Associate Director, Venture Banking

Live Oak Bank; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 129,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Live Oak Bank is seeking an Associate Director of Venture Banking to source and win client opportunities, onboard relationships, and manage post‑loan onboarding under the Managing Director. You will own the client relationship lifecycle and collaborate with other lines of business to ensure onboarding and servicing success.

The role focuses on developing VB clients, underwriting, and term sheet negotiations, while expanding relationships and staying compliant with regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience underwriting and servicing venture banking type credits.
• In-depth knowledge of Bank lending policies, procedures, and criteria.

Responsibilities

• Develop and retain VB clients including loan and deposit opportunities with guidance from Managing Director.
• Oversee loan underwriting and origination.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the venture capital ecosystem and firm products and services.
• Present and negotiate term sheets with prospects; Compete to win the opportunity.
• Manage the final credit and loan document negotiation processes appropriately by working with other LOB teammates and outside counsel.
• Identify “non-lending” relationship opportunities using the Bank’s deposit and treasury management platform.
• Cross-sell products to existing customers.
• Take on strategic projects as needed for the benefit of the team.
• Take ownership of any issues, especially as related to company performance and compliance.
• When necessary and applicable, work with Credit and SAG to manage troubled credits.
• Be a strong teammate and enable the VB team’s long‑term success.
• Maintain a high standard of regulatory awareness including BSA, AML, CIP, and OFAC.
• Call on VC firms and their portfolio companies directly.
• Nurture long‑term, mutually beneficial relationships with VC firms and other referral sources.
• Attend conferences and other networking events.
• Travel as needed to expand LOB brand and source new opportunities.
• Keep abreast of economic conditions and VC market trends.
• Work with team to develop broader marketing and networking efforts.

Skills

Relationship management

Underwriting

Credit analysis

Portfolio management

Negotiation

Opportunity sourcing

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

About Us

Live Oak Bank is a digital bank that serves small business owners across the country. Our groundbreaking spin on service and technology has fueled our mission to be America’s Small Business Bank. Our products help customers buy, build, and expand their business, and our high-yield savings and CD products help them grow their hard-earned money. At Live Oak, we never lose sight of the well-being of our people. We believe our employees are the heart of our company. Our commitment to our customers and culture is intertwined, and we seek those who embody and embrace what it takes to empower the American dream.

How This Role Impacts Live Oak and its People

The Associate Director, Venture Banking will enable the success of the Venture Banking team by sourcing new client opportunities, winning those opportunities, onboarding new relationships, and taking ownership of the relationships post-loan closing/onboarding under the direction of the Managing Director. As the relationship manager for clients, the Associate Director owns the client relationship over its life cycle. The Director will also work with other LOB groups to ensure client relationships are appropriately onboarded and serviced over the life of the loan.

What You’ll Do at Live Oak

• Develop and retain VB clients including loan and deposit opportunities with guidance from Managing Director
• Oversee loan underwriting and origination
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the venture capital ecosystem and firm products and services
• Present and negotiate term sheets with prospects; Compete to win the opportunity
• Manage the final credit and loan document negotiation processes appropriately by working with other LOB teammates and outside counsel
• Identify “non-lending” relationship opportunities using the Bank’s deposit and treasury management platform.
• Cross-sell products to existing customers
• Take on strategic projects as needed for the benefit of the team
• Take ownership of any issues, especially as related to company performance and compliance
• When necessary and applicable, work with Credit and SAG to manage troubled credits
• Be a strong teammate and enable the VB team’s long‑term success
• Maintain a high standard of regulatory awareness including BSA, AML, CIP, and OFAC

Deal Sourcing

• Call on VC firms and their portfolio companies directly
• Nurture long‑term, mutually beneficial relationships with VC firms and other referral sources
• Attend conferences and other networking events
• Travel as needed to expand LOB brand and source new opportunities
• Keep abreast of economic conditions and VC market trends
• Work with team to develop broader marketing and networking efforts

Term Sheet Issuance & Negotiations

• Take ownership of the relationship and negotiation process
• Work directly with VBOs, PMs, and PAs to advise on underwriting, lead diligence calls, and take responsibility for the “final product” that goes to credit
• Issue and negotiate term sheets with prospects with objective of winning the opportunity
• Communicate clearly as process evolves and ask for guidance or assistance as needed

Loan Closing

• Assist and advise PAs on final credit approval package and present to credit in accordance with bank policies and procedures
• Take ownership of the loan documentation process by working with outside counsel to issue, negotiate, and finalize loan docs
• Work in consultation with Borrower to achieve optimal outcomes for all parties while maintaining a focus on soundness and security for LOB
• Once documents are in execution phase, be available as a resource to Closer and PA during closing and onboarding process

Relationship Management

• Own the client relationship across the life cycle
• Serve as primary contact for company post‑closing
• Collaborate with PMs and PAs as needed for regular portfolio management
• Conduct client update calls and investor calls as needed
• Identify new ways (credit or otherwise) to meet client needs and expand relationship

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Experience underwriting and servicing venture banking type credits
• In‑depth knowledge of Bank lending policies, procedures, and criteria
• High degree of self‑motivation, dedication, creativity, and perseverance

Preferred Experience

• A minimum of 2 years Venture Banking/VC industry‑specific experience
• Additional team and portfolio management experience
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Strong financial analysis and modeling skills
• Sound judgment
• Strong computer skills, including Word and Excel

Our Values

• Dedication: Possess a deep commitment to Live Oak Bank’s mission and core values, exemplified through a strong work ethic, adaptability and pride in your work.
• Ownership: Take initiative to deliver positive results by proactively and creatively solving problems, while maintaining a high degree of quality.
• Respect: Treat everyone with courtesy, politeness, and kindness.
• Innovation: Embrace fresh ideas and fearlessly contribute new solutions to emerging or existing problems.
• Teamwork: Foster collaboration, accountability, and trust with others and understand that together, we do more

For a detailed overview of our employee benefits please visit: http://www.liveoakbank.com/careers/

Employee Benefits

• Please note that we provide at least the minimum requirement of paid sick leave to our employees who reside in states that require employer‑paid sick leave, including but not limited to Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

Live Oak Bank is an Affrightive Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.

We consider applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status or disability.

Equal access to programs, service and employment is available to all persons.

Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify human resources at [e-mail].

EEO is the Law

The base pay range for this position is $128,500.00 - $179,900.00 per year.

Compensation may also include annual bonuses and long‑term incentives, subject to various metrics and company policy.

A candidate’s salary is determined by several factors including travel, relevant work experience or skills and expertise.

More than just a job, a career at Live Oak is an opportunity to mold the future of the banking industry.

Live Oak Bank would not be the top SBA 7(a) and USDA lender in the country without our people.

We focus on hiring folks who are dedicated to living our values, every single day.

Together, we’re on a mission to be America’s small business bank.

At Live Oak we never lose sight of focusing on the wellbeing of our folks. We believe our employees are the heart of our company and drive our commitment to our customers.

As part of the Live Oak team, you’ll have the chance to shape the next chapter of banking while supporting the backbone of our nation – small businesses.