Senior Commercial Banking Executive

First Financial Bank NA • Champaign, IL

18d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Senior Commercial Banking Executive at First Financial Bank, you’ll report directly to the Chief Lending Officer and play a vital leadership role in shaping the bank’s commercial lending strategy. You’ll lead high-impact lending efforts, coach a team of relationship managers, and help drive growth across the region. This is a strategic position for a seasoned banker who thrives on developing complex client relationships, building high-performing teams, and influencing enterprise-wide outcomes through collaboration and credit expertise.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Marketing, Accounting, or related field.
• 15+ years of commercial lending experience, with leadership responsibilities.
• Proven ability to coach and manage high-performing sales teams.
• Strong commercial credit knowledge and underwriting experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to grow commercial loan and deposit portfolios.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and financial analysis software.
• Strong judgment, organization, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Willingness to travel throughout assigned markets.
• Alignment with FFB values of soundness, growth, value, accountability, and community.
• Ability to review information and details at close range (within a few feet).

Responsibilities

• Drive business growth: Lead the development and execution of regional sales strategies to meet loan, deposit, and referral targets.
• Build strategic relationships: Manage a pipeline of prospects and existing clients, focusing on complex commercial lending needs.
• Coach high-performing teams: Recruit, onboard, and mentor commercial lenders across assigned markets to support team success.
• Develop credit solutions: Guide deal structure, terms, and credit presentation in collaboration with the credit team.
• Support credit quality: Participate in credit committees and ensure appropriate risk ratings across the portfolio.
• Deliver exceptional service: Serve as a trusted advisor for business clients, offering tailored financial solutions across banking lines.
• Manage portfolios effectively: Oversee commercial loan portfolios, ensuring file maintenance, relationship development, and risk management.
• Champion collaboration: Foster referral activity across trust, retail, and mortgage to ensure comprehensive financial support for clients.
• Advance performance goals: Ensure team achievement of commercial lending scorecard metrics, including production, portfolio growth, and loan quality.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay & Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, and employer-paid life and disability insurance.
• Financial Perks:401(k) match, Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), and banking benefits.
• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off, including 11 Federal Reserve bank holidays.
• Growth Opportunities: Tuition assistance and professional development programs.
• A Supportive Culture: Integrity, collaboration, innovation, and respect are at the heart of what we do.

What This Job Offers

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