VP Lending Operations

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About Columbia Credit Union

Columbia CU is a full-service financial institution with $2.3 billion in assets, over 100k members and we pride ourselves in our commitment to “Making Life Better” in the communities we serve. Since 1952, our commitment toward “Making Life Better” has earned us accolades and we are honored to be the recipient of several local community recognitions:

• Best of Clark County Award / The Columbian: 2008-2024
• Best in Business Award / Vancouver Business Journal: 2013-2025
• Corporate Philanthropy Award / Portland Business Journal: 2017-2025

Columbia CU Guiding Principles

Vision : The most trusted, respected, and sought-after financial institution, providing innovative solutions and support for our employees, members, and communities we serve.

Mission : Bringing people together to make life better for themselves and their communities.

Value Proposition: Earning your trust with knowledgeable people and digital options so you can bank “Columbia” how and when you want.

Leadership Philosophy: Leaders at Columbia CU inspire enthusiasm and accountability that drive our mission. Leaders build engagement and communicate honestly and openly. By rallying everyone around our shared vision, Leaders model and expect the best from individuals and teams.

Core Values

People - We have a passion for helping each other and our members.

Community - We have a passion for contributing to the success and growth of the communities we serve.

Financial Wellness - We have a passion for providing the financial education, tools and assistance that create financial wellness and stability for our organization, each other, our members and the communities we serve.

Benefits

• 100% paid Medical, Dental, Vision for employee - eligible the 1st of the month following hire date
• Accrued PTO, Accrued Extended Sick Time and 11 Paid Bank Holidays
• 401k Match- 100% match up to 6% employee contribution
• Tuition Assistance
• And More!

About The Role

To deliver consistent & compliant loan processing and servicing experiences to members and internal partners, across all delivery channels. Provide strategic planning and delivery of approved plan objectives. Ensure loan quality and member retention. Support referrals for cross-sale opportunity.

This position is responsible for all loan quality and supports growth goals which includes developing and administering guidelines; streamlining and creating consistent processes for loan originations and servicing; managing vendor relationships; and recruiting, hiring, training and managing teams to maximize operational efficiency across all product sets and delivery channels. The position provides direction and oversight of management within multiple functional areas, including servicing, operations, systems and collections. The VP of Lending Operations' responsibilities include designing and administering loan product delivery and support structures in addition to ensuring systems and processes are compliant with accounting, regulatory, and legal guidelines. This individual collaborates with internal partners across the organization on loan program service and support initiatives. Assists in advancing the strategic direction of the Credit Union in partnership with the VP Retail Lending, VP Home Lending and VP Commercial Lending, VP Consumer Underwriting and VP Credit Risk under the direction of the SVP - Chief Lending Officer.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direction and oversight for loan operations, servicing and collections including systems, procedures, and consistent post-origination service delivery practices across multiple lending teams. Strategic planning, goal setting, and execution.
• Responsible for the overall performance of loan accounting system administration, post-origination member experience, and related systems. Assists in the development of policy and procedures for loan operations.
• Direct operations and servicing while collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop, evaluate, and implement loan-related projects. Ensure strong relationships with key vendor partners that support the systemic operational needs of the Credit Union across multiple channels. Monitors loan processing pipelines through periodic review, continual analysis, and proper documentation. Responsible for meeting department, company and government-regulated audit and compliance requirements, including, certain pipeline reports, HMDA reports, Reg. X disclosures, and Reg. Z financial data.
• Oversee implementation of management principles and best practices to achieve department goals and initiatives. Hire and develop direct reports consistent with Columbia's values, culture and people management policies. Monitor Federal and State Regulation to effect changes to maintain adherence and compliance within the appropriate business channels assigned.
• Direct collections, operations and processing teams while collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop, evaluate, and implement loan related projects Assist Chief Lending Officer with annual budget process including developing, forecasting, and implementing department budgets.
• Ensure strong relationships with key vendor partners that support the systemic operational needs of the Credit Union across multiple channels.
• Actively participates in the real estate, auto, credit union, financial and business communities to keep abreast of emerging trends, market and regulatory changes and to establish the relevance of CCU meeting the financial goals of the communities we serve.
• Works with VP, Retail Lending; VP, Branch Services; CCU training staff, and other internal business partners to create and deliver high quality and timely product and program training.
• Actively coaches and models' behaviors concerning quality, efficiency, and member satisfaction. Uses all operations tools, including LOS, compliance software, use of various technologies and staff coaching tools to ensure a consistent and valued member experience.
• Oversees loan origination and servicing assuring compliance with all related guidelines, laws and regulations.
• Ensures delivery of investor compliant loans through effective program management.
• Provide direction to managers and supervisors around effective staff planning, selection, development, and performance management. Hire, develop, and conduct performance management for direct reports.
• Partner with HR to address employee matters as appropriate.
• Assists with special projects as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required, master's degree preferred.
• 7 years of experience leading centralized loan operations and/or servicing teams supporting a diversified lending program in a multi-state environment is preferred.
• 10 years or more of demonstrated success leading managers and support teams to successful achievement of goals is preferred.
• 7 years or more of managing P&L, goal setting, and compliance is preferred.
• 7 years or more of experience with integrated loan processing and accounting systems; vendor selection and vendor management and system administration is preferred.
• 5 years-experience with portfolio acquisitions, sales and systems conversions is preferred.
• 5 years-experience managing programs for secondary market and government sponsored programs and working knowledge of SBA program loan origination and servicing is preferred.
• Requires knowledge of loan origination and servicing systems, policies practices and performance metrics with a comprehensive understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, regulatory, creditor, and investor reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, lead and implement multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Well-developed people management and coaching skills, basic knowledge of employment laws and best practices.
• Formal knowledge of process improvement methods, tools, and best practices with certification in either Six Sigma, Lean, or Agile is preferred.
• Well-developed analytical skills and highly effective project and time management skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Internet.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct needs assessments, identify problems, develop solutions and take appropriate course of action.
• Proven and effective knowledge of loan origination and servicing systems, policies, practices and performance metrics with a comprehensive understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, regulatory, creditor, and investor reporting requirements is required.
• Working knowledge of Small Business Administration program loan origination and servicing is desired.

COMPENSATION

• $145,000-$195,000/year

Columbia Credit Union follows all required COVID 19 health protocols

Equal Opportunity Employer/AA

Must be 18 or older to apply

Skills

• Business Acumen
• Vendor Management
• Lending Regulations
• Accounting Principles
• Lending
• Program Management
• Leadership

Behaviors

• Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
• Thought Provoking: Capable of making others think deeply on a subject
• Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
• Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well