ASSISTANT BRANCH MANAGER

Description

Overall Job Purpose

At Sandia Area Federal Credit Union, every position plays a vital role in fulfilling our mission to deliver high-value banking and lending services that strengthen the financial well-being of our members and community. Each team member is expected to embody our core values of Service, Sustainability, Efficiency, Trust, Stewardship, and Growth, contributing to our vision of empowering lifelong achievement through better banking. While specific responsibilities vary by role, every position carries universal expectations aligned with its level of responsibility and authority across the organization.

As an Assistant Branch Manager at Sandia Area, you play a key role in guiding and supporting your team to achieve operational goals and deliver exceptional member experiences. You are responsible for fostering a culture of trust and accountability while ensuring team alignment with the organization’s mission, vision, and values. By mentoring staff and addressing day-to-day challenges, you contribute to a workplace environment that promotes collaboration, service excellence, and long-term success.

Reporting to the Branch Manager, this role supports the overall management of branch operations by ensuring adherence to policies and regulatory requirements, achieving performance goals, and fostering a strong team culture centered on member education and financial success. The Assistant Branch Manager plays a key role in coaching, mentoring, and supporting staff to deliver exceptional service using a consultative approach—engaging members in meaningful financial discussions, identifying their needs, and recommending tailored solutions. This position also ensures operational efficiency and compliance while reinforcing a member-first service environment.

Supervisor of Member Consultant I Trainee, Member Consultant II and Member Consultant III.

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead by example, reinforce, and consistently uphold Sandia Area’s Values: Service, Sustainability, Efficiency, Trust, Stewardship, and Growth.

• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to branch employees, fostering a positive and high-performing team environment.

• Support the Branch Manager in managing daily operations, ensuring alignment with credit union goals, policies, and procedures.

• Optimize resource allocation, including personnel, and resources, to maximize effectiveness while controlling costs.

• Lead branch operations in the absence of the Branch Manager, ensuring continuity in service, staff performance, and operational efficiency.

• Assist in the recruitment, interviewing, and hiring process, ensuring candidates align with the credit union’s mission, values, and service culture.

• Support the onboarding, training, and development of new hires, fostering a positive and growth-oriented work environment.

•  Drive branch performance goals by supporting team members in meeting service, performance goals, and retention objectives while maintaining a high standard of integrity and trust.

Relationship Building & Consultative Services

• Lead by example in building and maintaining strong member relationships, engaging in consultative conversations to uncover financial needs and opportunities while coaching and supporting staff in delivering exceptional member service.

• Demonstrate and reinforce a consultative approach by educating and advising members on credit union products, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, loans, IRAs, Home Equity, and CD/Savings Secured Loans, ensuring alignment with their financial goals while mentoring staff to do the same.

• Set the standard for member guidance by leading the loan application process, utilizing credit bureau analysis and financial data to identify tailored solutions that support financial growth, while fostering financial literacy initiatives and ensuring seamless new member onboarding through staff training and support.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with members, businesses, and community partners to drive growth, deepen relationships, and enhance the branch’s impact.

• Meets or exceeds individual performance goals by delivering exceptional service, following established processes, and proactively identifying member needs to support branch success.

Transaction & Account Support

• Oversee and support the efficient processing of member transactions, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with policies and procedures.

• Assist with complex account services, including account openings, business accounts, trust and estate accounts, wire transfers, and loan processing.

• Ensure staff is properly trained to handle advanced financial transactions, such as IRAs, Home Equity Loans, and CD/Savings Secured Loans, while maintaining regulatory compliance.

• Provide guidance and approval for escalated transaction requests, balancing risk mitigation with member satisfaction.

• Identify and resolve transactional discrepancies, account issues, and member concerns, ensuring a seamless banking experience.

Branch Operations

• Manage daily branch operations, ensuring efficiency, security, and a high standard of service.

• Develop staffing plans and schedules to ensure effective coverage, balanced workloads, and optimized service delivery.

• Monitor and oversee branch cash management, including cash balancing, cash orders, dual control processes, and teller limits to ensure operational integrity.

• Collaborate with branch leadership to implement process improvements, technology enhancements, and workflow optimizations that improve service and efficiency.

• Maintain a safe and compliant branch environment, ensuring adherence to security protocols, business continuity planning, and emergency procedures.

• Work closely with the Branch Manager and other leaders to align branch operations with organizational goals, driving long-term growth and sustainability.

Expectations of all Employees

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to upholding the organization’s mission, vision, and values in all interactions and responsibilities.

• Represent the credit union with professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct at all times.

• Maintain a thorough understanding and strict adherence to credit union regulations, compliance requirements, policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.

• Consistently meet deadlines as assigned while ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and adherence to quality standards.

• Foster a positive and supportive environment for both members and employees, ensuring interactions align with the credit union’s mission and service philosophy.

• Adhere to all regulatory and compliance policies, upholding the highest standards of security, confidentiality, and ethical financial practices in all member interactions.

• Maintain the confidentiality and security of member information, records, and sensitive data, in compliance with credit union policies and regulatory requirements.

• Undergo background and credit checks as required by federal and state regulations.

• Understand and comply with all policies, procedures, and legal guidelines, including adherence to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and other applicable financial regulations.

• Adapt to evolving responsibilities, taking on additional duties as assigned to support the success of the branch and the organization.

• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and staying informed on industry trends and best practices.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Expertise in branch operations, member engagement, financial consulting, and compliance, with a strong understanding of credit union policies, procedures, and industry regulations.

• Advanced financial acumen in analyzing financial data, interpreting credit reports, and providing tailored banking solutions that align with both member needs and branch growth objectives.

• Ability to lead complex financial discussions, including IRAs, Home Equity Loans, CD/Savings Secured Loans, and Trust & Estate Accounts, while using a consultative, member-first approach to recommend financial solutions.

• Exceptional leadership and team development skills, fostering a high-performance culture through coaching, mentorship, and employee engagement.

• Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize branch objectives, oversee multiple functions, and adapt to operational demands.

• Exceptional interpersonal and member service skills, cultivating meaningful relationships and ensuring an exceptional member experience across all interactions.

• Proven ability to resolve escalated member concerns, applying problem-solving expertise to maintain positive relationships while ensuring compliance with policies and service standards.

• Thorough understanding of regulatory compliance, including Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and risk management protocols, ensuring operational integrity.

• Strong decision-making skills, with the ability to approve overrides, exceptions, and high-risk transactions while maintaining compliance and risk mitigation.

• Operational oversight experience, ensuring branch-wide adherence to policies, security protocols, and best practices in daily operations.

• Ability to leverage banking technologies, systems, and digital tools to drive operational efficiency and enhance member service.

• Collaborative leadership mindset, fostering teamwork, supporting staff, and contributing to a positive branch culture that aligns with organizational values.

• Experience leading branch process improvements, identifying operational efficiencies, and implementing service enhancements to optimize member experience.

• Ability to perform essential branch operations, including lifting up to 15 lbs. as needed.

Education and Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Minimum of three to five years of experience in banking or financial services, with at least one year in a supervisory or leadership role.

• Proven experience in supervising, mentoring, or leading staff, with the ability to develop high-performing teams.

• Demonstrated experience in financial consulting, sales, and business development.

• Prior experience handling financial transactions and cash management in a branch setting.

• Knowledge of credit union operations, policies, and industry regulations, including BSA and OFAC compliance.

• Willing to undergo a background and credit check as required by regulations.

*** Please submit an employment application to www.sandia.org/careers *** 

Sandia Area Federal Credit Union (SAFCU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SAFCU provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.