Role Overview:
The Head of Commercial Lending is responsible for driving the strategic direction, operational management, and overall performance of our commercial lending business. This critical leadership role oversees a team of experienced commercial loan officers, underwriters, and credit analysts to deliver tailored financing solutions that help our business clients thrive.
I/ Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership:
- Develop and implement the commercial lending strategy to grow the company's loan portfolio while maintaining high credit quality and profitability
- Continuously assess the competitive landscape, market trends, and economic conditions to identify new lending opportunities and adjust the strategy accordingly
- Collaborate with the executive team to ensure the commercial lending strategy aligns with the overall corporate objectives and risk appetite
Commercial Lending Operations:
- Oversee the full commercial lending lifecycle, from sourcing new opportunities to underwriting, approving, and monitoring loan performance
- Establish and maintain robust credit policies, procedures, and risk management frameworks to ensure the commercial lending portfolio meets the company's risk-adjusted return targets
- Continuously evaluate and enhance lending processes, tools, and systems to improve efficiency, productivity, and the customer experience.
Team Management:
- Lead, develop, and motivate a high-performing team of commercial lending professionals, including loan officers, underwriters, and credit analysts
- Recruit, onboard, and train team members to ensure the division has the necessary skills and expertise to achieve its goals
- Implement performance management systems to track and measure team and individual productivity, quality, and goal attainment.
Stakeholder Management:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with business customers to understand their financing needs and provide customized solutions
- Collaborate cross-functionally with the risk, operations, and finance teams to streamline processes and enhance the customer experience
- Represent the commercial lending division to internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, auditors, and industry partners.
Reporting and Compliance:
- Provide regular reporting and analysis to executive management on the commercial lending portfolio performance, risk metrics, and business development initiatives
- Ensure the commercial lending function operates in full compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies.
II/ Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field; MBA or other postgraduate qualification preferred
- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in commercial lending, credit analysis, or commercial banking, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
- Demonstrated track record of growing a commercial loan portfolio and leading a high-performing lending team
- Deep expertise in commercial credit risk assessment, loan structuring, and portfolio management
- Excellent financial modeling, data analysis, and problem-solving skills
- Outstanding communication, negotiation, and relationship management abilities
- Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and decision-making capabilities
- Thorough understanding of the regulatory landscape and compliance requirements in the finance industry
- Proven leadership skills to motivate, develop, and inspire a team of lending professionals.
