Director Central Underwriting

ATB Financial; Airdrie; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A Canadian financial institution is looking for a Central Underwriting Leader in Airdrie, Alberta, to manage a high-performing underwriting team focused on agriculture deals. The ideal candidate will bring over 5 years of corporate diverse lending experience and leadership qualities to foster a collaborative environment. This role promotes growth and requires excellent communication skills, ensuring compliance with ATB’s lending policies and commitment to customer service.

Benefits

Inclusive workplace culture

Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in mid market or agriculture lending.
• Experience structuring agriculture and diversified credit solutions.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and qualities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of underwriting associates.
• Review credit applications and provide technical expertise.
• Identify diversified lending solutions for complex deals.

Skills

Mid market / corporate diversified credit experience

Agriculture lending experience

Leadership qualities

Excellent communication skills

Growth mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Economics

Chartered Financial Analyst accreditation or Graduate level education

Job description

About the role

As ATB's next Central Underwriting Leader, you will lead a high performing Underwriting Team who shares your passion for helping clients throughout Alberta. Your Team's primary responsibility is to underwrite agriculture deals, including primary production, agri-business and agri-foods, for ATB Relationship Managers across Alberta. You will report to the Managing Director of Central Underwriting.

You will leverage your credit expertise and banking knowledge to provide guidance, training and coaching to the Underwriting Team. You will collaborate to develop a standardized credit writing approach, maintain the overall credit quality and enhance the customer and team member experience.

You will influence operations and risk management, ensuring risk mitigation and operational compliance are adhered to in addition to achieving business results. As a leader, you will be expected to role model ATB Leadership Attributes and ATB Business Values.

Accountabilities

• Develop and lead a team of underwriting associates who underwrite credit applications in the agriculture industry
• Provide technical expertise and direct support to Underwriting team members by reviewing credit applications for completeness, accuracy and structure
• Identification and delivery of diversified and agriculture lending solutions for complex and / or specialized deals
• Ensure ATB's client expectations are met
• Enhance the team member experience with a focus on credit writing and analysis
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of ATB's policies and procedures, implementing training with a focus on higher accreditation levels and improved credit skills
• Ensure credit decisions / recommendations are in accordance with sound credit granting principles and are in accordance with ATB lending policy and procedures
• Monitor Productivity / Professional Practice Standards and measures for Underwriting Manager positions
• Recruit and lead internal and external talent pipelining initiatives to ensure you bring on the best and brightest future talent into the team
• Provide guidance and enable the team to find solutions on escalated issues, establishing goals and coaching them using the performance planning process, and managing the business unit budget
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with internal business partners and stakeholders in effort to enhance business performance, the customer experience and the team member experience and ensure ATB's risk management expectations are met

Skills, experience & requirements

• 5+ years mid market / corporate diversified and / or agriculture lending experience in the financial services industry
• Experience in structuring agriculture & diversified credit solutions for high value / complex clients
• Demonstrated leadership qualities and experience
• Previous experience as a diversified or agriculture Relationship Manager would be an asset
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or other related field
• Chartered Financial Analyst accreditation or Graduate level education is an asset
• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills - a strong ability to communicate clearly and effectively with team members, leaders, Credit and other internal partners
• Maintain a growth mindset to develop and implement new products and processes

Don’t meet all the requirements?

A resume only goes so far in expressing who you are and the unique perspectives you bring. If you believe your skills and experience align with the role—but you might not check all the boxes—we want to hear from you. We encourage candidates from all work backgrounds, equity-seeking communities and experience levels to apply. If you’re seeking a career where your drive, perspective and growth are celebrated, we want to hear from you.

We’re dedicated to building a workforce reflective of those within our communities, and a culture where our team members are equipped with what they need to succeed—their way. Part of creating an inclusive workplace is recognizing our role in advancing Truth and Reconciliation. We are committed to meeting and exceeding the standards set out in the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations program created by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

What happens next?

If you are shortlisted, you\'ll hear from us after the posting closes. Check out our How We Hire page to learn more about our hiring process. If you need any accommodations throughout this process, please let us know at [e-mail]

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