Agriculture is the key to unlocking a better future for billions of people. But while rural families sustain the world, they struggle to sustain themselves. At the same time, they face increasingly urgent challenges, from volatile crop prices to extreme weather.

Root Capital is a social impact investor that provides financing and training to agricultural enterprises so that they can transform rural communities. We work with enterprises in the “missing middle” of agricultural finance: those whose credit needs are too big for microfinance and too small or risky for commercial banks.

Since 1999, we have loaned over $2B to more than 800 businesses and we have trained more than 1,800—improving the lives of 10 million people. As these agricultural businesses succeed and scale, they become engines of impact for their local communities, raising incomes, creating jobs, uplifting women and young people, preserving vulnerable ecosystems, and building rural prosperity.

Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Root Capital has more than 180 employees operating in more than a dozen countries in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, and has associated offices in Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru, Ghana, and Kenya.

Position Overview

The Director, Credit Policy develops and manages the implementation of Root Capital’s credit policies and procedures, including relevant industry and country level underwriting guidelines. The role also involves managing the internal Risk Appetite Committee and actively participating in the Risk Oversight Committee. As a credit authority, the Director reviews and approves credit requests across Root Capital’s global portfolio.

Duties & Responsibilities

Purpose (60%)

Lending Policies and Procedures

Develop, maintain, and implement credit policies and procedures that align with Root Capital’s risk appetite and incorporate ongoing lessons learned.
Identify areas needing new or updated credit policies, prioritize policy development, and ensure feedback from the Lending and Risk Management teams.
Design and implement policies and procedures for credit processes and system enhancements in collaboration with Client Operations.
Create and refine underwriting guidelines to address regional, industry-specific, or risk-related needs in coordination with the Senior Director, Global Risk Management, Regional Risk Managers, and Lending teams.
Work closely with the Client Operations and the Portfolio Risk Analyst to develop, implement, and manage appropriate underwriting tools, including credit memo formats and financial analysis tools

Credit Approvals

Act as a credit approver, reviewing and approving new loans and modifications to existing loans across Root Capital’s global portfolio ensuring sound credit decisions in compliance with credit policies and procedures.
Ensure timeliness and quality of review and approval to achieve sound risk management while also delivering high quality customer service.

Engagement (20%)

Manage the Risk Appetite Committee and support the Senior Director, Global Risk Management in managing the Risk Oversight Committee as well as the Credit Sub-Committee of the Board of Directors.
Serve as a central resource for policy and procedural guidance, supporting both the Lending team and the Regional Risk Management teams.

Delivery (20%)

Maintain and disseminate loan policy and procedure manuals, ensuring accessibility, updates, and translations for lending staff globally.
Develop and deliver training on policies and procedures, collaborating closely with Regional Risk Management and Client Services teams to build capacity and ensure consistency.

Required Skills and Experience

Deep belief in and dedication to the mission of Root Capital, with a passion for promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development and rural resilience in low- and middle-income countries.
Bachelor’s degree; an advanced degree a plus.
5 to 7 years of progressively responsible experience in commercial lending or related financial services; experience in microfinance or SME lending preferred.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to present credit risk and portfolio insights to senior leadership, board members, and external stakeholders.
Excellent credit skills.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to build a respectful and inclusive work environment.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
Ability to work on central Standard time.
Legally authorized to work in the United States, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Kenya, Ghana or Rwanda.

Applications

More information about Root Capital is available at www.rootcapital.org. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply using the form below as soon as possible, making sure to include a resume and cover letter that describes your interest, qualifications, language abilities, salary requirements, and how you learned of the position. Finalist candidates will be required to provide at least three work-related references.

Root Capital provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, active military or veteran status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth, and breastfeeding and expressing breast milk), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Root Capital is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that upholds our leadership principles of: empowerment, equity, integrity, service, and transparency.