Chief Lending Officer

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: 

The Chief Lending Officer leads and directs the credit union’s overall loan portfolio.  This position reports directly to the Executive Vice President and establishes policies and procedures regarding lending activities to provide long-term portfolio growth.  This position plans, develops, and directs lending, and business services policies and practices of the organization to ensure that financial objectives, goals, and institutional growth are met and in accordance with policies of the Board of Directors, corporate charter, and government regulations.

Critical features of this job are described under the headings below. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Plans and develops loan, interest, and reserve policies to ensure optimum monetary returns in accordance with availability of investment funds, government restrictions, and sound financial practices.
• Directly oversees all actions of the AVP Loan Services and the Business Services Manager.    
• Investigates alternative lending products and packages existing lending products to refer to marketing for promotions.
• Serves as Credit Manager and ultimately supervises centralized lending environment.
• Provides coaching to underwriters and loan officers and establishes authority levels for each officer.
• Helps to develop and supports a sales and service culture within the organization, including appropriate incentives for employees who produce loans and sell loan-related products.
• Develops and maintains effective controls over the lending and business services activities of the credit union.
• Creates and reviews reports and financial statements to determine business services and lending policy changes required due to changes in economic conditions, Guardians Credit Union’s deposit inflows/outflows, and progress toward achieving key financial metrics.
• Provides reports to employees highlighting monthly successes in loan volumes and loan-related products, as well as quarterly updates on Strategic Plan goals.
• Communicates required information on the business services and lending activities of the credit union to State and Federal agencies, credit union management, and Board of Directors.
• Ensures overall branch sales and service strategy for loans and loan products and operations are aligned with the strategic direction and long-term success factors of Guardians Credit Union.
• Provides leadership within a proactive, consultative sales and service environment with overall accountability to ensure branch sales and growth targets are met.
• Delegates to subordinate managers authority for administering activities and operations under their control.
• Researches potential and competitive services.  Recommends new services and changes to existing services to provide quality member service and to meet the financial needs of the membership.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for organizations that support Guardians Credit Union’s lending operations and loan-related products.
• Serves as a representative in professional, business, and community organizations to promote credit union services.
•  Communicates areas of accountability and performance expected of personnel.
• Helps determine standards of performance as a basis to review employees’ progress.
• Recommends salary adjustments, promotions, and dismissals.
• Is available to speak with any member who has questions or complaints.
• Makes decisions in accordance with government laws and regulations.
• Strives to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Analyzes and complies with government laws and regulations. This includes maintaining knowledge of all regulations and laws and keeping abreast of updates and changes to legislation, industry best practices and regulatory guidelines such as BSA/OFAC/AML/CTR laws, rules, and regulations.

OTHER DUTIES:

Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned by the President and/or CEO.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position will directly supervise two (2) primary departments:  Loan Services and Business Services.  This position carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

COMPETENCIES:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information to apply appropriate strategies; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Negotiation and Persuasion – Remains tactful and diplomatic at all times; Knows when to compromise and when to take a stand to ensure set goals and objectives are achieved.

Project Management – Sets goals, Plans and manages tasks and risks, Develops project plans; Coordinates projects and activities; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and within budget; Manages project team activities.

Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments

Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

Communication – Expresses views clearly and effectively to others both verbally and in writing; Builds rapport and easily adapts to the characteristics or needs of the audience; Promotes dialogue between people to understand others’ views and points; Appears confident and exhibits a professional and courteous image.

Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed; Recognizes accomplishments of other team members.

Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.

Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.

Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Inspires respect and trust; Accepts feedback from others; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates; Gives appropriate recognition to others; Displays passion and optimism; Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision.

Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Accessible to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.

Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust; mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.

Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.

Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.

Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity; promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.

Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; or more than 10 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.  Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
•  Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.  Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases.  Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) including application of Word Processing software; Spreadsheet software; Accounting software; Internet software and Database software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand, walk and sit.  Specific vision abilities required of this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.  Must be able to lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.