Senior Manager, Credit Risk Governance & Adjudication

First Nations Bank of Canada•Saskatoon, SK

5d•CA$106,199 - CA$152,927•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Credit Governance and Adjudication supports the AVP, Credit Risk Governance and Adjudication in leading second-line oversight of credit risk across the organization. This role will initially be structured as an individual contributor position, with the potential to add a direct report as the department grows. This role is responsible for executing key elements of the credit risk governance framework, including maintaining and enhancing credit policies, monitoring adherence to underwriting standards, and ensuring risk frameworks remain effective and aligned with regulatory expectations. The Senior Manager monitors and reports on portfolio-level credit risks, supports capital planning activities, and drives improvements in governance, data quality, and risk reporting to help maintain sound credit quality and transparency across all lending activities. The Senior Manager conducts independent and objective reviews and adjudications of complex commercial lending within established credit limits, while recommending and escalating commercial deals as necessary. This position is full-time permanent based out of Head Office, Saskatoon, SK. We are open to remote or hybrid working arrangements.

Requirements

Strong understanding and experience in implementing credit risk governance frameworks, including credit policy, risk appetite, and oversight processes.
Strategic mindset with the ability to link macroeconomic trends, regulatory developments, and portfolio movements to risk appetite and governance adjustments.
Confident communicator who can deliver clear, data-driven insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders and credit committees.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities.
Strong collaborator who can influence across first and second lines while maintaining independence of thought and action.
8–10+ years of progressive experience in credit risk, credit governance, commercial lending, or portfolio oversight roles within financial services.
Strong knowledge of retail and commercial lending products, structures, and underwriting standards.
Deep understanding of credit policy development, delegated lending authority frameworks, concentration risk, and regulatory expectations.
Experience with regulatory environments and guidance (e.g., OSFI), internal audit, and second-line challenge functions.
Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field required.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated strong experience in real estate financing is preferred.
Experience with IFRS 9 staging, ECL models, and capital planning (ICAAP) is an asset.
MBA, CFA, FRM, or similar designation preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide second-line oversight and subject matter expertise in credit risk governance across the bank’s lending.
Develop, maintain, and enhance credit risk policies, risk appetite frameworks, concentration limits, and delegated lending authority matrices.
Independently review and challenge first-line adherence to policy, exception trends, and sector limits.
Monitor portfolio-wide credit risk exposures, early warning indicators, and limit compliance across all credit portfolios.
Escalate material policy breaches, emerging credit risks, or deviations from risk appetite to senior risk leadership and governance committees.
Oversee and challenge the credit classification, staging, and provisioning of problem loans and watchlist accounts. Recommend appropriate remedial actions.
Lead stress testing, scenario analysis, and climate risk overlays for the credit portfolio, ensuring integration into risk appetite and capital planning processes.
Contribute to the ICAAP by ensuring credit risk inputs, assumptions, and capital requirements are robust and well-supported.
Monitor large exposures and concentrations (e.g., by sector, geography, or borrower) and ensure alignment with credit risk appetite.
Champion improvements in credit risk data integrity, reporting automation, and system capabilities to enhance portfolio oversight and insight.
Ensure the credit portfolios are managed within the bank’s credit risk appetite, lending policies, and regulatory expectations (e.g., OSFI guidelines).
Stay current with regulatory changes (e.g., OSFI B-20), credit risk best practices, and industry trends to inform policy updates and governance practices.
Provide governance input into strategic initiatives such as new lending strategies, and entry into new markets or sectors.
Participate in internal risk committees or working groups, as assigned.
Perform other duties and projects as assigned.