Head of Credit Risk Management

Sunwest Bank•Irvine, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Head of Credit Risk Management oversees the governance and ongoing administration of the Bank’s credit function, ensuring the strength, governance, and performance of the loan portfolio. Reporting to the Chief Credit Officer, this senior leadership role maintains portfolio quality, identifies emerging risks, and works closely with business lines, credit adjudicators, and executive management to support sound credit decisions and portfolio growth. The position is based onsite and follows a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional travel of up to 10%. The role may be located at a Sunwest Bank office in Utah, Denver, Phoenix, or Irvine. It provides supervisory leadership to assigned credit administration staff and supports the Chief Credit Officer with board reporting, portfolio analysis, and loan policy maintenance. The position requires compliance with Bank Secrecy Act requirements, the Bank’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, applicable laws and regulations, and required training. Employment is contingent on review of criminal conviction history under Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

Requirements

10–15 years of progressive experience in credit administration leadership.
Prior regulatory compliance experience and a deep understanding of credit governance, regulatory expectations, and risk management frameworks.
Demonstrated leadership experience in a complex or growth-oriented institution, including scaling credit processes and infrastructure.
A track record of improving credit process consistency and operational efficiency.
Ability to define and implement credit strategy, including risk appetite frameworks and policy development.
Strong knowledge of commercial underwriting, credit structuring, and risk assessment.
Experience with credit risk grading methodology and PD/LGD assessment.
Ability to engage strategically and tactically, including working hands-on in details when needed.
Ability to lead through change, ambiguity, and increasing organizational complexity.
Excellent communication skills and ability to translate complex matters into practical, actionable guidance.
Credibility and composure in regulatory and executive settings.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, described as light office work involving some lifting, bending, stooping or kneeling, and walking.
Compliance with Bank Secrecy Act requirements, the Bank’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, and laws, regulations, and policies applicable to the position; completion of required training.
Employment is contingent on the Bank’s review of criminal conviction history under Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

Nice To Haves

Background in problem loan remediation, loan review, or loan note or pool purchase and sale.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Chief Credit Officer and executive leadership to align credit strategy with financial, growth, and capital allocation priorities.
Oversee the Bank’s credit risk management function, including lending policies, procedures, processes, and governance, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, business initiatives, and prudent banking practices.
Improve workflows, communication, technology tools, and infrastructure to enhance efficiency and scalability.
Develop and recommend strategies to improve credit underwriting and portfolio monitoring processes in support of deal volume and organizational growth.
Work with Portfolio Managers and Underwriters to oversee the loan portfolio, monitor credit quality and concentrations, and identify emerging risks.
Monitor portfolio performance through quarterly reviews and covenant tracking, and ensure risk ratings are accurate.
Recommend appropriate strategies to mitigate emerging credit risks.
Coordinate regularly with credit adjudication executives, Special Assets, Loan Operations, Finance, Portfolio Management, Internal Audit, external loan review providers, and regulatory agencies.
Partner with the Head of Special Assets to monitor problem loan reporting and impairment analysis.
Partner with Finance to validate quarterly CECL model output.
Assist the Chief Credit Officer as a key point of contact for the loan audit process and regulatory safety and soundness examinations.
Maintain strong regulatory standing and disciplined risk governance, and serve as a liaison to regulators and external audit partners on credit-related matters.
Supervise and lead assigned credit administration staff.
Support the Chief Credit Officer in board reporting, portfolio analysis, and loan policy maintenance, and present portfolio performance, risk trends, and strategic insights clearly.