Loan Operations Manager

About the role

Help drive operational excellence that supports exceptional lending experiences! At BankCherokee, we believe successful lending requires strong operational expertise behind every loan. As Loan Operations Manager, you'll lead a team responsible for supporting the commercial, SBA, and home equity loan lifecycle from onboarding and closing through servicing and portfolio maintenance. This role partners with commercial and home equity lenders to deliver accurate, compliant, and efficient loan operations while continuously improving processes that support our clients, employees, and strategic goals.

The Loan Operations Manager leads BankCherokee’s loan operations function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant support throughout the commercial, SBA, and home equity loan lifecycle. Serving as both a department leader and loan operations expert, this role builds strong partnerships with lenders, develops a high-performing team, and drives operational excellence, risk management, and continuous improvement across commercial and home equity loan operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial, SBA, and home equity line, loan onboarding, closing, servicing, and support activities to ensure an efficient experience.
• Manage, coach, and develop a knowledgeable and accountable Loan Operations team.
• Oversee loan documentation, booking, collateral administration, payment processing, and exception resolution.
• Ensure compliance with lending regulations, internal controls, audit, and risk management practices.
• Improve processes, workflows, systems, and technology solutions to support operational efficiency and scalability.

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of banking experience with progressive responsibility in commercial, SBA, and home equity loan operations, loan documentation, credit administration, or related functions.
• Three or more years of lead, supervisory, or management experience.
• Experience managing loan operations processes, loan documentation, onboarding, servicing, collateral administration, operational controls, and compliance activities.
• Strong knowledge of community banking regulations, risk management practices, and loan operations best practices.
• College degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• Experience with FiServ, Director, and Abrigo systems ideal.

Skills

Excellent communication, relationship-building, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, accident/critical care, and life insurance
• HSA with company contribution
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program
• Paid volunteer time
• Donation matching
• Education reimbursement
• Paid time off
• 401(k) plan with company match

Pay

Salary range $85,000 to $110,000 annually, depending on qualifications, experience, and demonstrated capabilities, plus annual incentive opportunity.