Director of Loan Ops Strategy & Execution

About the role

The Director of Loan Operations Strategy & Execution leads the Bank's enterprise-wide commercial loan operations function, overseeing loan origination operational support, documentation, booking, closing, onboarding, servicing, collateral management, and portfolio administration. This role ensures operational excellence, control strength, and scalability across C&I, CRE, SMB, construction, participations, and syndicated lending.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for all facets of Loan Operations.
• Develop a multi-year roadmap to leverage AI and automation for scalable operations, automation, and digital enablement.
• Align operational processes with enterprise strategy, business growth, and regulatory expectations.
• Oversee origination workflow, documentation, compliance validation, system booking, funding, servicing, and collateral management.
• Ensure accurate and timely loan setup, GL mapping, collateral perfection, and ongoing maintenance.
• Drive improvements in turnaround times, operational quality, and banker and client experience by leveraging AI and automation tools.
• Serve as a SME for nCino, LaserPro, and Fiserv Premier, including system functionality, data flows, integrations, and optimization opportunities through the use of AI and automation tools.
• Redesign workflows to fully leverage system capabilities and enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Identify automation opportunities using workflow tools and lead implementation in partnership with IT and third parties.
• Partner with IT and third parties to oversee UAT, change management, system enhancements, and the adoption of new technology features.
• Master and deploy modern automation tools to redesign and streamline end-to-end workflows.
• Coach, train, and enable team members to identify, design, and implement automation solutions within their respective functions.
• Maintain and strengthen a comprehensive operational control framework.
• Improve upstream E2E controls to minimize downstream servicing errors and rework.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory standards and lead audit engagement, remediation, and reporting.
• Build financial models, ROI analyses, and business cases to evaluate operational initiatives, staffing models, and technology investments.
• Conduct data-driven analysis to support decision-making, resource planning, and efficiency improvements.
• Prepare executive-level proposals, presentations, and reporting for senior leadership.
• Collaborate with Risk, IT, Accounting, Credit, Legal, and Commercial Banking to drive enterprise-wide alignment.
• Lead large-scale operational and technology projects using disciplined project management methodologies.
• Ensure successful rollout of new processes, systems, and change initiatives across all stakeholder groups.
• Serve as the enterprise process owner for the commercial loan lifecycle, driving standardization, straight-through processing, and continuous improvement across all lines of business.

Requirements

The ideal candidate brings deep commercial lending expertise, strong knowledge of the end-to-end loan lifecycle, and the ability to design and optimize technology-enabled workflows by leveraging AI and automation tools. The position requires advanced financial analysis skills, disciplined project management and presentation capabilities, and the ability to lead strategic operational transformation initiatives.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of commercial lending, including qualifying applicants, packaging proposals, underwriting credit and cash flow and loan closing.
• Strong financial modeling, analytics, and business-case development skills.
• Demonstrated ability to redesign processes, implement automation, design and monitor controls, and manage complex projects.
• Ability to research, plan, and implement using logical thought processes, organization and project management skills.
• Act as a change agent driving the Bank's transition to a digitally enabled, automation-first operating model.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability, embedding automation and efficiency into team DNA.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite.
• Excellent writing, verbal communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong ability to apply judgment, implement solutions, and resolve conflicts.
• Demonstrated leadership experience developing and motivating staff required; ability to effectively and efficiently manage a high-level management staff, regarding projects, strategic planning, budgets, and maintaining continuous control over performance standards and maintain continuous control over operations.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with capability of prioritizing tasks and adapting to individual situations while maintaining a high level of responsiveness, client focus and attention to detail.