Head of Commercial Real Estate Banking

City National Bank • Los Angeles, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Head of Commercial Real Estate Banking is a senior leadership role responsible for setting the strategic direction, driving business performance, and ensuring the operational excellence of the Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Banking division. The position leads a team of regional managers, relationship managers, loan officers, and support professionals in delivering comprehensive commercial real estate lending solutions to middle-market and institutional clients while achieving profitable growth and maintaining a strong risk management framework. Reporting to the President of Commercial Banking, this role partners closely with leaders across the Bank's wholesale banking businesses to develop integrated client strategies, maximize cross-selling opportunities, and enhance overall client value. The incumbent also serves as a key external representative of City National Bank cultivating relationships with industry participants, clients, and community leaders while monitoring market trends, competitive developments, and industry best practices to inform business strategy.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent
• 10+ years of experience in the financial services industry working with commercial banking clients as well as large, sophisticated institutional / corporate banking clients with an emphasis on commercial real estate.
• 10+ years of experience leading teams with regional or national front-line relationship management and coverage organization within a fast paced, growth-oriented financial services environment of substantial size and complexity.

Nice To Haves

• Proven ability to establish City National Bank and RBC as a competitive force in commercial real estate lending through innovative strategies, market positioning, and thought leadership in target geographies and property types.
• Demonstrated capability to identify emerging market trends, anticipate economic cycles and real estate sector shifts, and proactively develop competitive strategies that drive sustainable growth and market share expansion.
• Extensive track record originating high-quality, performing commercial real estate loans across diverse asset classes (multifamily, industrial, office, retail, mixed-use) with demonstrated ability to manage risk while maximizing profitability.
• Exceptional ability to identify and penetrate cross-sell opportunities within City National Bank's existing institutional client base while simultaneously building meaningful relationships with commercial real estate owners, operators, brokers, institutional investors, and market participants.
• Strategic approach to building balanced, resilient loan portfolios across geographies, property types, and borrower profiles while maintaining rigorous credit standards and risk management discipline.
• National-level credit analysis and underwriting capabilities with deep understanding of commercial real estate loan structures, cash flow analysis, borrower strength assessment, and collateral valuation across all major property types.
• Sophisticated understanding of geographic, economic, and sector-specific risks; ability to structure and price loans appropriately for risk profile while maintaining portfolio quality and capital efficiency.
• Unwavering commitment to balancing growth objectives with rigorous underwriting standards, ensuring loan quality and portfolio integrity as a steward of City National Bank's capital and reputation.
• Proven ability to recruit, attract, and retain top commercial real estate talent; expertise in building high-performing origination teams with complementary skills, deep market relationships, and commitment to excellence.
• Demonstrated capability to lead by example as a productive originator while simultaneously coaching, mentoring, and developing emerging lenders and underwriting professionals; known for building bench strength and succession pipelines.
• Ability to foster a collaborative, high-integrity culture that attracts and retains talented professionals; serves as a trusted advisor and role model for ethical behavior, continuous learning, and organizational commitment.
• Recognized as a trusted strategic advisor to institutional clients, borrowers, and market participants; able to understand complex business needs and structure tailored financing solutions that create mutual value.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work effectively across organizational levels and business units to drive cross-selling, share intelligence, and leverage City National Bank's and RBC’s full suite of capabilities.
• Strong reputation and credibility in the commercial real estate market; ability to represent City National Bank and RBC with distinction and build the bank's brand as a premier wholesale lending partner.
• Track record managing significant loan production targets while maintaining disciplined cost management, profitability standards, and return on capital metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and exceed ambitious annual loan production goals while maintaining portfolio quality metrics, risk limits, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills; able to model loan structures, evaluate risk-return profiles, and make data-driven strategic decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead, build and develop a talented and creative team with sufficient knowledge, skills, and experience to successfully support the goals of the Commercial Real Estate Banking Division.
• Responsible for oversight and direction of the Bank’s Commercial Real Estate Banking division.
• Develop and execute comprehensive CRE banking business plans and strategies aligned with RBC's corporate objectives and market opportunities.
• Meet the line of business financial targets and deliver against all operating plans, drive revenue growth, expense management, margin / profitability enhancement, and credit quality.
• Operate within a robust control environment, ensuring that all activities and operations are carried out in full compliance with legal, regulatory, and internal policies and procedures.
• Play an active role in business development and winning new clients, while also deepening and broadening relationships and share of wallet among existing customers.
• Lead market analysis and competitive positioning to identify emerging opportunities, market trends, and strategic initiatives.
• Leverage immediate opportunities to attract and build relationships introduced through the Wealth Management, Private Banking, and Entertainment segments and vice-versa.
• Communicate long-term direction and collaborate with leadership and extended team on how to reach and achieve objectives.
• Inspire and encourage continued process improvements and enhancements, focused on creating enhanced client experiences and additional efficiencies.
• Enhance product and service delivery to ensure continued high levels of client loyalty and retention.
• Maintains appropriate staffing ratios and manages resources to optimize client support and unit profitability.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage, including Medical, Dental and Vision plans, available the first of the month following start date
• Generous 401(k) company matching contribution
• Career Development through Tuition Reimbursement and other internal upskilling and training resources
• Valued Time Away benefits including vacation, sick and volunteer time
• Specialized health and family planning benefits including fertility benefits, and cancer, diabetes and musculoskeletal support programs
• Career Mobility support from a dedicated recruitment team
• Colleague Resource Groups to support networking and community engagement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree