The Chief Credit Officer exercises overall management of the Bank’s loan portfolio, loan approvals, loan concentrations, and risk management. Provides support and direction to lending staff and oversees loan policies and procedures to ensure the overall quality of the bank’s lending portfolio. Supervises collection of problem loans and strategies to minimize charge offs. Recommends and assigns credit approval authorities in conformity with Board approved policies and maintains ongoing control over the credit risk rating system. The Chief Credit Officer is the primary driver of the credit culture and ensures a high quality, low risk loan portfolio that reflects the risk appetite as outlined by the Board. Takes a key role in the development of new credit products. Works closely with the loan production groups to ensure that credit decisions are made promptly, and credit policy is clearly communicated to facilitate good customer service.

Main Job Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Act as Chairman of the Loan Committee.
• Exercise oversight of the Bank’s risk management to control risk in the Bank’s credit portfolio, maintain quality control over all parts of the risk management process, and minimize credit losses. Monitor the credit portfolio through periodic reviews of all underlying data.
• Chair the Loan Classification Committee which exercises oversight for adequacy of risk ratings, accrual status, regulatory compliance, loan policy conformance, and recovery of problem loans and the disposition of foreclosed assets.
• Review and analyze credits as needed to conduct assigned credit approval authority. Determine if all credits submitted for approval meet sound underwriting standards and do not pose greater-than-acceptable risk.
• Establish and analyze financial metrics of the Bank’s loan portfolio for adherence to regulatory guidelines and analyze credit portfolios to pinpoint potential areas of weakness or concentrations that produce more than acceptable risk. Assist the management team in establishing financial metrics for the Bank’s loan portfolio for revenue enhancement, cost controls, and loan pricing to guide bank management in improving earnings and in making strategic business decisions.
• Oversee the end-to-end credit risk management oversight for the Bank’s third-party relationships.
• Responsible for creating policies, standards, processes, metrics, tools, and analytics to inform management and the board on third party organizations current and emerging credit risks.
• Provide leadership and management to Loan Operation employees to ensure satisfactory performance.
• Provide direction and outline expectations for Relationship Managers, Loan Operations, and ultimately all lending staff.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of the CECL model and provide quarterly analysis of the adequacy of the loan loss allowance.
• Primary contact to work with regulators in conducting their safety and soundness examines and to establish a strong level of creditability with all regulators, external auditors, and third-party loan reviews.
• Lead, motivate, train, direct, and supervise direct reports.
• Perform periodic and annual reviews of all direct reports.
• Pursue pertinent professional development opportunities.
• Prepare various management, regulatory, and Board of Directors reports regarding loan portfolio performance and trends.
• Approve and coordinate changes and improvements in automated financial and management information systems relating to the Bank’s loan portfolio.
• Assist in building annual organization goals as well as individual performance plans for direct reports.
• Approve and coordinate changes and improvements in automated financial and management information systems relating to the Bank’s loan portfolio.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution in finance or accounting
• Minimum 10 years of experience in leadership, credit and risk management and credit approval of both consumer and commercial lending
• Computer skills including Windows-based software, word processing and spreadsheet applications and bank software

Key Competencies:

• Capable Leader
• Knowledge of bank accounting, regulations, policies and procedures as it applies to the lending function
• Expertise in formulating and administering lending policies and procedures
• Ability to establish and communicate the organizational Credit Risk Appetite
• Thorough knowledge of business cash flow, collateral valuation, appraisal procedures, and documentation
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Proven management and analytical skills