Indirect Lending Manager

Erie Federal Credit Union•Erie, PA

About The Position

The Indirect Lending Manager provides day-to-day leadership and operational management for the Credit Union’s Indirect Lending Department. The role oversees departmental operations, staff development, dealer relationships, underwriting consistency, service quality, and compliance with established policies and regulatory requirements. Working closely with the VP of Indirect Lending Services, the manager executes departmental strategies, supports sustainable loan growth, improves operational efficiency, maintains portfolio quality, and delivers service to dealership partners and members. The role fosters a high-performing team environment through coaching, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The manager oversees workflows and lending decisions, monitors performance and portfolio indicators, supports staff on lending policies and underwriting decisions, and maintains dealership relationships. The position exercises lending authority within approved limits and may process applications when needed, including during staffing shortages or peak volumes. It also contributes to departmental initiatives, process and technology improvements, reporting, recruiting, training, performance management, and succession planning. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and at least five years of lending experience, including indirect or consumer lending, with at least three years of supervisory or leadership experience. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Management, or a related field is preferred. Local travel may be needed. Physical demands include continuous sitting and driving; frequent standing and walking; occasional crawling, climbing, balancing, overhead and forward reaching, lifting or carrying 25–50 pounds, kneeling, squatting, pushing or pulling, bending, and twisting.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least five years of lending experience, including indirect or consumer lending experience.
At least three years of supervisory or leadership experience.
Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills for interacting with employees, members, dealers, vendors, and management.
Thorough knowledge of indirect lending, consumer lending, underwriting practices, dealership operations, applicable regulations, and industry best practices.
Business acumen, analytical, decision-making, and negotiation skills to balance growth, portfolio quality, risk management, and member service.
Ability to coach, motivate, and develop employees and foster accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and high performance.
Knowledge of Credit Union policies, procedures, products, and services, particularly indirect lending, consumer lending, and member acquisition.
Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations governing indirect lending, including NCUA regulations, Fair Lending requirements, and other consumer protection laws.
Strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Professionalism, confidentiality, and sound judgment when handling sensitive information.
Strong analytical and mathematical skills, including the ability to interpret lending metrics, reports, portfolio trends, and financial data.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and lending-related technology, including loan origination systems, reporting tools, and business applications.
Ability to travel locally as needed for dealer relationships, business development events, training, and industry conferences.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Management, or a related field.
Experience within a financial institution is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day department operations, workflows, timely loan decisions, and service-level standards.
Supervise, coach, develop, and support staff, fostering accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and member service.
Monitor performance and productivity metrics and recommend improvements to efficiency, service quality, and loan growth.
Maintain dealer relationships and serve as a primary contact for operational matters, issue resolution, and program support.
Address dealer inquiries, concerns, and escalated issues promptly and professionally.
Monitor approved but unfunded loans and dealership pipeline activity to improve funding rates and loan production.
Guide Indirect Loan Officers and support staff on policies, procedures, underwriting decisions, and exception requests.
Review and escalate significant policy exceptions, fraud concerns, dealer contract violations, and other material risks to the VP of Indirect Lending Services as appropriate.
Maintain knowledge of applicable regulations, compliance requirements, and industry best practices for indirect lending.
Exercise lending authority within approved limits and process loan applications as needed, including providing coverage during staffing shortages or peak volumes.
Assist with departmental initiatives, promotional campaigns, dealer programs, and business development efforts supporting loan and membership growth.
Partner with the VP of Indirect Lending Services on process improvements, technology enhancements, and operational initiatives.
Monitor loan quality, dealer performance, delinquency, and portfolio indicators; identify concerns and recommend corrective actions.
Conduct performance evaluations, coaching sessions, and employee development planning in accordance with Credit Union policies and timeframes.
Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, and succession planning.
Prepare, review, and distribute departmental reports and performance information as requested by the VP and executive management.
Maintain knowledge of Credit Union products, services, policies, procedures, and lending programs and ensure consistent application.
Ensure compliance with Credit Union policies and procedures and applicable federal and state regulations, including NCUA requirements.