Director of Syndication Desk

Description

The Syndication Desk Leader will establish, lead, and institutionalize FirstBank's loan syndication function within the Treasury organization. Reporting to the Treasurer, this role is responsible for building a disciplined, scalable syndications platform that protects relationship origination, strengthens risk distribution, and generates non-interest fee income. The leader will own end-to-end distribution strategy, investor relationships, deal execution, and the operating framework that transitions the Bank from an episodic, manual process to a formalized capital markets capability. This role will partner closely with Credit, ALCO, the Pricing Committee, Commercial Banking leadership, and Loan Operations to support larger single-name commitments without breaching hold limits, while improving overall portfolio concentration management.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own FirstBank's loan syndication strategy, including the framework for underwritten vs. best-efforts postures.
• Build and lead the syndications desk in alignment with the Capital Markets leadership framework.
• Serve as the Bank's primary point of contact for buy-side investors, agent banks, and syndicate participants.
• Partner with Credit, ALCO, and the Pricing Committee to align distribution strategy with risk appetite and balance sheet objectives.
• Engage early in the origination process — before term sheet — to flag syndication-eligible deals.
• Lead market soundings, investor outreach, CIM preparation, allocation strategy, and close coordination.
• Oversee club deals (3–6 banks), lead-left syndicated credits, and select participations (buy and sell).
• Manage underwritten exposures, time-bound sell-down requirements, and escalation protocols for failed syndication scenarios.
• Establish clearly defined target final holds, maximum underwritten exposures, and distribution assumptions for every transaction.
• Build escalation triggers tied to concentration limits, market execution risk, and failed syndication outcomes.
• Ensure all syndication activity complies with credit policy, regulatory expectations, and internal governance standards.
• Institutionalize fee tracking, investor allocations, and deal economics reporting — closing a known reporting gap.
• Partner with Loan Operations to build a dedicated Agency/Operations function covering notices, rate settings, and lender communications.
• Develop dashboards and reporting cadence for executive leadership, Credit, and ALCO.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in loan syndications, capital markets, or leveraged/commercial finance at a bank or financial institution.
• Demonstrated experience leading syndicated transactions as lead arranger, agent, or co-agent.
• Established network of buy-side investors, agent banks, and institutional lenders.
• Deep understanding of credit structuring, hold limits, concentration management, and regulatory frameworks affecting syndicated lending.
• Proven ability to build and scale a function from the ground up.

About the Role

This role requires a strong background in loan syndications, capital markets, or leveraged/commercial finance, with experience leading syndicated transactions as lead arranger, agent, or co-agent. The candidate should also possess a deep understanding of credit structuring, hold limits, concentration management, and regulatory frameworks affecting syndicated lending, along with proven experience in building and scaling a function from the ground up.