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Independent Contractor Chief Lending Officer Jobs

Socket.dev

NY · On-site

$180 - $320/hr

Chief Lending Officer Location: 1500 NW 107th Avenue Miami, FL. 33172 Summary The Chief Lending Officer is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, administration, and performance ...

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Premier Farm Credit

Chief Lending Officer

Sterling, CO · On-site

$175K - $205K/yr

Chief Lending Officer Premier Farm Credit | Sterling, Colorado Position Overview: The Chief Lending Officer (CLO) leads Premier Farm Credit's lending and marketing functions, driving portfolio growth ...

Rhonemus Group

Chief Lending Officer

Powell, OH · On-site

$200K/yr

IGNITE YOUR CAREER-PLAY WITH PASSION Opportunities for authentic Chief Lending Officer roles in community banking are rare. Our client, Buckeye State Bank, with over $500 million in assets, is ...

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Independent Contractor Chief Lending Officer information

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$69K

$163.2K

$275.5K

How much do independent contractor chief lending officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for independent contractor chief lending officer in the United States is $163,165.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,500.00 and $200,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by independent contractor chief lending officers, and how can they effectively navigate them?

Independent Contractor Chief Lending Officers often encounter challenges such as building trust with new clients, adapting to different organizational cultures, and balancing multiple, sometimes conflicting, stakeholder interests. As they are not permanent staff members, they need to quickly assess the lending portfolio, implement risk management strategies, and drive lending growth within tight timeframes. Success in this role relies on strong communication skills, adaptability, and the ability to deliver results without the direct support systems available to in-house executives. Proactively establishing clear processes, keeping stakeholders informed, and leveraging industry best practices can help overcome these challenges.

What is an independent contractor chief lending officer?

An Independent Contractor Chief Lending Officer (CLO) is a senior professional who oversees a company's lending operations on a contract or freelance basis, rather than as a full-time employee. Their responsibilities include developing lending policies, managing loan portfolios, ensuring compliance with regulations, and leading the lending team. By working independently, they offer flexibility and specialized expertise to organizations such as banks, credit unions, or fintech firms that may not require a permanent, in-house CLO. This arrangement can be particularly advantageous for smaller institutions or those undergoing transitions.

What is the difference between Independent Contractor Chief Lending Officer vs Loan Officer?

AspectIndependent Contractor Chief Lending OfficerLoan Officer
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees, certifications like NMLS, and extensive industry experienceRequires NMLS license, relevant financial or banking background
Work EnvironmentWorks independently, often as a contractor or consultant, with strategic responsibilitiesWorks for a bank or mortgage company, directly interacting with clients
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in financial institutions, mortgage companies, and consulting rolesCommonly employed by banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders

The Independent Contractor Chief Lending Officer typically holds a senior, strategic role with extensive credentials and works independently or as a consultant. In contrast, a Loan Officer is usually employed directly by a financial institution, focusing on client loan applications. Both roles require licensing and industry knowledge but differ significantly in scope and work environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an independent contractor chief lending officer?

To thrive as an Independent Contractor Chief Lending Officer, you need deep expertise in credit analysis, loan portfolio management, and regulatory compliance, often supported by a degree in finance or a related field. Familiarity with lending software, risk assessment tools, and financial reporting systems, as well as relevant certifications like Certified Lender Business Banker (CLBB), is typically required. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and relationship-building skills help drive effective teams and foster partnerships with clients and stakeholders. These skills are crucial to ensure sound lending practices, mitigate risk, and support the financial institution’s growth and stability.

What cities are hiring for Independent Contractor Chief Lending Officer jobs?

Cities with the most Independent Contractor Chief Lending Officer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Lending Officer jobs?

The most popular types of Chief Lending Officer jobs are:

What states have the most Independent Contractor Chief Lending Officer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Independent Contractor Chief Lending Officer jobs include:

Independent Contractor Chief Lending Officer jobs near you

Chief Lending Officer

Minnesota League of Credit Unions

Maple Grove, MN • On-site

$165 - $220/hr

Other

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

TopLine Financial Credit Union - Maple Grove, MN

Full-time

Salary: $165,000.00 - $220,000.00 Annually

Application Deadline: Sep 23, 2026

Lead Smart Growth. Protect What's Built. Shape What's Next.

Do You Belong Here?

TopLine Financial Credit Union is seeking a strategic, forward-thinking executive to serve as its next Chief Lending Officer. This is an opportunity to join a high-performing organization where lending is more than a business line - it's the engine that fuels growth, strengthens member relationships, and supports long-term financial success.

For more than 90 years, TopLine Financial Credit Union has helped individuals, families, and businesses throughout the Twin Cities achieve their financial goals. Headquartered in Maple Grove, Minnesota, TopLine has earned a reputation for combining financial strength with exceptional member service, innovative lending solutions, and a culture committed to continuous improvement.

Reporting directly to the President/CEO, the Chief Lending Officer will join the executive leadership team and oversee consumer lending, mortgage lending, business and commercial lending, indirect lending, loan servicing, and collections. This leader will guide the credit union's lending philosophy while ensuring growth, credit quality, member value, and sound risk management remain aligned.

Located just northwest of Minneapolis, Maple Grove consistently ranks among Minnesota's best places to live, offering outstanding schools, vibrant retail and dining, abundant parks and trails, and convenient access to everything the Twin Cities has to offer.

Is Your Purpose Guiding Members Through the Lending Lifecycle?

Reporting directly to the President/CEO, the Chief Lending Officer serves as the executive responsible for TopLine's lending strategy and the stewardship of its largest earning asset. This leader will oversee the complete lending lifecycle while ensuring lending decisions are grounded in consistent credit philosophy, disciplined risk management, and exceptional member service.

The CLO will develop enterprise lending strategy, establish credit policy, strengthen portfolio analytics, guide risk-based pricing, and partner closely with executive leadership to ensure sustainable portfolio growth across consumer, mortgage, commercial, and indirect lending. Success requires balancing growth, yield, and credit quality - not viewing them as competing priorities.

The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with operational excellence. They understand that strong lending organizations are built through disciplined processes, data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and leaders who develop exceptional teams. They are equally comfortable discussing balance sheet strategy in the boardroom as they are coaching lending leaders and improving day-to-day operations.

Can We Grow Together?

The ideal candidate is an accomplished executive with 15+ years of progressive lending leadership experience, including responsibility for multiple lending functions and ownership of lending performance across an organization. A bachelor's degree in finance, business, economics, or a related field is required, while an MBA or other advanced degree is strongly preferred. Credit union experience is preferred, although accomplished banking and financial services executives are encouraged to apply.

Candidates should bring demonstrated success leading consumer, mortgage, business, commercial, or indirect lending while developing credit policy, portfolio analytics, and risk-based lending strategies that produce sustainable results. Experience leading organizational change, improving business processes, leveraging data to guide decisions, and developing high-performing leadership teams will be essential.

Beyond technical expertise, this leader will bring executive presence, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style. They will build trusted relationships across the executive team, confidently engage with the Board of Directors, and help position TopLine for continued success through thoughtful leadership and disciplined execution.

As TopLine Financial Credit Union continues to grow, the Chief Lending Officer will play a defining role in shaping the organization's future while protecting one of its most valuable assets - its lending portfolio - and the trust its members place in it every day.

The target salary range for this position is $165,000–$220,000 annually.

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