Director, Sponsor Finance

About Us

Live Oak Bank is a digital bank that serves small business owners across the country.  Our groundbreaking spin on service and technology has fueled our mission to be America’s Small Business Bank. Our products help customers buy, build, and expand their business, and our high-yield savings and CD products help them grow their hard-earned money.  At Live Oak, we never lose sight of the well-being of our people. We believe our employees are the heart of our company. Our commitment to our customers and culture is intertwined, and we seek those who embody and embrace what it takes to empower the American dream.

How This Role Impacts Live Oak and its People

The Director – Sponsor Finance will play a pivotal role in advancing the growth of Live Oak's Sponsor Finance portfolio. The position will report to the Managing Director of the Sponsor Finance Group, and is a senior-level individual contributor position with a strong focus on new business development, structuring transactions, and partnering cross-functionally to scale the Sponsor Finance function.  This role will work closely with clients to understand their financial needs and provide customized financing solutions for their M&A opportunities.  

What You’ll Do at Live Oak

• Analyze applicants’ financial status, credit, and property evaluation to determine if loan requests meet the Bank’s lending criteria.

• Structure loan opportunities to comply with Bank standards or reject loans that do not meet lending criteria.

• Evaluate sources of repayment on potential loan requests.

• Communicate with the Portfolio Manager to ensure proper hand-off of applicants for underwriting or creditors to resolve questions regarding application information.

• Actively participate with Executive Management to develop strategies for the business vertical and the Bank.

• Ensure adherence to loan terms and conditions, including timely receipt of required financial information, covenant compliance, and portfolio reviews.

• Identify and develop new deposit relationships.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with referral sources.

• Cultivate industry expertise in serving specified market niches.

• Stay abreast of economic conditions, changes, and trends in customers’ businesses, the banking industry, and the specific market niches targeted by the Bank.

• Manage staff, monitor performance, and ensure coaching opportunities and performance appraisals are completed in a timely manner.

• Follow regulatory requirements, including those pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Customer Identification Program (CIP), and OFAC, to assist in the identification, detection, and deterrence of money laundering or other unlawful activities.

Required and Preferred Experience

• 10+ years of experience in commercial lending, with at least 5 years specifically in Sponsor Finance lending required.

• Proven track record of executing and managing Sponsor backed transactions in a senior capacity required.

• Strong business development acumen and experience managing complex client relationships required.

• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, evolving environment required.

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business, or related field required; MBA preferred.

• Willingness to travel as needed to meet clients and support business development required.

Our Values

• Dedication: Possess a deep commitment to Live Oak Bank’s mission and core values, exemplified through a strong work ethic, adaptability and pride in your work.

• Ownership: Take initiative to deliver positive results by proactively and creatively solving problems, while maintaining a high degree of quality.

• Respect: Treat everyone wi.th courtesy, politeness, and kindness.

• Innovation: Embrace fresh ideas and fearlessly contribute new solutions to emerging or existing problems.

• Teamwork: Foster collaboration, accountability, and trust with others and understand that together, we do more

For a detailed overview of our employee benefits please visit: http://www.liveoakbank.com/careers/

Live Oak Bank is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled. We consider applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual