Vice President, Small Business

First National Bank•Omaha, NE

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The VP of Small Business Banking is a critical member of FNBO's Individual Segment leadership team, reporting directly to the SVP Individual Segment. This leader drives FNBO's small business banking strategy across our 120-branch, nine-state Midwestern footprint, integrating strategic vision with operational excellence to deliver exceptional customer experiences while driving both short-term performance and long-term profitable growth in loans and deposits. Overseeing a comprehensive ecosystem that includes branch networks, specialized advisory teams, community outreach programs, and digital platforms, this role positions FNBO as the premier small business banking partner in the region. This leader brings informed business judgment, market insights, and innovative thinking—partnering across Branch Banking, Commercial Banking, Credit, Risk, Operations, Technology, Marketing, and Finance to drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage. By balancing customer-centricity with sound financial management and risk discipline, and championing multicultural banking strategies and digital transformation, this role ensures FNBO becomes the preferred banking partner for emerging growth customers while delivering consistent, measurable results in the evolving small business marketplace.

Requirements

15+ years of progressive leadership experience in financial services, with at least 7 years in small business banking, retail banking, or commercial banking leadership roles
MBA or advanced degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field preferred
Proven success in developing and executing growth strategies for small business banking portfolios while managing P&L and achieving financial targets in complex, multi-channel banking environments
Experience leading organizational transformation, merger integration, and or major strategic initiatives
Deep understanding of small business banking products, services, credit, operational processes, banking regulations, compliance requirements, and risk management frameworks across multiple delivery channels
Strong analytical capabilities and financial acumen with ability to champion digital transformation initiatives and leverage technology, data analytics, and multicultural banking strategies to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with proven ability to influence and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups
Strategic visionary with practical execution discipline, balancing short-term performance with long-term growth while demonstrating customer-centric mindset and sound business judgment
Collaborative leadership style that fosters innovation, accountability, and cross-functional teamwork with comfort navigating ambiguity and making data-driven decisions in dynamic market conditions
Proven ability to build, develop, and retain high-performing teams with intellectual curiosity, continuous learning mindset, and passion for staying ahead of industry trends and competitive dynamics
Candidates must possess unrestricted work authorization and not require future sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field preferred

Responsibilities

Guide small business banking strategy aligned with FNBO objectives, balancing customer growth, profitability, and risk management across all channels and touchpoints
Partner across Branch Banking, Commercial Banking, Credit, Risk, Operations, Technology, Marketing, and Finance to secure resources and drive enterprise priorities
Achieve financial targets while managing P&L including budget allocation, resource optimization, and pricing strategy for competitive positioning
Monitor portfolio quality, credit performance, customer retention, and competitive landscape to inform strategic decisions and market positioning
Drive innovation in products, services, and digital capabilities with a focus on providing customers fast practical advice using a scalable and efficient operating model
Optimize delivery model across multiple functions, teams, and roles to drive operational efficiency and seamless customer experience across all touchpoints
Oversee merger integration initiatives for small business, ensuring smooth transitions and value realization
Develop and execute comprehensive multicultural banking strategies ensuring culturally relevant experiences, products, services, and engagement approaches for consumer and small business segments
Champion financial education initiatives tailored to diverse populations, build FNBO's reputation through authentic community engagement, and direct development of scalable translation and multilingual services
Gather customer insights from multicultural communities to drive continuous improvement and inform strategic decisions
Ensure regulatory compliance and adherence to bank policies while monitoring credit quality, concentration risk, and partnering with Credit, Risk, and Compliance teams on governance frameworks
Champion digital transformation and technology adoption including AI, analytics, CRM optimization, and automation to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency
Partner with Product and Technology teams on enhancement roadmap to drive competitive advantage and innovation
Build high-performing cross-functional teams and foster culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and risk-awareness that balances growth with prudent management
Develop succession planning and talent pipeline to ensure organizational sustainability and leadership continuity
Drive employee engagement and performance across all small business banking functions