Loan Review Manager - Iselin, NJ

How would you join one of the most highly regarded financial institutions in New Jersey with deep roots in the community? Provident is a successful and highly regarded multi-billion-dollar bank that continues to grow with branches in New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania and New York. Our longevity is a testament to our commitment to placing our employees, customers and the communities we serve at the center of all we do. At Provident Bank, we are committed to enhancing our customer and employee experience.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Chief Risk Officer, the Loan Review Manager oversees, administers, and continuously enhances the Bank's independent Loan Review Program. This position provides objective and credible second-line oversight of credit quality, risk rating accuracy, underwriting practices, documentation standards, portfolio trends, and compliance with Bank policies and regulatory expectations. Operating independently from loan origination, underwriting, and approval functions, the Loan Review Manager conducts risk-based assessments of the Bank’s loan portfolio and credit administration processes. The role provides effective challenge, identifies emerging credit risks and control weaknesses, and delivers concise executive-level reporting and actionable recommendations that strengthen the Bank’s credit risk management framework. The Loan Review Manager oversees the program through an internal, outsourced, or hybrid review model and may directly perform loan reviews and portfolio assessments when additional resources are needed. The role manages third-party review providers, validates findings and corrective actions, tracks remediation, and supports reporting to Senior Management, the Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Independent Credit Review and Effective Challenge Perform and oversee independent reviews of commercial and consumer credit exposures, with emphasis on higher-risk, complex, criticized, watch-list, and concentration segments. Conduct loan reviews and portfolio assessments in support of the approved Loan Review Plan. Evaluate credit quality, underwriting, risk rating accuracy, policy compliance, documentation, and credit administration practices. Provide effective challenge, identify emerging risks, and recommend corrective actions that strengthen portfolio quality and risk management. Loan Review Program Oversight Develop, maintain, and execute a risk-based Loan Review Program, including annual planning, portfolio risk assessment, review scope, sampling, schedules, quality standards, documentation, and reporting protocols. Oversee third-party loan review providers and validate that work is completed in accordance with Bank expectations, approved scope, policy requirements, and applicable regulatory guidance. Reporting, Analytics and Portfolio Insights Prepare clear, concise, and board-ready reporting on portfolio quality, risk rating trends, credit themes, underwriting or documentation weaknesses, exception patterns, risk migration, emerging risks, and corrective actions. Use portfolio data, management information, and review results to provide an independent view of credit risk and support broader risk reporting, including relevant input to allowance and credit-loss governance without assuming ownership of those processes. Governance, Stakeholder Engagement and Regulatory Readiness Maintain an engaged second-line presence across the credit lifecycle through regular interaction with Lending, Credit Administration, Credit Risk, Finance, Internal Audit, Compliance, and Executive Management. Participate in relevant committees and portfolio discussions as an independent, non-approval risk voice. Support regulatory, external audit, internal audit, and Board/Audit Committee inquiries related to Loan Review governance, methodology, findings, and issue follow-up. Issue Management and Program Evolution Identify, document, communicate, and track Loan Review findings and themes through appropriate governance channels. Discuss findings constructively with business partners and management, monitor remediation, and validate closure when appropriate. Recommend enhancements to methodologies, reporting, policies, staffing, technology, data, and the operating model as the Bank’s portfolio, complexity, and regulatory expectations evolve.

OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES

No direct reports initially; future direct reports may be added as the Loan Review function matures. Provide functional oversight of outsourced Loan Review providers and other external resources supporting the program. Provide guidance and coordination to internal stakeholders involved in review activities, portfolio analysis, reporting, and remediation. Assist in developing the Bank’s long-term Loan Review operating model, including potential internal staffing, hybrid review structures, and program enhancements.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Risk Management, or a related field required. An advanced degree or equivalent specialized banking, credit, or risk-management training is preferred. Relevant directly related experience may be considered in substitution where appropriate. Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in commercial credit, loan review, credit risk review, credit administration, underwriting, portfolio management, internal audit, bank regulatory supervision, or a closely related financial-services discipline. Direct experience conducting or managing independent loan review, credit review, or credit risk oversight activities strongly preferred. Experience evaluating risk ratings, criticized/classified assets, policy exceptions, underwriting standards, documentation quality, and portfolio trends required. Experience managing third-party loan review providers, outsourced engagements, or hybrid review models preferred. Experience preparing reports for senior management, executive committees, Board/Audit Committee audiences, regulators, or auditors preferred. Prior management, team leadership, or workstream leadership experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Advanced knowledge of commercial credit fundamentals, credit administration, underwriting, portfolio management, loan grading/risk rating systems, collateral analysis, covenant monitoring, and criticized/classified asset practices. Strong understanding of independent credit risk review principles, regulatory expectations for effective credit risk review systems, and second-line risk oversight. Experience with CRE, C&I, construction, multifamily, owner-occupied real estate, consumer/residential, and/or specialized lending portfolios preferred, depending on the Bank’s portfolio composition. Ability to analyze financial statements, tax returns, cash flow, debt service coverage, guarantor support, collateral valuations, repayment sources, borrower industry conditions, and transaction structure. Strong analytical, critical-thinking, professional skepticism, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and project-management skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and portfolio/reporting tools; familiarity with loan-review software, data analytics, or dashboarding tools preferred. Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and maintain sound documentation standards.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

None required. Preferred certifications or training may include RMA Credit Risk Certification (CRC), Certified Risk Professional (CRP), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), CPA, formal commercial lending/credit training, or another relevant credit or risk-management certification.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a normal office environment. Noise levels are usually moderate, and hazards are primarily those present in a normal office setting.

PAY AND BENEFITS

$177,000 - $203,000 annually Please note: The base pay actually offered may vary based upon the candidate’s skills and experience, job-related knowledge, education, geographic location, internal equity, and other applicable business and organizational needs. This role is incentive eligible based upon company, business, and/or individual goal achievement and performance. Team members accrue Paid Time Off (PTO), receive paid Holidays, and are eligible to participate in the Bank’s Health and Wellness benefits, including Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and a 401(k) Retirement Plan. Additional benefits include Disability Insurance, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Basic Life Insurance. Company-sponsored Tuition Disbursement and Loan Repayment programs are also available. Voluntary benefits include Supplemental Life Insurance, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Legal Plans.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This job description may not be all-inclusive. Employees are expected to perform other duties as assigned and directed by management. Job descriptions and duties may be modified when deemed appropriate by management. Provident Bank recognizes and supports the importance of creating a socially and culturally diverse employee base. We understand, value, and appreciate the unique perspectives that a diverse workforce can contribute to our organization. We put the employee and the customer at the center of strategy because culture is a critical differentiator for why people choose to work here. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. About Provident Bank For more than 180years, Provident Bank has served individuals, families, and businesses in our local communities with personal and business banking services. Volunteering is a Way of Life Our brand promise - “Commitment you can count on” - supports the investments we make in the community and donations made by our employees. It’s a promise also reflected in the volunteerism of our employees, who lend time and talent and countless hours to assist hundreds of organizations and thousands of people and animals each year. Why do we love it? We get to volunteer in areas that are meaningful to the bank and impactful in the community. Through generous contributions, we have raised over $912,000 in 2022. No item or donation is too small; we find a home for it all. #J-18808-Ljbffr Provident Bank