Area Operations Manager

Vets Hired; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vets Hired in the United States seeks an Area Operations Manager to oversee the performance of a hub branch and assigned retail branches, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations, strong customer service, and adherence to banking policies.

You will lead and develop branch managers and staff, manage staffing, budgets, and risk controls, and collaborate with sales to support customer financial needs while driving efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years banking experience focusing on operations.
• Minimum 3 years of management experience.
• Demonstrated leadership and staff development abilities.
• Strong knowledge of retail branch operations, policies and risk management.
• Ability to assess performance and improve efficiency while reducing risk.
• Excellent customer service, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee hub branch and designated branches daily operations.
• Lead, coach, and develop branch managers and operations staff.
• Oversee recruitment, staffing, scheduling, performance reviews, and development.
• Develop and implement area strategic plans focused on customer retention and risk reduction.
• Manage branch budgets, forecasts, and staffing resources.
• Monitor operations for compliance with policies and procedures.
• Identify operational issues and implement process improvements.
• Support implementation of new banking programs and processes.

Skills

Operations management

Leadership

Customer service

Risk management

Regulatory knowledge

Budgeting

Process improvement

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Notary license (preferred)

Job description

Job Summary

The Area Operations Manager oversees the operational performance of a designated group of retail bank branches while managing a primary hub branch. The role is responsible for branch operations, employee supervision, risk management, regulatory compliance, budgeting, customer service, and operational efficiency. This position develops and implements strategies to achieve banking objectives, strengthen customer relationships, improve employee performance, and maintain operational soundness across the assigned area.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the overall performance and daily operations of a hub branch and designated retail branches.
• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop branch managers, supervisors, and operations employees.
• Oversee recruitment, staffing, scheduling, performance reviews, employee development, succession planning, and disciplinary actions.
• Develop and implement branch and area strategic plans focused on customer retention, operational efficiency, employee development, and risk reduction.
• Manage branch budgets, forecasts, and full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing resources.
• Monitor branch operations, conduct inspections, review certifications, and ensure compliance with banking policies and procedures.
• Oversee operational risk, compliance activities, transaction approvals, and exceptions involving complex or high-risk transactions.
• Identify operational issues and implement improvements to processes, procedures, and service delivery.
• Support implementation of new banking programs, products, and operational processes.
• Monitor suspicious transactions and report activity potentially related to money laundering or fraud.
• Oversee deposit services, customer account opening and maintenance, transaction processing, wire transfers, and other retail banking activities.
• Resolve escalated customer concerns and promote a customer-focused branch environment.
• Collaborate with sales management to support customer financial needs and banking objectives.
• Build customer relationships and promote appropriate deposit, treasury management, and lending products.
• Support operational initiatives and contribute to the review and improvement of retail banking policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 7 years of banking experience, with an emphasis on operations.
• Minimum of 3 years of management experience.
• Demonstrated leadership, employee supervision, coaching, and development abilities.
• Strong knowledge of retail branch operations, complex transactions, banking policies, procedures, and risk management.
• Ability to assess branch performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and increase operational quality.
• Strong customer service, problem-solving, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage workflows, staffing coverage, deadlines, and competing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (four-year degree).
• Notary license.
• Additional relevant experience may be considered in place of a bachelor's degree.