SVP/Director of Credit Administration

The SVP/Director of Credit Administration (DCA) is a senior leadership role responsible for strategic oversight of the Bank’s credit administration, credit policy, and credit risk analytics functions.  The DCA is a key contributor to enterprise risk governance, leading the development of credit risk infrastructure, stress testing capabilities, credit portfolio reporting, and centralized administration processes that align with regulatory expectations and institutional growth strategies. This role partners closely with credit, risk, commercial banking, and finance areas to ensure robust credit oversight, operational efficiency, and a sound risk posture across the institution.

Responsibilities

Credit Administration Oversight

• Lead the centralized credit administration functions including:
• Loan portfolio reporting and analytics (e.g. executive, board, and regulatory reporting, concentration analysis, ALLL/CECL modeling).
• Commercial real estate administration functions (e.g. appraisal/evaluation review, title, environmental due diligence, construction loan monitoring).
• Loan administration functions (e.g. loan document preparation and quality assurance).
• Champion the development of standardized portfolio monitoring processes across regions to drive consistency, transparency, and responsiveness to emerging risks.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and oversee change initiatives, including resourcing, system enhancements, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Support enterprise risk initiatives by contributing to the development of credit-related risk metrics, early warning triggers, and risk appetite thresholds.
• Lead or contribute to strategic credit and risk-related projects as directed by executive leadership.
• Drive change management for major system enhancements, data quality initiatives, and enterprise-wide credit risk infrastructure upgrades.

Credit Compliance & Governance

• Chair the Credit Policy Working Group (CPWG) overseeing the lifecycle of credit policy development including ongoing review, revision, approval, and implementation processes.
• Monitor and analyze credit policy exceptions, recommend policy enhancements, and facilitate communication and training for impacted stakeholders.
• Ensure policies reflect evolving market practices, regulatory expectations, internal risk appetite, and bank strategic objectives.
• Direct the Bank’s credit risk stress testing programs, ensuring methodological soundness, appropriate governance, and timely reporting.
• Oversee implementation and integration of credit risk systems (e.g. CreditQuest, Abrigo, Collateral 360), ensuring accuracy, scalability, and alignments with enterprise risk frameworks.
• Lead preparation for and response to internal audits, external examinations, and third-party reviews of credit policy, credit administration, and credit risk management practices.
• Ensure timely execution and governance of regulatory remediation projects (e.g. MRBA and Supervisory Recommendations) in coordination with relevant oversight committee(s) and stakeholders.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing team of credit administration professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and professional growth.
• Provide policy interpretation and technical guidance to bankers, credit officers, and administrative staff across regions.
• Collaborate with departmental training teams to develop and deliver targeted training programs related to credit policy, monitoring, and administration.
• Partner across departments – Commercial Lending, Enterprise Risk, Finance, Operations, Legal, and Technology – to align credit risk processes with enterprise priorities.

Bell Bank Culture, Policy and Accountability Standards:

• Know by name and face as many customers and employees as possible, calling them by name as often as possible.
• Know and practice LOCBUTN, our Golden Rules, and Bell Bank Customer Service Standards.
• Know, understand, and live the company values and bottom line.
• Conduct activities consistent with established Bell Bank policies, procedures and systems, the Bell Bank Employee Conduct policies, the Bank Secrecy Act and all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
• All employees are responsible for information security, including compliance with policies and standards which protect sensitive information.
• Prompt and reliable attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Other Expectations

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field required. MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of commercial banking experience with at least 7 years in credit risk management, credit administration, or commercial lending.
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Deep experience in credit policy development, risk analytics, and regulatory frameworks.

Skills And Knowledge

• Strong technical acumen related to credit risk systems and data analysis tools (e.g. CreditQuest, Abrigo)
• Executive-level written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated executive ability in in a complex, regulated environment.
• Ability to exhibit confidence and professional diplomacy, while effectively relating to people at all levels internally and externally.