The client is seeking a Chief Lending Officer to provide strategic leadership and overall direction for all lending activities in the Chicago, IL area. This role is accountable for ensuring conformity with legal and regulatory compliance as well as the bank’s lending policy, while contributing to the bank’s success by promoting innovative, competitive, and profitable products and exceeding service expectations.
Key responsibilities include making critical lending decisions using analytical and problem-solving skills; assessing financial, economic, and statistical data to manage risk; and anticipating and managing change in a fast-moving environment. The Chief Lending Officer will lead the underwriting and approval of new credit requests and credit line renewals, negotiate transaction terms and conditions, and oversee or directly participate in underwriting and documenting large structured loan transactions.
The role also includes coordinating commercial lending activities to ensure project tasks are completed through team scheduling, executive updates, and status reporting; maintaining accurate management of the portfolio; and leading efforts to improve customer retention and performance. The Chief Lending Officer will perform rigorous analysis of transactions, resolve problem accounts in partnership with other teams, coach and develop lenders, and ensure compliance with credit policies and procedures and all applicable federal and state banking regulations. Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in business, accounting, or finance, with an MBA preferred; ten years of commercial banking experience with at least five years in commercial credit review or commercial credit; and demonstrated leadership, strong communication, excellent problem-solving and decision-making, strong prioritization, and the ability to work independently.