C&I Lending Team Lead

Alma Bank•New York, NY

7d•$170,000 - $190,000

About The Position

Alma Bank is seeking an experienced, entrepreneurial C&I Lending Team Lead to establish and grow its middle-market Commercial & Industrial lending platform. This senior-level leadership role is for a commercial banking executive with market relationships, business development success, and experience building high-performing teams. The Team Lead will originate and manage profitable commercial banking relationships, generate core deposits and treasury management opportunities, and serve as the foundation for a growing C&I lending team. The role will help expand Alma Bank’s commercial banking presence throughout the New York metropolitan market while upholding the Bank’s commitment to credit quality, relationship banking, and client service. It focuses on developing complete banking relationships that include commercial loans, business deposits, treasury management services, and related fee-generating opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
10–15 years of commercial banking experience.
Significant experience originating and managing Commercial & Industrial relationships.
Demonstrated success developing middle-market and lower-middle-market commercial clients.
Proven track record generating commercial loans and operating deposits.
Established network of business contacts and centers of influence throughout the New York metropolitan market.
Strong understanding of treasury management services and commercial banking products.
Strong business development and relationship management skills.
Comprehensive commercial credit and underwriting expertise.
Exceptional financial analysis and loan structuring capabilities.
Thorough understanding of commercial banking regulations and risk management principles.
Ability to balance growth objectives with sound credit practices.
Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building capabilities.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and negotiation skills.
Ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.

Nice To Haves

MBA, Graduate School of Banking, or other advanced banking credentials.
Previous experience leading teams, mentoring lenders, or managing commercial banking personnel.
Experience with owner-occupied commercial real estate lending.
History of consistent commercial loan production over multiple years, meaningful core deposit generation, strong treasury management utilization, high client retention, sound credit performance, and deep community engagement and referral networks.

Responsibilities

Originate and develop new Commercial & Industrial lending relationships with middle-market and lower-middle-market businesses.
Build and maintain profitable commercial banking relationships, including operating companies and owner-occupied commercial real estate borrowers.
Source loan opportunities through prospecting, referral sources, professional networks, and other business development activities.
Develop and execute calling plans to attract lending and deposit relationships, and maintain an active calling program.
Expand the Bank’s visibility in the market and represent it at industry events, networking functions, trade associations, and community organizations.
Acquire core operating deposit relationships, including DDA and treasury management services; promote treasury products and partner internally to increase utilization and fee income.
Develop complete banking relationships rather than loan-only relationships.
Serve as senior leader of the Bank’s C&I lending initiative.
Assist executive management with recruiting, onboarding, and developing relationship managers, portfolio managers, and commercial banking staff.
Foster a collaborative, relationship-focused sales culture and mentor junior lenders and commercial banking professionals.
Coordinate work among relationship managers, credit administration, treasury management, and operations teams.
Provide market intelligence and strategic recommendations regarding commercial banking growth opportunities.
Structure and negotiate commercial loan transactions consistent with Bank policy and sound banking practices.
Prepare and present credit opportunities for approval within established lending authority.
Understand borrower financial performance, industry conditions, and credit risk; monitor portfolio performance and proactively identify emerging credit issues.
Ensure adherence to credit policies, regulatory requirements, and risk management standards, working with Credit Administration to maintain underwriting discipline and portfolio quality.
Participate in developing and executing the Bank’s commercial banking growth strategy and identify opportunities to expand market share in targeted geographies and industries.
Support annual business plans, production goals, and strategic initiatives; provide pipeline forecasts and production updates to executive management.
Contribute to performance targets covering loan production, portfolio growth, deposits, treasury management and fee income, relationship profitability, credit quality, client acquisition and retention, team development, and strategic growth.