Sr. Commercial Relationship Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Sr. Commercial Relationship Manager is an experienced commercial banker responsible for originating, underwriting, structuring, and managing sound commercial lending relationships. This position will also serve as the Bank's designated resource to manage select complex criticized, underperforming, and nonperforming commercial credits and to mentor developing relationship managers in the area of problem resolution. The position combines active lending production and relationship management with hands-on responsibility for developing and executing workout and recovery strategies.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Commercial Lending and Relationship Management

1. Originate and develop new commercial lending relationships through prospecting, referrals, centers of influence, and community involvement, with emphasis on sound, sustainable portfolio growth.
2. Maintain and expand an assigned portfolio of commercial relationships, identifying appropriate lending, deposit, and other banking opportunities.
3. Independently evaluate borrower financial performance, repayment capacity, cash flow, guarantor support, collateral, industry conditions, and transaction risks.
4. Structure, negotiate, and recommend C&I, commercial real estate, and other commercial credit facilities consistent with Bank policy and prudent underwriting standards.
5. Prepare or oversee comprehensive credit presentations and loan approval recommendations; coordinate documentation, closing, and ongoing portfolio administration.
6. Monitor borrower performance, covenants, collateral, financial reporting, and risk ratings; identify emerging credit concerns and take timely action.
7. Meet mutually established lending production, portfolio quality, and relationship development expectations, adjusted as appropriate for assigned workout responsibilities.

Workout and Special Assets

1. Assume direct responsibility for assigned criticized, underperforming, nonperforming, and problem commercial loan relationships.
2. Develop, recommend, negotiate, and implement documented workout plans, including restructurings, forbearance agreements, repayment arrangements, collateral liquidation, foreclosure, bankruptcy, note sales, and other exit strategies as appropriate.
3. Analyze borrower, guarantor, and sponsor financial information and collateral positions to assess repayment capacity, loss exposure, and recovery alternatives.
4. Monitor action-plan milestones, payment performance, covenant compliance, collateral protection, and changes in credit quality; recommend risk rating changes, nonaccrual treatment, charge-offs, and other credit actions as warranted.
5. Coordinate with borrowers, guarantors, legal counsel, accountants, consultants, participant lenders, and other stakeholders to execute approved resolution strategies.
6. Review commercial loan documents and work with counsel on enforcement, litigation, receivership, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and recovery matters.
7. Prepare and present timely problem loan reports, credit analyses, action plans, and recommendations to senior management and appropriate committees; maintain complete and accurate workout documentation.

Leadership, Risk Management, and Compliance

1. Partner with lending and credit personnel to identify deteriorating credits early and provide guidance on appropriate remediation strategies.
2. Serve as a technical resource and mentor to less experienced lenders and credit personnel, particularly in underwriting, structuring, credit judgment, and problem loan management.
3. Adhere to Bank credit policies, loan approval authorities, documentation standards, applicable regulations, and compliance requirements.
4. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Advanced knowledge of traditional commercial lending, including financial statement and cash-flow analysis, credit underwriting, loan structuring, collateral evaluation, documentation, and portfolio management.
• Strong working knowledge of C&I and commercial real estate lending and demonstrated ability to originate and manage commercial banking relationships.
• Sound credit judgment and the ability to independently assess complex transactions, identify risk, and recommend practical solutions.
• Knowledge of problem loan management, restructuring, creditor remedies, collections, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and collateral recovery strategies.
• Strong business development, relationship management, negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to balance customer service, production goals, credit quality, and sensitive workout matters with discretion and limited supervision.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Significant progressively responsible experience as a commercial lender; ideally 15-20 years in commercial banking with demonstrated direct lending, underwriting, and relationship management responsibilities.
• Completion of a formal commercial credit training program strongly preferred; equivalent rigorous credit underwriting and lending experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated success in commercial loan origination and portfolio management, including C&I and commercial real estate credits.
• Experience managing criticized or problem commercial loans and negotiating restructurings or workout solutions strongly preferred.
• Community banking experience strongly preferred; experience with participated or syndicated credits preferred.

ABOUT COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

We believe our employees are our greatest asset and deserve competitive pay and benefits. We regularly review our compensation and align our ranges with market data for our geography, industry, and institution size.

• This is a salaried exempt position. Annual salary depends on experience, but the expected hiring pay range is $130,000 - $180,000.
• Paid time off is available up front, including paid vacation time, paid flex (personal) time, paid wellness time, paid birthday, paid volunteer time off, and 11 paid holidays.
• We partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to offer 2 health plans, dental insurance, and vision insurance.
• The bank pays for short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance on your behalf. You can purchase additional life insurance for yourself, a spouse, or dependents at a group rate.
• Discretionary 401k match and profit-sharing contributions are made on your behalf once you have met the eligibility requirements.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

No direct supervisory responsibilities. May provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentorship to less experienced lending or credit employees.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Typical office environment. Requires ability to operate office equipment, including computers and phones. Primarily sedentary, with occasional standing, walking, lifting, carrying, bending, kneeling, stretching, and stooping. Requires frequent viewing and reading of computer screens and documents.

GENERAL NOTICE:

This position description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position and should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the position. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties. All requirements are subject to change and to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability. This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Bank and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the Bank and requirements of the position change.

Salary Description

130,000 - 180,000