Underwriting Associate Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Equitable Facilities Fund (EFF) is a national nonprofit social impact fund dedicated to transforming how high-impact public charter schools access the capital they need to grow and thrive. The organization operates with a core belief that schools should spend more resources on students rather than on financing their buildings. EFF provides school leaders with affordable, flexible facilities financing coupled with the support of a team possessing deep expertise in both education and complex financial transactions. By dramatically lowering the cost and barriers to capital access, EFF enables schools to invest more resources in the areas where they can have the greatest impact: students, educators, and the communities they serve. The organization has a proven track record of success in the charter school financing sector, having committed over $2 billion to schools serving more than 145,000 students, predominantly in communities historically furthest from opportunity. EFF’s financing solutions have generated over $350 million in savings for schools, the majority of which serve predominantly low-income students of color. EFF operates as a mission-driven lender and investor, combining rigorous financial analysis with a commitment to advancing educational equity and addressing systemic inequities. The organization’s approach balances credit quality with impact, ensuring sustainable lending practices while supporting school growth and community development. EFF’s team brings specialized knowledge in both the charter school sector and complex financial transactions, positioning the fund as a trusted partner for schools seeking affordable capital solutions.

The Director, School Lending and Underwriting will play a critical role in EFF’s efforts to ensure that every high-impact charter school serving historically marginalized communities has a pathway to affordable financing. This position reports to the Partner and Principal, School Investments, and is responsible for managing the lending process and developing investment recommendations that adeptly balance credit quality and impact while supporting the growth of the loan portfolio. The Director will manage the underwriting of approximately 10 to 12 transactions annually, conducting comprehensive credit analysis and leading each transaction through the underwriting process from structuring through Credit Committee approval. This role requires close collaboration with other Directors and Vice Presidents across the Underwriting team to ensure rigorous, consistent, and efficient execution. The Director will serve as a key point of contact for schools throughout the underwriting process, interfacing with EFF’s Lending, School Outreach, and Asset Management teams to ensure all school borrowers have a positive experience. Additionally, the Director will lead the ongoing development and refinement of systems and procedures to optimize EFF’s lending practice, including exploring the use of artificial intelligence and automation. The role involves building deep underwriting expertise and sector knowledge in three to five key geographic markets, leading deals in those regions and interacting with local intermediaries and stakeholders. The Director will participate in organizational and cross-functional team-building, strategic planning, and goal-setting processes, and will lead special projects designed to advance EFF’s mission and serve more schools. The position requires approximately 25 to 35 percent travel time to participate in team activities, conduct school site visits, and represent EFF at statewide, regional, or national conferences and convenings.

• Manage the structuring, underwriting, and preparation of 10 to 12 transactions annually for Credit Committee approval
• Conduct comprehensive credit analysis and lead each transaction through the complete underwriting process
• Delegate deal-specific responsibilities to associates and ensure rigorous, consistent, and efficient execution
• Collaborate closely with other Directors and Vice Presidents across the Underwriting team
• Serve as a key point of contact for schools throughout the underwriting process
• Interface with EFF’s Lending, School Outreach, and Asset Management teams to ensure positive borrower experiences for new and repeat school clients
• Build deep underwriting expertise and sector knowledge in 3 to 5 key geographic markets
• Lead deals in key geographic markets and interact with local intermediaries and stakeholders
• Lead the ongoing development and refinement of systems and procedures, including exploring the use of artificial intelligence
• Participate in organizational and cross-functional team-building, strategic planning, and goal-setting processes
• Lead and support special projects designed to advance EFF’s mission and serve more schools
• Represent EFF at conferences and on panels
• Perform other related duties as assigned

• 6 or more years of relevant professional experience in CDFI lending, commercial lending, investment banking, charter school financial management, impact investing, or a related field
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or a related field
• Unwavering commitment to EFF’s mission to address educational, financial, and racial inequities
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through professional, investment, academic, or community experience
• Experience conducting financial, operational, and programmatic due diligence of charter schools
• Demonstrated ability to manage team members and complex workflows
• Exceptional quantitative and financial analysis skills, including the ability to develop and assess financial models
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong, creative problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt and pivot in support of a growing organization
• Customer-service orientation and demonstrated ability to collaborate across functional teams
• High degree of integrity and authenticity, complemented by a good sense of humor
• Willingness to travel approximately 25 to 35 percent of the time

• Target salary band of $120,500 to $156,700 with expectation to bring candidate in at midpoint ($138,603) with eventual upside to align with compensation practices
• Up to 10 percent annual bonus based on organizational performance
• Unlimited paid time off
• 6 percent 401(k) match