Branch Manager - Brainerd, MN

Affinity Plus; Minnesota; On-site; USD 56,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401K matching up to 5%

Paid time off and wellness benefits

Job summary

Affinity Plus in Brainerd Lakes, MN is seeking a Branch Manager I to lead a team delivering high-quality, compliant operations and exceptional member service. You will drive performance, grow staff capabilities, and manage branch initiatives in partnership with leadership.

You will oversee daily operations, enforce regulatory standards, and promote a positive workplace culture while engaging with the community and ensuring member satisfaction. A strong leadership background is essential.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of formal leadership experience managing teams in a small-sized market.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Affinity Plus’s operations, services and financial data.
• Experience in consumer lending, checking/savings accounts, IRAs, CDs, and other credit union products preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day team/branch operations to ensure efficiency and alignment with goals.
• Build, coach, and develop staff; provide timely feedback and performance planning.
• Hire, onboard, and train team members to meet business needs and maintain high standards.
• Oversee budgets and schedules; ensure reports and compliance with policies and regulations.
• Drive strategic initiatives, process improvements, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Promote Affinity Plus in the community and enhance member experience.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Coaching and feedback

Decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Adaptability

Member service focus

Operational knowledge

Budgeting

Job description

At Affinity Plus every employee understands how their work affects our members experience and we strive to provide an experience that can't be found anywhere else. Great service starts with great employees and that is why we focus on providing not only the best place our members will ever bank but the best place our employees will ever work. Between our one of a kind culture, incredible benefits, and work/life balance; we believe you will feel the Affinity Plus difference.

Position Summary

The Branch Manager I role leads a team to deliver high-quality, efficient, and compliant operations while driving team performance and growth in a single branch or channel. The role partners with leadership to drive strategic initiatives, optimize processes, and ensure alignment with organizational goals. Through developing team members, managing operational performance, strengthening community presence, and driving key initiatives, this role significantly contributes to the success of the department and the organization as a whole.

Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management

• Provide day to day leadership for the team/branch, ensuring operations run efficiently and align with organizational goals.
• Build, develop, and coach employees to strengthen capabilities, encourage innovation, and support career growth.
• Give timely, specific, actionable feedback and manage performance through coaching, evaluations, development plans, and performance actions.
• Create a collaborative, inclusive environment that promotes learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, and training to ensure the team is prepared to meet business needs.
• Hold self and others accountable for high performance, professional development, and adherence to expectations.
• Conduct regular team meetings and individual check ins to drive engagement and ensure employees are informed of organizational updates, policy changes, and priorities.
• Build strong relationships that foster team connection, belonging, and a positive workplace culture.
• Participate in local and statewide leadership development activities.

Operational Management and Compliance

• Oversee daily operational activities, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and compliance with all policies, procedures, regulations, and quality standards.
• Monitor key metrics, performance trends, and resource needs to inform decisions and optimize operations.
• Create and manage schedules to ensure appropriate staffing levels that meet member needs.
• Ensure branch completion of required reports, including monthly verification reports.
• Assist employees and members by resolving escalated or complex issues.
• Maintain working knowledge of all member facing roles to support operational needs.
• Prepare and manage departmental or branch budgets, ensuring responsible use of resources.

Strategic Alignment and Cross-Functional Partnership

• Lead and support departmental or branch projects, process improvements, and change initiatives.
• Partner with cross functional leaders to align team goals with broader organizational strategies and priorities.
• Serve as a decision maker for escalations, operational challenges, and process enhancements.
• Represent the team/branch in leadership forums, communicating progress, challenges, and updates to stakeholders.
• Support organizational and area initiatives involving promotions, omni channel experience, projects, and targeted goals.

Community Engagement and Member Experience

• Promote Affinity Plus within the community by participating in outreach and business development activities.
• Ensure employees stay focused on delivering exceptional service, meeting member needs, and achieving organizational goals.
• Demonstrate positive trending in member and employee experience metrics such as engagement, growth, and service feedback.

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications and Skills

Required Knowledge

• 2+ years of formal leadership experience managing teams in a small-sized market.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Affinity Plus’s or financial industry operations, services, business and financial data.
• Experience in consumer lending, checking/savings accounts, IRAs, CDs, and other credit union products preferred

People Leadership

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team, fostering trust, engagement, and a positive culture aligned with organizational values.
• Proven capability to deliver effective coaching, performance feedback, and development planning that supports employee growth and strengthens team capability.
• Ability to build and sustain a collaborative work environment that promotes accountability, teamwork, and high performance.
• Skilled in motivating and inspiring employees to achieve branch goals, member service, and operational excellence.
• Proven ability to model and uphold the organization’s core values in leadership and actions.

Decision Making

• Strong judgment in analyzing complex member, operational, and employee situations and making timely, sound decisions that align with organizational policies and branch goals.
• Ability to independently determine solutions for escalated issues while appropriately seeking input or escalating matters requiring higher level support.
• Confidence operating within ambiguity and making decisions without having all information available, using strong situational awareness and critical thinking.
• Ability to apply business, financial, and organizational insights to make data-driven decisions, while anticipating impacts across multiple functions in complex or uncertain environments.

Collaboration/Building Relationships

• Proven ability to cultivate open, honest, and trusting relationships with members, employees, community partners, and cross functional teams.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with area leadership and other branches to support shared organizational objectives.

Accountability

• Demonstrated ability to set branch level priorities, manage multiple responsibilities, and ensure goals and deadlines are consistently met.
• Holds self and the branch team accountable to performance expectations, operational standards, and member service commitments.
• Demonstrates resilience and ownership of branch responsibilities, commitments, and outcomes.

Communication

• Strong communication and influencing skills; able to connect decisions to organizational priorities.
• Demonstrates emotional agility to manage relationships and effectively resolve conflicts
• Ability to facilitate team discussions, deliver clear direction, and maintain open, transparent communication across the branch.
• Skilled in active listening, conflict resolution, and providing clear, consistent follow through to maintain trust and credibility.

Learning

• Open to feedback that reflects on personal growth and leadership style
• Proven ability to proactively pursue personal and professional development, set growth goals, and apply new learning to improve outcomes.

Adaptability

• Proven ability to lead through ambiguity, manage change, and drive process improvements

Other Skills

• Effective time management skills and the ability to prioritize workload based on department and employee needs
• Advanced computer and technology skills and knowledge, with the ability to navigate between multiple systems with ease.
• Ability to complete tasks with accuracy and thoroughness.
• Demonstrated reliability, integrity, and ability to maintain confidentiality.

Work Environment

Physical Requirements

• Sitting 90-95% and standing 5-10% which is determined on your rotation within the branch
• Working at a computer 98% of the day, utilizing the phone 40-60%
• Bending, twisting, kneeling, stooping, or crouching when appropriate, on occasion
• Repetitive movements, including but not limited to typing, using a mouse, phones, etc.
• Lift, carry, push or pull up to approximately 50 pounds

Requires face-to-face interaction and/or coordination of work with other employees and departments, and in-person interaction.

Required Work Schedule:

Standard Monday through Friday business hours with a willingness to work a flexible schedule and a Saturday rotation. Consistent and reliable attendance is a required essential function of this role to meet the needs of the department/team and organization.

Location:

This position will be based at our Brainerd Lakes, MN branch.

Compensation:

This position has a starting pay range of $56,100 — $78,500 annually.

In alignment with our commitment to pay transparency, we are providing a good-faith estimate of the pay range for this position. This range reflects what we anticipate offering a successful candidate based on factors such as the role’s responsibilities, required qualifications, and relevant experience. The actual pay may vary depending on the selected candidate’s skills, experience, and other qualifications.

Total Rewards:

Affinity Plus offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package that goes beyond base pay. In partnership with the State of MN Employer Group, Affinity Plus provides low-cost medical, dental and vision insurance coverage options. Additionally, Affinity Plus frontloads all sick time hours and a portion of vacation hours for all new employees, offers a variety of paid leave options, a monthly wellness benefit, and immediate 401K matching up to 5%. Our Total Rewards philosophy is designed to support your well-being and growth while fostering a fair and inclusive workplace.

Disclaimer

Applicants may be subject to a background and credit check. Employees in this position must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the position. If requested, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations to enable employees with disabilities to perform the position’s essential job duties. As markets change and the Organization grows, job descriptions may change over time as requirements and employee skill levels evolve. With this understanding, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Application Deadline

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union accepts applications on a rolling basis.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.