Credit Risk Review Director

Job Description

Hiring Range: $166,341- $255,043

The posted salary range reflects Eastern's expected hiring range. Actual pay may vary based on experience, skills, and market factors; additional compensation may apply. Eastern offers a robust benefits and retirement package. Please see the description of benefits included with this job posting for additional information.

The job's mission is to provide the Bank with an independent mechanism to assist in early detection of loan problems, assurance of accurate loan ratings, an independent assessment of CECL data, monitor compliance with policies, procedures and regulations, and assurance of proper portfolio administration.

Risk Plan

• Responsible for the planning, execution, and reporting of credit risk across Eastern Bank's loan portfolios, and independently monitors and assesses the credit risk ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, regulations, and best practices, and advising on risk mitigation.
• Oversee the execution of the Risk Plan including Continuous, Targeted, and Horizontal reviews of all types of commercial loans and commitments including Syndications, Participations, Commercial & Industrial, Commercial Real Estate Entity Level Finance, Franchise Lending, Renewable Energy, Security Alarm, Low Income Housing Tax Credit Investor Financing, and New Market Tax Credit deals to classify loans, identify potential credit problems, monitors adherence to the Bank policies, regulations, processes and procedures within commercial lending functions.
• Ensure that the Risk Plan is executed in an efficient and effective manner, within the given budget and timelines. Engages in strategic planning's. Monitors remediation's and takes part in risk oversight activities including Risk Management Committee meetings.
• Recommends policy and procedural changes to executive management and business lines to correct deficiencies identified during credit reviews to strengthen the credit process.
• Identifies emerging issues and trends to inform decisions-makers. Participates in exit meetings and interacts with multiple lines of business and other Bank colleagues in reviewing various portfolios. Maintains an expert knowledge of Bank credit policies and procedures to measure proper adherence during loan reviews.

Credit Risk Reporting

• Responsibility for overseeing the delivery of high-quality reviews, the performance of which cause minimal disruption to the business.
• Identifies where corrective actions are required and ensures corrective action is taken, as necessary.
• Responsible for the ongoing reporting ensuring thorough and correct completion of Commercial Management Reports, Resolutions Reports, Findings Reports, Exceptions Reports, Scopes, Mortgage Quality Assurance Reports and Consumer Credit Risk Review Reports in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and policy.
• Annual reporting includes Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac annual certification.

Talent Development

• Initiates professional development to stay well informed on credit products and structures, industry trends and regulatory changes.
• With a forward-looking eye, provides guidance, oversight and fulfills supervisory responsibilities following the organization's policies, procedures, and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include writing performance evaluations, interviewing, hiring, coaching, training team members, planning, addressing concerns, and resolving problems.
• Coaches to sustain and elevates organizational performance while differentiating to ensure pay for performance.
• Helps in the development of credit risk review staff to ensure skill sets are commensurate with the Bank's loan portfolio's size and complexity.

Governance

• Maintains the Credit Risk Review Commercial Policy, Mortgage Quality Assurance Policy, and Consumer Credit Risk Review Policy to ensure policies address regulatory requirements and best practices commensurate with the size and complexity of the loan portfolio.
• Develops and maintains in-depth knowledge of business and related risk management requirements and legislative/regulatory directives and guidance.
• Identifies, develops, and administers credit risk control framework activities for adherence to all policies, procedures, and established processes.
• Research existing or emerging requirements and related best practices to assist and develop recommendation for changes/enhancements.
• Assists with the interpretations of new or changing regulations and assessing impacts to the governance frameworks.

Special Projects and Other

Conducts a) confidential due diligence reviews of potential acquisition or merger institutions, b) plans for resources, budget oversight and monthly ACD reporting, c) takes part in special projects, and d) monitors the Control Design Process for SOX controls.

Process Improvements

Identifies process workflows and constraints. Recommends solutions to improve productivity.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

• The ability to engage in difficult conversations primarily with SVP Group Heads, Team Leaders, and Relationship Managers. Also regularly interacts with Executive Management and members of the Risk Management Committee of the Board of Directors.
• The ability to manage multiple engagements and project simultaneously are essential to proving a strong, independent role when evaluating current and emerging credit risk in the commercial loan portfolio and ACH products.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree and formal credit training required.
• Strong working knowledge of risk and/or credit risk management and control frameworks.
• Proven credit risk review or commercial underwriting abilities, including 15+ years' experience as a safety and soundness regulator, credit risk review officer, commercial loan relationship manager, or commercial loan underwriter.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and compliance rules.
• Must be able to present well-formed and supported opinions of process, procedure, and credit risk condition to senior business management
• Must be able to prioritize and organize assignments and meet strict deadlines
• Expert knowledge of Commercial lending and credit analysis with extensive experience in corporate, syndicated and leveraged loans. Technical financial statement analysis knowledge, evident of sound credit judgment, understanding of complex commercial legal documentation.
• Proven credit risk manager with an excellent deliver track record within a demanding and team-oriented environment.
• Project management skills, ability to deliver high quality results while meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrates project management skills related to risk management projects, including developing project plans, budgets, and deliverables schedules.
• Demonstrates extensive abilities as a team leader, which includes creating a positive environment; monitoring workloads of the team while meeting management expectations; respecting the work-life quality of team members; providing candid, meaningful feedback in a timely manner; and keeping leadership informed of progress.
• Proficient/computer literate in Microsoft Word, Excel with the willingness/ability to learn new software, as necessary.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Working Conditions

Credit Risk Review conducts examinations of all commercial lending groups. The position is assigned to the Lynn office moving to Wakefield, Ma later in 2025 and can work in a remote environment. Travel is limited.