Area Manager

About the role

The Area Manager will lead a retail financial center, overseeing daily operations and service levels while fostering long-lasting customer relationships. This role drives retail growth, achieves financial goals through customer acquisition and service strategies, and promotes high standards of customer service.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with area management to develop and execute financial center-specific sales and strategies.
• Lead, coach, and motivate financial center staff to achieve sales goals and provide excellent customer service.
• Maintain and develop relationships with existing customers to deepen engagement and achieve deposit and loan goals.
• Drive financial center profitability through service and sales activity compliance, regulatory adherence, and staff coaching for sales and balance sheet growth.
• Manage staffing levels and oversee operational activities, including transaction accuracy and execution of leadership tasks.
• Maintain efficient daily operations, ensuring compliance with FirstBank policies, procedures, security, and internal audits.
• Communicate FirstBank information to staff to ensure consistency in delivering standards, expectations, and values.
• Develop and maintain an active portfolio of Consumer and Commercial loans, approving loans within prescribed limits and referring larger/specialty loans to Bank partners.
• Prepare, review, and decision all account documentation, including credit quality for loans, and monitor the loan closing process.
• Responsible for expense management for designated team(s).
• Participate in Bank and community activities to increase FirstBank’s visibility and relevance in the assigned market.
• Set the financial center standard for consistent, distinctive customer service.
• Model, practice, and foster safe and sound bank procedures, including adherence to laws, regulations, internal controls, and risk management policies.
• Cultivate an environment that supports diversity, teamwork, and performance.
• Provide leadership through communication, performance management, development, and recognition of staff.
• Manage the team by recruiting, hiring, coaching, training, and providing feedback to support personal development and improvement.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in banking retail or lending responsibilities.
• 3+ years of leadership experience preferred.
• Proven experience in developing customer relationships, cultivating referral sources, and growing new account relationships.
• Experience creating and maintaining a strong risk and control environment with demonstrated commitment to operational integrity and policies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).

Skills

• Ability to set the tone for exceptional customer experience in the financial center.
• Strong organizational skills to manage competing priorities across financial center locations and develop growth plans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop customer relationships.
• Some travel required for in-person meetings and trainings, mostly within market or bank footprint.