Collateral Management Loan Specialist

At Ocean First Bank, each one of our employees plays an important role in delivering value to our customers and executing daily tasks in accordance with our core values. We recognize that our employees are essential to our success, making Ocean First a great place to work and do business.

Great benefits include: on-site fitness facility at Red Bank and Toms River headquarter offices, employee perks & discount programs, tuition assistance, incentive compensation program, professional development opportunities, and more! Apply today to #Become Ocean First  and make an impact in the local community.

The Collateral Management Loan Specialist provides technical expertise and oversight for the review, preparation, and maintenance of collateral documentation supporting secured lending. The role ensures adherence to regulatory requirements, internal policies and procedures related to lien perfection, collateral release processes, and insurance compliance. The Specialist serves as a resource to staff by offering guidance on complex documentation, tax and insurance matters, risk identification, and process execution.

They conduct detailed research, review recorded loan documents, support internal and external inquiries, and contribute to smooth operational workflow across the department.

• Supports operational efficiency by ensuring tasks are completed accurately and timely, and customer inquiries are handled promptly and professionally, creating a reliable and positive experience for borrowers, internal parties and third‑party agents.
• Assists with reviews for completeness of collateral records, tax, escrow, and insurance data maintained on the core system and data records tracked by third‑party vendors used by the collateral management team.
• Conducts comprehensive research on loan files, documents, and property records to resolve internal and external inquiries, while providing subject matter expertise on collateral documentation, tax, and insurance issues.
• Completes and reviews full and partial collateral releases across all collateral types, applying legal document review skills to ensure accuracy, proper lien release, and compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Ensures collateral documentation across all collateral types meet standards for lien perfection, priority, and enforce ability.
• Reviews UCC filings, continuations, amendments, and terminations to verify that all filings satisfy statutory requirements for establishing or maintaining perfected security interests.
• Reviews insurance policies, declarations pages, endorsements, and certificates to confirm they meet loan and collateral coverage requirements.
• Identifies and communicates deficiencies in coverage, naming conventions, endorsements, and policy limits.
• Provides subject‑matter guidance to internal teams regarding insurance documentation standards and correction procedures.
• Assists with gathering information for audits, loan sales and other external requests as needed.
• Keeps current knowledge of all related systems including the core banking system, tax tracking, insurance tracking, loan origination, and collateral tracking systems used by the Collateral Management Team.
• Reviews, develops, and updates department procedures, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, legal standards, and current departmental practices.
• Recommends improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce operational, compliance and legal risk.
• Cross‑trains to support functions including collateral releases, payoff quotes, UCC, tax and insurance processing.
• Understands the compliance requirements for Loan Operations to ensure files are maintained in accordance with regulations.
• Assists with conversions, mergers and other special projects.

• Strong verbal, written, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to read and understand loan documents including security agreements, mortgage documents, UCC filings, and insurance policies.
• Detail‑oriented and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage various assignments simultaneously and meet required deadlines.
• Computer proficiency in bank systems, MS Office Suite, and loan operation programs.
• Strong research skills, including the ability to review public records, property searches, recorded liens, and supporting legal filings.