Executive Director, Credit Risk - Project Finance 2nd Line of Defense

Executive Director, Credit Risk - Project Finance 2nd Line of Defense

Country: United States of America

It Starts Here:

Santander is a global leader and innovator in the financial services industry and is evolving from a high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization. Our people are at the heart of this journey and together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.  This is more than a strategic shift.  It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

If you are interested in exploring the possibilities We Want to Talk to You!

The Difference You Make:

This is a senior leadership role within Santander’s U.S. Structured Finance Credit Risk organization (2nd Line of Defense), responsible for shaping and overseeing the firm’s Project Finance (“PF”) and Renewable Energy Tax Equity risk agenda.

The Executive Director will act as a key decision-maker and trusted advisor to senior management, providing independent credit judgment on complex, high-profile transactions while influencing portfolio strategy, risk appetite, and underwriting standards across the platform.

This position offers the opportunity to lead, build, and scale a critical risk function aligned to one of the most active sectors in the market—energy transition, infrastructure, and digital assets. The role carries significant credit approval authority and influence over transaction outcomes, with direct visibility to senior risk committees and executive leadership. The successful candidate will play a central role in ensuring that Santander continues to grow its PF franchise in a disciplined, risk-focused, and regulator-credible manner.

The role will report directly to the Head of Structured Finance Credit Risk in the US and lead and further develop a high-performing team of credit risk professionals, with responsibility for strengthening the PF risk platform, enhancing underwriting standards, and scaling capabilities in line with business growth. This position offers continued technical development, increasing credit responsibility, and long-term growth within Santander’s risk organization.

Coverage Areas:

• Renewable Energy (Wind, Solar, Battery Storage)
• Renewable Energy Tax Equity (including Tax Equity structures)
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
• Data Centers and Digital Infrastructure
• Midstream and downstream infrastructure

Transaction Leadership & Independent Credit Decisioning

• Provide independent approval, oversight, and effective challenge on all U.S. PF and Tax Equity transactions, including new originations, amendments, renewals, and restructurings.
• Exercise sound credit judgment on complex structures, assessing financial models, contractual frameworks, and key risk mitigants.
• Ensure underwriting reflects robust downside analysis, stress scenarios, and disciplined credit standards.
• Influence transaction outcomes through active engagement with Front Office and Underwriting teams.

Portfolio Strategy & Risk Governance

• Shape and oversee the PF portfolio strategy, including sector focus, concentration management, and risk appetite calibration.
• Monitor portfolio performance, including risk migration, stress sensitivities, and emerging vulnerabilities.
• Ensure alignment of exposures across Banking Book frameworks with regulatory expectations.
• Escalate material risks and trends to senior management and governance forums with clarity and authority.

Credit Policy Leadership

• Drive the ongoing development and enhancement of PF credit policies, underwriting standards, and risk frameworks.
• Strengthen consistency and rigor across transactions, sectors, and business lines.
• Oversee control frameworks, including issue identification, remediation, and testing effectiveness.
• Support the evolution of the PF risk platform in line with business growth and market complexity.

Regulatory Engagement & Credibility

• Serve as a senior representative in regulatory examinations, internal audits, and supervisory interactions.
• Ensure exam readiness and timely remediation of findings and risk issues.
• Maintain clear, defensible documentation and governance practices aligned with regulatory expectations.
• Reinforce Santander’s reputation as a disciplined and credible PF lender.
• Produce and oversee clear, accurate, and decision-useful risk reporting for senior management, risk committees, and regulators.

Leadership & Risk Culture

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering strong technical s