Director, Commercial Portfolio Manager

BMO is seeking a seasoned commercial banking professional to lead a team of Portfolio Managers in Phoenix, AZ. This role requires deep expertise in credit underwriting, portfolio management, and structuring complex lending solutions for middle-market clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Portfolio Managers, providing oversight, mentorship, and coaching.
• Manage the market’s portfolio and ensure compliance with all KPIs.
• Analyze credit information and financial performance to support lending decisions across a portfolio of middle-market clients ($100MM–$2B+), including new originations, renewals, and amendments.
• Structure and negotiate loan terms, aligning client needs with bank risk appetite, credit policies, and regulatory standards.
• Assess repayment capacity through detailed financial modeling (cash flow, leverage, liquidity) and recommend appropriate structures, pricing, and collateral.
• Exercise delegated credit authority to approve new, renewal, and extension transactions while ensuring compliance with internal policies and procedures.
• Prepare and present credit recommendations, synthesizing financial, industry, and risk insights into clear, actionable approvals.
• Proactively monitor portfolio performance, identifying early warning signals, deteriorating trends, and covenant compliance issues; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Evaluate industry dynamics and macro trends to identify emerging risks and opportunities within the portfolio.
• Optimize portfolio returns by assessing capital allocation and client profitability relative to ROE targets.
• Lead development of credit proposals and client presentations to support new business acquisition and deepen existing relationships.
• Partner closely with Relationship Managers to drive business development, identify cross-sell opportunities, and increase share of wallet.
• Build and maintain strong client and internal stakeholder relationships, serving as a key point of contact for credit-related matters.
• Coordinate deal execution, including documentation and closing, with legal, operations, and clients to ensure timely and accurate completion.
• Leverage internal data systems and analytics tools to support decision-making and enhance portfolio insights.
• Operate independently on complex credits and non-routine situations, applying sound judgment and risk-based thinking aligned with the bank’s risk management framework.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives that enhance service quality, portfolio growth, and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Preferred 12+ years of relevant experience in credit or lending instruments or financial operations in a corporate or banking environment.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Business Administration, Finance, and Accounting preferred. Any other related discipline or commensurate work experience considered.
• Deep knowledge and technical proficiency gained through extensive education and business experience.
• Ability to effectively train, mentor, and coach others.

Pay

Salary range: $122,400.00 - $228,000.00 (salaried). Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. For commission roles, the salary listed represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position.

Benefits

• Performance-based incentives and discretionary bonuses.
• Health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans.

For more details on benefits, visit BMO Total Rewards.

About Us

At BMO, we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities, and our people. As a member of the BMO team, you are valued, respected, and heard, with opportunities to grow and make an impact from day one. We provide tools and resources such as in-depth training, coaching, manager support, and network-building opportunities to help you reach new milestones.