Chief Lending Officer

The client is seeking a Chief Lending Officer to lead and grow lending performance while maintaining and strengthening the existing loan portfolio and meeting production targets. This role will nurture current referral relationships and develop new channels, with a focus on delivering a welcoming customer experience. Key responsibilities include leading sales and lending efforts across commercial, specialty, and consumer lending; providing leadership and coaching to lenders in partnership with credit and loan processing teams; and overseeing the lending pipeline and loan request lifecycle, including delinquency management. The Chief Lending Officer will manage internal sales activities tied to inbound referrals for specialty lending, guide asset-quality monitoring, ensure appropriate action steps for delinquent relationships, and keep senior leadership informed on major sales-team issues. The role also involves developing and maintaining calling programs for prospects and centers of influence, partnering with commercial lenders and branch managers to support cross-selling of bank products and services, and participating in Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) activities. The client expects a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in business, accounting, or finance, with an MBA preferred; typically ten years of commercial banking experience with at least five years related to commercial credit review or commercial credit experience; and demonstrated leadership with strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and independent work skills. Proficiency with common Windows Office applications is expected, and direct lending and lending/sales management experience, along with consumer lending experience, is ideal. Confidential