Vice President of Consumer Lending (Onsite)

Overview

The Vice President of Consumer Lending is a key strategic leader responsible for executing Frontwave's vision for consumer lending growth while delivering strong financial performance and exceptional member value. This role drives the expansion, profitability, and modernization of the consumer lending portfolio, ensuring alignment with the credit union's broader strategic objectives.

With a demonstrated ability to translate strategy into results, the VP of Consumer Lending provides forward-looking leadership across all delivery channels, including digital, phone center, indirect, and branch networks. The role oversees a diverse portfolio encompassing auto, credit cards, unsecured lending, solar, recreational vehicles, and motorcycles, with a focus on optimizing performance, managing risk, and enhancing the member and staff experience.

This leader is accountable for building a high-performing, collaborative culture that unifies cross-functional teams and supports enterprise-wide goals. By driving operational excellence across the full loan lifecycle from origination through servicing, the VP ensures a seamless, efficient, and member-centric experience for both members and employees.

The VP of Consumer Lending sets the strategic direction for product development, pricing, marketing, and portfolio management, while maintaining rigorous adherence to regulatory requirements and risk standards. This role also provides direct leadership to the consumer lending organization, guiding teams responsible for originations, underwriting, processing, funding, and servicing to achieve sustained growth and operational excellence.

About Frontwave Credit Union:

Frontwave Credit Union is a member-owned not-for-profit financial institution serving San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial counties. Founded in 1952, we have grown to 18 branches with 125,000 members and manage over 1.8 billion in assets. At Frontwave Credit Union, we are focused on creating consumer solutions to provide our members and the communities we serve with products and services that enhance the quality of life for our members through exceptional service and the progressive application of technology.

What's In It For You:
Competitive pay, 401k matching, mortgage and auto discounts.
9-27 days of PTO per year (based on tenure), VTO and 11 paid holidays.
Affordable medical, dental, vision health plans, and Flexible Spending Account.
Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services.
Career development, training, and coaching, mentoring; tuition reimbursement up to $4,000/year.
Culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
We strive to be the best place you've ever worked!

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Includes the following non-inclusive list. Other duties may be assigned. All duties are to be performed in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and Credit Union policies and procedures.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Partner with executive leadership to define and execute a comprehensive consumer lending strategy aligned with the Credit Union's strategic vision driving sustainable growth, profitability, and market expansion while strengthening member value and advancing the mission. Provide enterprise-level leadership for the Consumer Lending function, ensuring disciplined execution and consistent financial performance.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term strategies aligned with the Credit Union's strategic plan, with a focus on increasing market share and deepening member relationships.'
• Analyze market conditions, competitive trends, industry trends and member needs to position the organization as a leader in consumer lending.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand into new markets, channels, and product segments.
• Partner with executive leadership and key stakeholders to design and deliver innovative lending products and programs that support organizational objectives.
• Lead indirect lending strategy, including production, dealer relationships, and portfolio growth, ensuring strong acquisition and retention outcomes
• Oversee the full lifecycle of consumer lending products, including auto, credit card, unsecured, solar, and other lifestyle lending solutions.
• Oversee day-to-day consumer lending operations, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and exceptional member service.
• Establish and optimize underwriting standards, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), risk-based pricing strategies, and product structures to balance growth, risk, and member value.
• Monitor portfolio performance, identifying trends in credit quality, delinquency, and losses; implement proactive strategies to mitigate risk and enhance returns.
• Drive product innovation and enhancements based on analytics, member feedback, and market demand.
• As appropriate, develop and recommend changes to risk models, underwriting standards, programs, policies, and procedures. Collaborates with the Collections Department to monitor, identify, and mitigate emerging consumer loan portfolio risk trends.
• Manage the performance of the pricing model and decision engine in the loan origination system for optimal risk and use.
• Develop and manage the annual budget for the consumer lending department.
• Manage and continuously optimize loan pricing strategy, competitive positioning, and product development, leveraging market intelligence to ensure compelling member value and successful product launches.
• Develop promotional programs to increase loan volume and member engagement.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to oversee the Consumer Lending Quality Control program and ensure consistent adherence to products, processes, systems, and policies and procedures.
• Ensure all lending activities fully comply with applicable federal and state regulations by maintaining a deep, up-to-date understanding of relevant laws, regulatory requirements, and internal credit union policies.
• Lead audits, regulatory exams, and reviews to uphold the organization's commitment to transparency and compliance.
• Represent the organization at industry events, conferences, and community initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, regulatory agencies, and other partners.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing consumer lending team aligned with the Credit Union's mission and values.
• Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to enhance team capabilities.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability for results, service excellence, and risk management.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and member-focused service.
• Set clear performance objectives and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Directly supervise up to five (5) direct reports and indirectly supervises a large group of 20-30 employees with diversified functions. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of Consumer Lending for the organization. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; set individual and Credit Union goals, appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.


Qualifications

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's Degree in Business or related discipline. Minimum of ten (10) plus years of progressive consumer lending experience and five (5) plus years in mid-level management or higher in consumer lending directing and growing a consumer loan portfolio with in the financial industry or FinTech.


QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong thorough knowledge of consumer lending products and programs including auto, credit cards, unsecured, other secured products and solar loans.
• Proven success managing indirect auto lending programs and multi-channel lending operations.
• Strong expertise in credit risk management, underwriting, and consumer lending analytics.
• Experience with loan origination systems and automated decision engines (e.g., MeridianLink, WithClutch, or similar platforms).
• Demonstrated ability to drive growth while maintaining strong credit quality and member satisfaction.
• Knowledgeable of Consumer lending related insurance products such as Guarantee Asset Protection (GAP), Mechanical Breakdown Insurance or Protection (MBI/MBP) and Debt Protection.
• Solid loan servicing and DMV background
• Must have a working knowledge of the Microsoft suite of office programs.
• Sales Management
• Proficient in use of Microsoft word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation applications. Knowledge of consumer lending loan origination system (LOS) is required, knowledge of MeridianLink LOS is desirable.

Salary Range: $141,024 - $211,536

Service Excellence Standards

When joining Frontwave Credit Union, you can expect to be a part of a workforce committed to the following Service Excellence standards:

• We see it. We own it. We get it done.
• We ignite positive experiences.
• We do things right every time.
• We are collaborators - united, cohesive and engaged.
• We innovate and evolve.
• We create memorable experiences for life.
• We starts with me.