grants, public resources, philanthropic support, and institutional partnerships.

  • Build strong relationships with banks, investors, foundations, government partners, developers, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders.

  • Identify opportunities to expand VCDC Community Lenders’ assets, lending capacity, and community impact.

Capital Deployment & Lending Operations

  • Lead and oversee lending activities across the project lifecycle, working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners on sourcing, underwriting coordination, structuring, approvals, closings, and portfolio monitoring.

  • Ensure capital is deployed strategically and responsibly in alignment with VCDC’s mission and community development priorities.

  • Work with internal teams and external advisors to structure financing solutions that appropriately balance risk, return, compliance, and community impact.

  • Coordinate Loan Committee review and approval processes.

  • Provide leadership and oversight to staff and collaborative teams supporting loan origination, portfolio management, compliance, reporting, and borrower relationships.

Pipeline & Partnership Development

  • Proactively source and cultivate projects suitable for lending and other community finance tools.

  • Maintain active relationships with prospective borrowers, funding partners, and mission-driven development projects.

  • Represent VCDC Community Lenders externally to strengthen visibility, credibility, partnerships, and deal flow.

  • Collaborate with VCDC leadership, staff, and board members to identify emerging financing needs and strategic opportunities.

Portfolio, Compliance & Asset Management

  • Oversee the performance and health of the lending and investment portfolio.

  • Work with finance and data teams to track portfolio performance, compliance requirements, financial reporting, and impact metrics.

  • Maintain accurate records using systems such as Power BI and Down Home Solutions.

  • Ensure continued compliance with CDFI Fund requirements, CDE requirements, investor agreements, funder obligations, and applicable public and private financing programs.

New Markets Tax Credits and Specialized Financing Tools

  • Support the application process, management, deployment, and compliance of New Markets Tax Credit allocations when applicable.

  • Ensure New Markets Tax Credit projects meet program requirements and demonstrate meaningful benefits to low-income communities.

  • Integrate New Markets Tax Credits and other specialized financing tools into a broader mission-driven capital deployment strategy.

Board & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Serve as the primary staff liaison to the VCDC Community Lenders Board of Directors and Loan Committee.

  • Prepare reports, facilitate meetings, and support Board decision-making.

  • Partner with legal counsel, consultants, financial institutions, and advisory partners to structure transactions and maintain compliance.

  • Communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders regarding pipeline, portfolio performance, capital needs, and community impact.

Performance Expectations

Success in this role will be measured by the Director’s ability to:

  • Raise and deploy capital in alignment with VCDC’s mission.

  • Maintain strong relationships and ongoing opportunities with capital sources, borrowers, and community development partners.

  • Grow and strengthen VCDC Community Lenders’ lending activities and community impact.

  • Maintain a healthy, compliant, and mission-aligned portfolio.

  • Build trusted relationships with lenders, investors, funders, borrowers, board members, and community partners.

  • Ensure accurate reporting on financial performance, compliance, and community impact.

The Director is employed by VCDC and operates within a coordinated governance structure alongside the VCDC Community Lenders Board. VCDC provides employment oversight and regular performance evaluation, while the VCDC Community Lenders Board retains governance responsibility for the organization’s compliance, certification, and strategic obligations.

Requirements

A successful applicant will:

  • Demonstrate a commitment to expanding access to capital and financial resources for low-income and underserved communities.

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with borrowers, investors, funding partners, and community stakeholders.

  • Work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and with external stakeholders.

  • Balance mission impact with sound financial and operational decision-making.

  • Be flexible, strategic, relationship-driven, and eager to learn.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, urban planning, public administration, law, real estate, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

  • Minimum of 7 years of experience in community development finance, CDFI operations, commercial lending, affordable housing, economic development, or related fields.

  • Experience raising, structuring, and deploying capital through debt, equity, grants, public financing, or investment partnerships.

  • Strong understanding of lending, underwriting, financial analysis, portfolio management, and borrower relations.

  • Experience managing complex financial transactions and ensuring compliance with public and private funding requirements.

  • Experience building partnerships with financial institutions, investors, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders.

  • Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

  • Experience supervising staff and managing collaborative, cross-functional work.

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Graduate degree or advanced training in business, finance, economics, urban planning, public administration, or a related field.

  • Experience within the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) industry.

  • Familiarity with New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs) and other community development finance tools.

  • Knowledge of affordable housing finance and community development lending structures.

  • Experience with financial reporting, portfolio management, and data systems such as Power BI and Down Home Solutions.

  • Knowledge of community development, racial equity, and economic inclusion principles.

  • Experience working with boards, loan committees, or mission-driven investment entities.

Compensation and Benefits

At VCDC, we believe compensation should reflect both the impact of the work and our commitment to organizational values. We use national and local salary surveys, structured pay bands, regular compensation analysis, and internal benchmarking to ensure our compensation practices remain fair, competitive, equitable, and transparent.

  • Salary Range: $100,000–$145,000 annually, plus benefits. This range reflects the full pay band for the role over time and does not necessarily represent the starting salary.

  • Expected Starting Salary: $100,000–$125,000, depending on experience, skills, qualifications, and overall alignment with the position requirements. Compensation increases are tied to performance, tenure, and organizational advancement.

  • Bonuses: Performance-based bonuses may be available depending on individual and organizational outcomes.

Our total compensation package includes a range of financial, wellness, and professional benefits:

  • Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% employer-covered options; 24/7 telemedicine; a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health and wellness support; and access to a free office gym

  • Time Off & Flexibility: Generous paid time off (PTO) and volunteer time off; hybrid work environment; free parking; casual dress; and ergonomic workstations

  • Financial Security: Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance; retirement plan with employer-funded contribution after one year; and tech/cell phone stipend (as applicable)

  • Professional Growth: Tuition reimbursement, industry certification support, and a mission-driven, learning-focused culture

  • Note: Benefits and compensation details are provided for informational purposes and are subject to change.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter describing your interest and qualifications here. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will be open until filled.