Special Assets Credit Manager

Columbia Bank•Fair Lawn, NJ

8h•$99,969 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Special Assets Credit Manager is responsible for the analysis, administration, and portfolio surveillance of complex criticized and classified commercial loan relationships. The position evaluates borrower and guarantor financial performance, collateral support, repayment capacity, risk ratings, and emerging credit concerns, and provides analytical support and recommendations regarding credit and resolution strategies. Working closely with the Director of Special Assets, this position serves as a key analytical resource supporting the administration and oversight of complex criticized and classified commercial credit relationships. The role works across Commercial Lending, Credit Administration, Loan Operations, Legal, Appraisal, and other departments to support effective credit administration and informed decision-making. It administers credit-risk analysis and portfolio surveillance, prepares quarterly Credit Review Memoranda, monitors collateral-related risks, coordinates recurring requirements, and develops reporting and management information. The position also supports audits, loan reviews, and regulatory examinations; maintains knowledge of applicable banking regulations and practices; and uses banking systems and analytical technologies to improve data quality and departmental processes. Other job-related duties and participation in departmental projects and initiatives may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field.
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in commercial credit, underwriting, portfolio management, credit risk, credit review, special assets, or a related commercial banking discipline.
Strong commercial credit underwriting and financial analysis skills, including financial statements, cash flow, collateral, covenant compliance, repayment capacity, and risk-rating assessment.
Experience with criticized/classified asset administration, risk-rating methodologies, and identification and escalation of material credit risks.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing and presenting credit analyses and management reports to senior management, committees, auditors, and regulators.
Experience working across commercial lending, credit administration, loan operations, appraisal, legal, risk management, and other internal or external stakeholder groups.
Ability to collaborate across organizational functions while maintaining accountability and exercising sound professional judgment.
Advanced proficiency in Excel and commercial banking systems, with experience developing reporting tools, dashboards, and analytical solutions to support decision-making.
Strong understanding of data integrity and ability to reconcile information across banking systems, financial statements, loan documentation, and other source records.
Demonstrated aptitude for learning and applying new systems, methodologies, analytical tools, and technologies.
Strong organizational and project-management capabilities, including ownership of recurring and ad hoc deliverables, competing priorities, and deadlines.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams.
Comfort using multiple systems and digital tools in a fast-paced banking environment, with strong computer skills including virtual collaboration, document management, and reporting tools.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
Formal commercial credit training or equivalent demonstrated underwriting experience.
Professional certification or advanced training in commercial credit, enterprise risk management, financial analysis, portfolio management, or a related discipline.
Exposure to, or willingness to learn, emerging workplace technologies.

Responsibilities

Administer credit-risk analysis and portfolio surveillance for criticized and classified commercial loan relationships, identifying changes in credit quality, emerging risks, and matters requiring management attention.
Perform comprehensive financial and credit analysis of borrower and guarantor performance, cash flow, debt service coverage, leverage, liquidity, contingent liabilities, collateral coverage, secondary repayment sources, and other factors affecting repayment capacity and credit risk.
Prepare quarterly Credit Review Memoranda incorporating financial, collateral, and credit-risk analysis to support portfolio management, risk-rating justification, loss mitigation, and internal and regulatory review requirements.
Monitor collateral-related risks, including valuation, insurance, lien position, lien perfection, and other matters affecting collateral coverage and the Bank's secured position.
Contribute to departmental operations, initiatives, and team objectives.
Coordinate administrative and information requirements among internal and external stakeholders, including Commercial Lending, Credit Administration, Loan Operations, Legal, and Appraisal.
Coordinate recurring requirements such as appraisals, financial reporting, insurance, covenant documentation, litigation milestones, and other deliverables.
Maintain accurate data and reporting systems and support initiatives to improve data quality, analytics, and operational efficiency.
Develop and deliver reporting, dashboards, risk assessments, and management information for departmental oversight, senior management, committees, auditors, and regulators.
Support audit, loan review, and regulatory examinations by coordinating information, validating supporting documentation, and responding to inquiries within assigned responsibilities.
Represent the Special Assets Department in meetings, presentations, examinations, and discussions relating to assigned responsibilities and departmental initiatives, as requested by management.
Maintain current knowledge of applicable banking regulations, interagency guidance, commercial lending practices, problem-loan and loss-mitigation strategies, risk-rating principles, and industry trends.
Maintain proficiency with the Bank's commercial banking, credit administration, financial analysis, reporting, and data-management systems.
Use technology to organize and analyze data, identify credit trends and exceptions, develop management reporting, and improve the accuracy and efficiency of departmental processes.
Maintain an understanding of data integrity and governance principles supporting reliable portfolio surveillance, management reporting, audit, and regulatory review.
Evaluate and appropriately use emerging analytical and productivity technologies, including artificial intelligence tools where authorized by Bank policy.
Participate in professional development, knowledge sharing, and collaborative departmental activities that promote team effectiveness, operational consistency, and continuous improvement.
Perform other job-related duties and participate in departmental projects and initiatives as assigned.

Benefits

Contributory medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
Bonus programs.
Employee Stock Option Program (ESOP).
Life insurance, long-term disability, and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
Paid Time Off, including personal and vacation time.
Paid sick time.
Bank holidays.
Participation in the 401(k) program.
Wellness resources.
Education and student loan programs.
Financial protection.