Empower Federal Credit Union
Chief Lending Officer (CLO) (Project Management)
Role:
As the Chief Lending Officer (CLO), you will be responsible for leading and supporting the VP Commercial Lending, VP Mortgage Servicing, VP Mortgage Lending, VP Consumer Lending, VP Loan Operations & Collections, and VP Consumer Loan Sales.
As the CLO, who will help drive Empower Federal Credit Union's dedication to its membership while improving their financial well-being. You will serve as a strong steward of our brand and take responsibility for Empower Federal Credit Union's lending activities across all channels, ensuring compliance with credit union lending policy; assist in development of lending policy and new loan products; manage lending activity to meet credit union goals and objectives; participate as a member of the senior management team; and participate in committee meetings. You will serve as a vital member of the leadership team providing energy, creativity, and meaningful insights to help drive results.
The CLO provides thought leadership and strategic direction to lending activities ensuring “best practices” in developing and implementing innovative, competitive products and services to accomplish the mission and be a key contributor to the overall success of the credit union, while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. This position creates an advocacy culture throughout to ensure Empower FCU meets the financial needs of our members.
The ideal candidate will also be analytically minded, values-driven, has strong performance in financial-services, a push for unique member experiences, be adept at competitor analysis, and continuously strive to improve member retention and growth. They will be a skilled manager of people and capable of defining best practices in these areas, while maintaining industry standards and regulatory compliance for the credit union. The person will bring strong execution skills with a successful track record.
And finally, the CLO (Chief Lending Officer) will bring exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills, including communicating, networking, and building influence.
Reporting directly to the CXO, the CLO will work closely with other members of the senior leadership / executive team. The credit union is headquartered in Syracuse, New York.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities:
E
25%
Plans, directs, and controls the activities of the lending, mortgage servicing, consumer loans, loan operations, and collections division. Works with management staff to develop, implement and maintain effective and “best practice” member experience, operations, products and services, which support the goals and objectives of the organization, including but not limited to profitability, safety, and soundness, while providing resources to our members that further their financial goals. Continually monitors product delivery and quality and takes action to resolve problems.
E
25%
Creates and implements the short-term and long-term strategies to drive loan portfolio performance. Responsible for maximizing credit union profitability through appropriate pricing of loan originations, fee income, and selling of all credit union lending products & services. Successfully expands and promotes Empower's business lending in the communities we serve. Continues to develop, propose, & gains acceptance for implementing lending programs, policy and strategies and leads activity related to new product development with respect to lending programs. Ensures lending and other relevant policies and procedures are developed, documented, updated and followed, meeting all necessary legal requirements, regulatory guidelines, and other governance policies. Ensures internal and external audit compliance of all divisional areas.
E
20%
Provides leadership, motivation, coaching and professional development to staff. Supports management staff in monitoring employee performance and setting performance goals. Promotes a culture of integrity and fosters a team ethic that aligns with Empower's mission, vision, values and short- and long-term lending goals. Works with the division management teams to monitor work processes and response times by channels to ensure staff deliver quality member service and actively support our culture. Supports innovation, change and efficiency in division operations.
E
10%
Ensures the credit union is in compliance with all lending regulations; develops procedural changes as compliance requires or new programs demand. Monitors competitive environment activities and stays current on trends in the industry, ensuring the credit union's competitive edge and ability to be a leader in the industry. Works with marketing, CXO and management staff to ensure effective lending products and services are made available to the membership and delivered by well trained, engaged and knowledgeable staff. Takes effective and timely responsive action where appropriate.
E
10%
Attends Board meetings and participates, as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, in developing strategies, setting goals, and making key decisions for the organization. Performs strategic planning for the division, including organizational direction, new systems, staffing and budget requirements. Utilizes analytical, critical thinking capabilities and innovative approaches in the research, evaluation and recommendation of new division initiatives, and products and services that support the strategic goals of the credit union.ls.
E
10%
Actively participates in civic and community activities to enhance the credit union's image, visibility and to reinforce the credit union's commitment to the communities we serve. Establishes and develops business relationships to promote the credit union's business lending. Interfaces with members, in person or through correspondence, for the handling of questions, concerns and issues not resolved by staff.
Provides leadership and guidance in the development of effective accountability systems which link individual, departmental, organizational, and Credit Union-wide priorities, goals, and objectives, and other duties as assigned.
Performance Measurements:
1.
See Dayforce (HRIS) for annual goals upon hire.
Knowledge and Skills:
Experience
Ten years to fifteen years of similar or related experience including:
- Minimum 10 years of experience in all areas of lending and collections, to include consumer, real estate and business lending required.
- Minimum 3 years senior management experience required preferably in a financial institution of similar size or larger.
Education
BA/BS Business Administration, Finance or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Master's degree preferred.
Interpersonal Skills
Work frequently involves exercising advanced conflict resolution, giving material presentations, and resolving issues impacting multiple departments or divisions. Role also requires the ability to motivate or influence others as a material part of the role, with a significant level of diplomacy and trust. Obtaining cooperation (internally and/or externally) is an important part of the role and a high level of interpersonal skills is critical to the success of this position.
- Self-motivated
- Member Focused
- Exhibits steadfast attention to details
- Excellent oral and written skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- The ability to influence and collaborate with others at all levels of the organization
- Strong business acumen
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
Other Skills
- Extensive knowledge of mortgage, consumer and business lending practices, procedures, and laws and regulations. The ability to professionally interact with all levels of staff, vendors and members.
- Proven strategic, operational, and managerial ability in financial-services delivery or credit union/banking setting. Demonstrated understanding and successful track recording of optimizing delivery and cost with a focus on quality of member-experience outcomes.
- Thorough knowledge of bank/credit union accounting, regulations, policies and procedures. Passion and an aptitude for credit unions is essential.
- Proven ability developing and implementing operating plans and analyzing financial and quality data. Demonstrated business and financial acumen, including a sophisticated knowledge of major financial, regulatory, compliance, ethical, and legal issues affecting credit unions. Understanding of the levers that impact our success.
- Demonstrated track record of building and nurturing diverse, equitable and inclusive teams. Proven ability to naturally connect and build strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
- Proven ability to provide leadership, support, motivation and professional development to management and staff.
- Motivating or influencing others is a material part of the job. Outside contacts become important and fostering sound relationships with other entities (companies and/or individuals) becomes necessary and often requires the ability to influence and/or sell ideas or services to others. The role requires a significant level of trust or diplomacy.
- Proven ability to attract and recruit top talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within the team, and manage performance; widely viewed as a strong developer of others.
Physical Requirements
Extended working hours may be required.
Periodic travel between branches and travel to conferences and seminars which may be out of town.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods at a time, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.