Builder & Contractor Risk Specialist | Remote
Who We Are: Cardinal Financial is a nationwide direct mortgage lender that focuses on creating solutions for our borrowers, partners, and employees—to provide the very best experience. We are genuine and hard-working individuals who are not scared to improve and intentionally push beyond what is considered “good enough.” Looking to join a company that values its people, innovates, and expands on its proprietary technology? Apply below! Who We Need: The Builder & Contractor Risk Specialist is responsible for performing comprehensive due diligence and risk evaluations of builders and contractors seeking approval to participate in Cardinal’s construction and renovation lending programs. The Specialist ensures all counterparties meet company standards for financial strength, licensing, insurance, and overall business integrity. This position conducts detailed business and individual credit reviews, verifies licenses and insurance compliance, evaluates references and past project performance, and assesses overall risk exposure prior to approval. The Specialist collaborates closely with internal stakeholders across Risk, Credit, Construction Lending, Legal, and Compliance to identify potential issues, recommend appropriate mitigations, and maintain accurate builder approval records. What You Will Do: • Conduct comprehensive due diligence reviews of builders and contractors for participation in construction and renovation lending programs. • Perform both business and individual credit reviews, analyzing repayment history, public records, and financial capacity. • Verify state and local licenses, certifications, insurance policies, and bonding requirements to ensure compliance with lender and regulatory standards. • Review financial statements to assess liquidity, solvency, and operational capacity. • Complete reference checks to evaluate the quality of work, adherence to timelines, professionalism, and client satisfaction. • Analyze past project performance and identify potential operational or reputational risks. • Document findings, summarize risk assessments, and provide clear approval or escalation recommendations. • Partner with Construction Risk, Credit, and Legal teams to review exceptions and determine conditions for approval. • Maintain a centralized record of approved builders and contractors, ensuring timely updates for renewals (licenses, insurance, and financials). • Support ongoing monitoring and revalidation of active builders to ensure continued compliance and performance standards. • Contribute to process improvements and standardization of builder/contractor approval frameworks. What You Need: • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, Construction Management, or related field (or equivalent experience). 3–5 years of experience in risk review, vendor due diligence, or builder acceptance within the mortgage or construction lending industry. Proven ability to review business and individual credit, financials, and compliance documentation. Familiarity with construction loan programs, builder oversight processes, and third-party risk standards. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and risk management platforms. Experience with credit and compliance tools such as Dun & Bradstreet, Credit Reporting Systems, LexisNexis, or Octane preferred. Risk Assessment: Strong ability to identify and evaluate financial, operational, and reputational risk factors. Analytical Thinking: Skilled in interpreting credit data, financials, and qualitative information. Regulatory Awareness: Knowledge of mortgage lending, construction lending, and vendor due diligence requirements. Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy and completeness of all documentation and review records. Judgment and Integrity: Applies sound, ethical judgment in assessing risk and recommending actions. Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to summarize complex information clearly. Collaboration: Works effectively across departments to balance business needs with risk controls. Organization: Manages multiple concurrent reviews with competing deadlines. What We Offer: • Strength, Stability, and Vision • Great compensation package • Opportunity for career growth • A commitment to be a relevant market leader - we are aiming for the top! • Octane, our engineered proprietary technology that is transforming the mortgage industry • An empowered culture where your ideas are important and your voice matters • Full Benefits, beginning the first day of the month following your start date, including – Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability Insurance, and much more • Generous paid time off package that also includes all major holidays • 401K w/ 50% match - Beginning the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment Cardinal Financial is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We respect and aim to empower individuals and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our workforce. California residents click here to review Cardinal's California Employee Privacy Policy & Notice at Collection. The expected base salary for this position ranges from fifty three thousand dollars to seventy five thousand dollars, determined based on the applicant's experience, skillset, education, training, certificates, and licenses. Apply tot his job