VP, First Line Risk and Compliance

VP, First Line Risk and Compliance, Commercial Lending

The VP, First Line Risk and Compliance, Commercial Lending is responsible for strengthening and operating the first line control environment for the Bank's commercial lending activities, with an emphasis on disciplined credit risk practices across the end-to-end lifecycle (origination, underwriting, closing, servicing, and portfolio management). This role partners closely with Commercial Lending, Credit Administration, Legal, Compliance, BSA, and Enterprise Risk Management to ensure key risks are proactively identified and controlled through clear procedures, effective controls, monitoring, timely issue remediation, and reporting aligned to the Bank's risk appetite and regulatory expectations.

The position enables safe and sound growth of the commercial lending portfolio by embedding consistent credit standards, data quality, and control execution into day-to-day operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary first line control leader for Commercial Lending Operations, including creating and maintaining procedures to ensure consistent execution of credit policies and applicable regulatory requirements
• Oversee control activities across commercial lending with a focus on reducing credit and operational losses through adherence to underwriting standards, collateral/valuation documentation, and data accuracy
• Design, implement, and maintain first line controls, key control indicators, and monitoring routines focused on credit quality drivers (exceptions, overrides, documentation defects, covenant compliance, etc.)
• Partner with second line functions (Enterprise Risk Management, BSA, and Compliance) and internal/external audit to support control testing, regulatory exams, and remediation tracking for commercial lending processes
• Execute first line risk management responsibilities in accordance with the Bank's Risk Management Framework, including performance of risk assessments, business continuity planning, and third-party risk reviews; adherence to risk appetite; timely identification and escalation of issues; and clear reporting to governance forums
• Lead issue identification, root cause analysis, remediation planning, and validation of corrective actions for credit policy exceptions, documentation gaps, booking errors, and process breakdowns
• Provide guidance to lending, underwriting, and operations teams on control execution, documentation standards, and regulatory expectations
• Support change initiatives (new products, process enhancements, system implementations, growth) by performing control impact reviews and confirming credit requirements (data, documentation, approvals, and monitoring) are built into the design
• Prepare and deliver clear, timely reporting and metrics on control performance, exceptions, remediation status, and credit process health to senior management and governance committees
• Promote a strong control culture by reinforcing ownership, accountability, and consistent execution of credit processes across Commercial Lending Operations
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required; in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field preferred;
  Master of Business Administration preferred
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in commercial lending, banking operations, risk management, or compliance within a regulated financial institution required
• Strong knowledge of specialized, middle-market, commercial lending products, processes, and applicable banking regulations
• Demonstrated applied thinking skills to adapt regulatory requirements to unique lending verticals
• Experience designing and implementing first line risk controls and monitoring programs
• Ability to effectively partner with business leaders while maintaining independent risk judgment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Outstanding problem-solving and time management skills
• Self-motivated, self-directed, and results-oriented
• Adaptable and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams with a solution-oriented mindset

$130,000 - $160,000 a year The pay range for this position is above. The specific rate will depend on the successful candidate's qualifications and prior experience $130,000 (entry level qualifications) to $160,000 (highly experienced).

Position Requirements:
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are capable of performing their job position. Work is primarily conducted in an office setting while certain positions may allow for remote work through the use of technology at management discretion. The functions described below are representative of those to successfully perform duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees to perform the essential functions.

While performing…