CRE Commercial Senior Portfolio Manager

Fifth Third Bank • Chicago, IL

7d • $96,500 - $207,500

About The Position

The Senior Portfolio Manager manages a commercial real estate (CRE) portfolio through comprehensive financial analysis, forward-looking risk assessment, and proactive monitoring of borrower performance. The role involves regular client interaction, ownership of portfolio risk outcomes, and accountability for compliance with credit policy and regulatory guidelines, with an emphasis on identifying emerging credit and portfolio-level risks early.

As a senior member of the coverage team, the Senior Portfolio Manager works closely with Relationship Managers and Credit Risk throughout the deal lifecycle, including credit structuring, pricing, risk ratings, and due diligence. The role also supports a positive customer experience and is accountable for identifying, assessing, managing, monitoring, and reporting risks within the Bank’s risk appetite.

The position may include direct supervision of junior portfolio management team members, including providing performance feedback, coaching, employee development, and succession planning. The role is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of experience in CRE portfolio management or underwriting.
• Subject matter expert-level understanding of accounting, credit analysis, portfolio management, structuring, underwriting, and legal documentation.
• Strong risk judgment and demonstrated ability to manage complex and higher-risk portfolios.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with business and risk partners.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, complex transactions, and strategic initiatives while meeting deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing guidance to, coaching, or reviewing the work of junior staff; preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an independent, current, and forward-looking assessment of each client’s creditworthiness and communicate risk perspectives to business and risk partners.
• Monitor the portfolio and conduct periodic deal reviews; approve or recommend renewals, modifications, or exits as appropriate.
• Analyze historical financial statements and projections to support accurate risk ratings, identify emerging credit issues, and explain industry and company trends.
• Manage underwriting, approval, and documentation for new-money transactions, renewals, extensions, amendments, waivers, and ancillary products.
• Review and recommend credit decisions, complete final risk-rating analysis, interpret credit policy for business partners, and escalate non-standard or higher-risk requests.
• Ensure compliance with internal credit policies, regulatory guidelines, and documentation standards.
• Manage a larger and more complex portfolio, potentially including higher-risk, lead-bank, and high-touch client relationships.
• Collaborate with Relationship Managers and Credit Risk as an active coverage-team member.
• Meet with prospects and clients as needed, lead diligence discussions for assigned relationships, and support escalated discussions with senior leadership.
• Provide guidance on deal structures, pricing, and risk-mitigation strategies.
• Create and deliver portfolio performance reports and presentations for senior management, including risk insights and recommendations.
• Maintain accurate and complete system records and electronic credit files to support data governance and regulatory readiness.
• Participate in senior-level team meetings and contribute input on portfolio themes, risk trends, and process improvements.
• Lead or participate in special projects and strategic initiatives to improve portfolio management practices and systems.
• Review junior team members’ work for accuracy and consistency and provide coaching and feedback to Credit Analysts.
• Where supervisory duties apply, direct junior portfolio management team members’ day-to-day work, provide timely and constructive performance feedback, develop employees, support succession planning, and recognize accomplishments.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits programs supporting employees’ and families’ physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being.
• Eligible to participate in an incentive compensation plan, with payments based on company, line-of-business, and/or individual performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior