Middle Market Regional Credit Director

Columbia Bank • Irvine, CA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Middle Market Regional Credit Director provides credit support for a large, complex commercial portfolio and a team of Underwriters. The role ensures thorough analysis of new credit requests and servicing actions, compliance with bank credit quality guidelines and applicable policies, and coordinated workflows that support timely service to sales staff and customers.

The Director supports and monitors commercial loan portfolio risk, analyzes customer financial information and loan requests, and presents formal recommendations to Relationship Managers and Credit Administration. The role manages and develops credit programs and processes, makes lending decisions within established authority or escalates them, and oversees annual loan reviews, risk ratings, credit recommendations, and monitoring of collateral values and valuation practices.

The position leads and develops Underwriters, supports customer relationship development and retention, and coordinates with internal teams and external providers during credit decisions and documentation. It also requires compliance with bank policies, regulations, and required training; maintaining knowledge of applicable banking regulations; and fostering Columbia Bank’s corporate culture. The Director may coach or train others, teach coursework as a subject matter expert, and perform other assigned duties. The role is fully onsite at the posted Irvine, California location and involves occasional travel.

Requirements

• More than 10 years of experience in senior credit approval, commercial lending, and/or underwriting.
• 7–10 years of supervisory or management experience.
• Significant experience and in-depth knowledge of lending, underwriting, and the finance industry.
• Advanced knowledge of credit risk factors and the ability to appropriately rate credits.
• Extensive experience with banking regulations, policies, and methods of operation.
• Proven leadership, organizational, negotiation, decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical abilities.
• Ability to drive results in a team-oriented, goal-driven environment and partner with other leaders to maximize results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, and ability to learn new business software as needed.
• Ability to work fully onsite at the posted location.
• Occasional travel is required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field (preferred).
• Master’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Provide credit support to a large and complex commercial relationship portfolio and team of Underwriters.
• Ensure comprehensive analysis of new credit requests and servicing actions and adherence to bank credit quality guidelines and other applicable policies.
• Coordinate workflow with other work groups to support smooth credit department operations and timely service to sales staff and customers.
• Analyze financial data and loan requests, and regularly make and present formal recommendations to Relationship Managers and Credit Administration.
• Manage, develop, and implement credit programs and processes to assess loan and portfolio risk accurately and promptly and address identified risks.
• Make decisions on loans and terms within established lending limits or refer matters to the next appropriate authority level.
• Analyze whether customers and prospective customers qualify for borrowing requirements.
• Manage and develop Underwriters to produce effective, complete loan application packages and streamline application and approval processes.
• Analyze portfolio risk within risk-rating guidelines, evaluate credits, make recommendations, and monitor collateral values, valuation dates, and methodology.
• Oversee completion of annual loan reviews for each credit in the portfolio.
• Participate in developing and retaining customer relationships.
• Coordinate with internal appraisal, environmental, and legal departments and external service providers throughout credit decision and documentation processes.
• Comply with bank regulations, policies, procedures, and required annual or job-specific training; keep current on regulation changes.
• Maintain working knowledge of applicable written bank policies and procedures, including those concerning Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, and Bank Security.
• Coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as a subject matter expert when requested.
• Demonstrate and foster Columbia’s corporate culture, take personal initiative, and serve as a positive example.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions
• Employee assistance program
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Tuition assistance
• Mental health resources
• Identity theft protection
• Legal support
• Auto and home insurance
• Pet insurance
• Online discount marketplace
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick days
• Paid volunteer days
• Paid holidays
• Performance-based incentive compensation may be available

What This Job Offers

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