Chief Credit Officer

Chief Credit Officer Commercial Lending

A growing Community Bank is seeking an experienced Chief Credit Officer (CCO) with a strong background in credit leadership and commercial lending. This executive-level position will oversee the Bank's credit administration, portfolio quality, and overall credit risk strategy while partnering with the lending team to support sound, profitable growth.

The ideal candidate brings a strong combination of credit expertise, commercial lending experience, leadership, and business-minded decision-makingsomeone who can protect asset quality while recognizing and structuring strong lending opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of the Bank's credit administration and commercial loan portfolio
• Establish and maintain credit policies, underwriting standards, risk tolerances, and approval procedures
• Review and approve complex C&I, CRE, construction, and other commercial credits
• Partner with Commercial Lenders on loan structure, pricing, risk mitigation, and credit strategy
• Participate in significant client and prospect meetings when credit expertise is needed
• Serve as a senior resource to lenders on complex loan structures and credit decisions
• Monitor portfolio quality, concentrations, delinquencies, criticized/classified assets, exceptions, and emerging risks
• Oversee risk ratings, annual reviews, covenant compliance, loan documentation, and portfolio monitoring
• Lead, mentor, and develop Credit Analysts, Underwriters, Portfolio Managers, and credit personnel
• Lead or actively participate in the Bank's Loan/Credit Committee
• Evaluate financial statements, tax returns, global cash flow, collateral, guarantor strength, and repayment capacity
• Report portfolio trends, credit quality, concentrations, and risk exposure to Executive Management and the Board
• Coordinate with regulators, auditors, loan review, attorneys, and other third-party professionals
• Maintain current knowledge of FDIC, OCC, state banking regulations, and lending compliance
• Assist with strategic planning related to loan growth, market expansion, credit appetite, and portfolio diversification

Commercial Lending Focus

This is not strictly a credit administration position. The ideal candidate has hands-on commercial lending experience and understands the importance of balancing strong credit standards with business development.

• Proven commercial lending and relationship management experience
• Strong knowledge of C&I, CRE, and construction lending
• Ability to structure deals that balance client needs, profitability, and credit risk
• Comfortable working with business owners, developers, investors, lenders, and key clients
• Ability to support lenders in winning and retaining quality relationships
• Strong understanding of both loan and deposit relationship growth

Ideal Candidate

• 10+ years of progressive commercial banking experience preferred
• Strong background in both commercial lending and credit administration
• Leadership experience as a Chief Credit Officer, Senior Credit Officer, Credit Manager, Senior Commercial Lender, or similar
• Experience with complex and high-dollar commercial credits
• Advanced knowledge of underwriting, financial analysis, global cash flow, loan structuring, risk ratings, and portfolio management
• Proven ability to manage risk while maintaining a business-minded lending approach
• Strong leadership, communication, judgment, and decision-making skills
• Experience working with Executive Management, Boards, regulators, lenders, and clients
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field preferred