Senior Commercial Middle Market Portfolio Manager

Fifth Third Bank • Costa Mesa, CA

7d • $96,500 - $207,500

About The Position

The Senior Commercial Middle Market Portfolio Manager manages a portfolio through comprehensive financial analysis, forward-looking risk assessment, and proactive monitoring of borrower performance. The role includes regular client interaction, ownership of portfolio risk outcomes, and accountability for adherence to credit policy and regulatory guidelines, with a focus on early identification of emerging credit issues and portfolio-level risks. As a senior member of the coverage team, the Portfolio Manager partners closely with Relationship Managers and Credit Risk throughout the deal lifecycle, including credit structuring, pricing, risk ratings, and due diligence.

The role is accountable for risk and for following policies and procedures, while supporting positive experiences for customers and colleagues. It involves managing a larger, more complex portfolio, which may include higher-risk, lead-bank, and high-touch client relationships. The position may also include direct supervision and day-to-day direction of junior portfolio management team members, along with performance feedback, employee development, and succession planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of experience in commercial banking, portfolio management, underwriting, or a related discipline.
• Subject-matter-expert-level understanding of accounting, credit analysis, portfolio management, structuring, underwriting, and legal documentation.
• Strong risk judgment and demonstrated ability to manage complex and higher-risk portfolios.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with business and risk partners.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, complex transactions, and strategic initiatives while meeting deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing guidance or coaching, or reviewing the work of junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an independent, current, and forward-looking view of each client's creditworthiness and communicate risk perspectives to business and risk partners.
• Perform ongoing monitoring and periodic deal reviews; approve or recommend renewals, modifications, or exits as appropriate.
• Analyze historical financials and projections to support accurate risk ratings, identify emerging credit issues, and articulate industry and company trends.
• Manage underwriting, approval, and documentation for new-money transactions, renewals, extensions, amendments, waivers, and ancillary products.
• Review and recommend credit decisions, perform final risk-rating analysis, interpret credit policy for business partners, and escalate non-standard or higher-risk requests.
• Ensure compliance with internal credit policies, regulatory guidelines, and documentation standards.
• Manage a larger and more complex portfolio, potentially including higher-risk, lead-bank, and high-touch client relationships.
• Collaborate with Relationship Managers and Credit Risk as an active member of the coverage team.
• Meet with prospects and clients as needed, lead diligence discussions for assigned relationships, and support escalated discussions alongside senior leadership.
• Provide guidance on deal structures, pricing, and risk-mitigation strategies.
• Create and deliver portfolio performance reports and presentations for senior management, including risk insights and recommendations.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of system records and electronic credit files to support data governance and regulatory readiness.
• Participate in senior-level team meetings and provide input on portfolio themes, risk trends, and process improvements.
• Lead or participate in special projects and strategic initiatives to improve portfolio management practices and systems.
• Review junior team members' work for accuracy and consistency, and provide coaching and feedback to Credit Analysts.
• If supervising employees, provide timely, candid, and constructive performance feedback; develop employees and succession capacity; offer career-growth opportunities; and recognize and reward accomplishments.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits designed to support employees' and families' physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being.
• Eligibility to participate in an incentive compensation plan, with payments based on company, line-of-business, and/or individual performance.

What This Job Offers

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