1st SVP Operations and First Line of Defense

Summary : The 1 st SVP, Operations and First Line of Defense oversees the operations of the Bank's internal functions including Loan Operations (Commercial, Consumer, Residential and specialties), and Deposit Operations (administrative services). Formulates the Bank's operations policies and procedures for these areas to ensure delivery of high-quality output with efficiency. Serves as the Operations liaison with Core provider and adjacent vendors of operational oversight. Point person in Operations for System Integrations, and conversions. Well versed with all regulations and regulatory groups related to Operations activities to serve as the point of contact during internal and external audits for their division for monitoring First Line of Defense.

Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Development

• Leads team in Loan Servicing (Commercial, Consumer, Residential, and specialties; Small Business Administration, Equipment Finance, Asset Based Lending), and Deposit Operations (account maintenance).
• Partners closely with the broader leadership, technology, and Third-Party Vendors to ensure delivery of high-quality output with efficiency of the following in Loan Servicing and adjacent functions (e.g. escrow, collections, investor, real estate, construction, and subsequent accounting).
• Drives the Operations Division's overall goals and objectives, interacts with each department to evaluate and implement new products, services, procedures/functions, systems and policies to improve efficiencies at the department and enterprise level.
• Develops budgets and annual strategic plans for the Operations group.
  
  

Leadership

• Ensures team members are well trained, and department maintains appropriate depth at critical job functions.
• Supports staff members attaining their goals through mentoring and knowledge sharing.
• Provides clearly communicated directives to ensure coworkers achieve success.
• Develops and executes robust succession planning for own and team leads roles.
• Keeps personnel informed of all changes, communicates and provides transparency for all key stakeholders ensuring effective communication to internal and external parties.
• Acts as an active change agent in the building of the organization to help the team adapt to ever changing landscape, which may include change in people, process and/or technology.
• Responsible for implementing and executing change with a high sense of urgency.
  
  

Established Controls and Audit Responses (First Line of Defense QA/QC)

• Ensures controls over processes are effective to facilitate timely and accurate transaction processing, timely reconciliations, and fraud mitigation.
• Reviews planned process changes with Audit, Compliance, Controller and Risk Management.
• Provides measurable risk management practices of Quality Assurance and Quality Controls validating operational excellence across departments
• Perform annual compliance review of the vendor to ensure vendor is meeting bank standards
• Facilitate efficient and accurate changes in Compliance with Bank, regulatory and investor requirements.
  
  

Vendor Management

• Coordinates department conversions, systems revisions, major projects and the introduction of servicing new projects. Interacts with information systems, accounting, legal, compliance and other areas to facilitate efficient and accurate changes.
• Liaison between the bank and vendor of the application(s) used in your area (e.g. CORE Platform, Insurance Monitoring, USAP, LSBO, etc.)
• Create subject matter expertise within the team to maximize the functionality provided by the vendor(s).
  
  

Process Improvement

• Continually seek improvements to and eliminate inefficiencies in the process while raising product quality, risk mitigation, creating, reviewing and executing on Operational controls while increasing volume and throughput, and managing business expectations.
• Work with department leaders and subject matter experts to improve overall productivity and efficiency.
• Identify new technologies that add value through automation.
  
  

Other Responsibilities

• Performs other job-related duties as may be assigned
  
  

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Operations Management or a related field;
• At least 15 years of hands-on experience as an Operations Manager in the Banking industry;
• Proven track record of driving goals and objectives to achieve desired results;
• Strong technical knowledge and extensive skillset to understand various technologies, systems, cloud computing, and potential risks;
• Experience in MS Applications (excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.);
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to collaborate and lead cross-functionally;
• Knowledge of regulatory groups and requirements as related to banking operations.
  
  

Columbia Bank and its affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Affirmative Action Employer/Males/Females/Protected Veterans/Individuals With Disabilities

This is a hybrid role, 3 days in the office with 2 days work from home based on business need.