Back to jobs

Construction Underwriter

Encino, CA

About Ascent

Ascent Developer Solutions is a leading private lending platform, serving real estate developers nationwide in the acquisition, renovation, and construction of residential real estate. Founded by a leadership team with a deep understanding and personal experience in virtually every facet of real estate development, Ascent is uniquely positioned to create custom, innovative lending solutions for a variety of real estate development business strategies.

The Role

The Construction Underwriter plays a pivotal role in Ascent’s success with high-value residential construction projects (SFR & MFR), utilizing their expertise to evaluate construction loan applications with precision and care. By analyzing financial data, project plans, and conducting detailed risk assessments, they ensure sound decisions that meet company standards and borrower needs. Their insights foster trust and reliability in construction lending operations, while their ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and deep knowledge of construction projects drives Ascent’s operational excellence. 

 

The Work

  • Assess project feasibility, risk factors, and the borrowers’ creditworthiness, applying Company underwriting guidelines to recommend an appropriate level of loan approval. 
  • Prepare comprehensive underwriting documentation, including risk assessments, loan conditions, and recommendations for loan approval or denial. 
  • Conduct site visits as necessary to assess project progress and ensure compliance with loan conditions. 
  • Contribute to decision-making for projects ranging in value from $3 million to $20 million, ensuring they meet stringent financial, regulatory, and investment criteria. 
  • Provide strategic insights that drive the company's growth and enhance its competitiveness in the market, ensuring cost-effectiveness and operational excellence. Stay informed about market trends, construction costs, and regulatory changes affecting the construction and banking industries. 
  • Translate complex project data into actionable financial insights to guide investment decisions and prioritize projects effectively. 
  • Consult with Loan Officers to package appropriate solutions to meet the needs of the borrower while ensuring profitable outcomes for Ascent. 
  • Work closely with relationship managers, borrowers, regulatory bodies, and internal and external partners to gather necessary information and address any concerns or questions. 
  • Monitor the performance of the construction loan portfolio, identifying and addressing any emerging risks or issues. 
  • Provide regular reports and updates to senior management on the status of construction loans and the overall health of the construction loan portfolio. 
  • Develop sophisticated financial models and conduct detailed risk analysis to support the evaluation, planning, and expansion of large-scale projects. 
  • Review portfolio reporting mechanisms to improve decision-making and accountability in asset performance. 
  • Advocate and support the integration of innovative digital solutions that optimize business processes and workflows, system functionality, and user experience. 
  • Demonstrate high ethical standards and professionalism when handling significant financial transactions and sensitive information. 

 

Your Skills and Experience

  • BA/BS in construction management, finance, business, real estate, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience in construction management, financial analysis and project financing 
  • 3+ years of underwriting or risk assessment experience in construction lending within the banking industry 
  • Advanced knowledge of financial modeling techniques, and tools like Excel and financial software platforms 
  • Experience communicating and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders 
  • Proficiency in relevant software such as construction management software (e.g., TrustPoint, Procore), and general office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite). 
  • Strong analytical and decision-making abilities 
  • Experience successfully multi-tasking and prioritizing work 
  • Experience consistently meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment 

 

The Work Environment

  • This role works on-site from Ascent's Encino office, Monday - Thursday (Fridays are work-from-home).
  • Full-time, 40 hours per week; must be available for occasional overtime.
  • Some nights and weekends required.

 

Salary Range

Salary range is $85k-$100k per year, with a discretionary bonus adding up to 20% per year.

Our Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits include five health plans, two dental plans, health savings and flexible spending accounts, vision coverage, a 401(k) plan, and other optional benefits from which to choose.

Our Pledge

We pledge to be fair and considerate in hiring and promoting individuals, ensuring everyone can contribute their fullest potential regardless of background, identity, or personal circumstances. By promoting equal opportunity, we not only enhance our workplace but also contribute to a more just and equitable society. At Ascent, we stand united in building a community where everyone is empowered to succeed. Thank you for joining us on our journey towards a more inclusive future.

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Ascent Developer Solutions? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Ascent Developer Solutions’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.