Chief Credit Officer

gpac; Germantown (TN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

gpac is representing a growing Community Bank seeking a Chief Credit Officer (CCO) with deep credit leadership and commercial lending experience to oversee credit administration and portfolio quality.

The ideal candidate will drive sound, profitable growth, lead Credit Analysts and underwriters, and partner with lenders on loan structure, risk mitigation, and credit strategy while maintaining regulatory compliance and risk controls.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive commercial banking experience preferred.
• Strong background in commercial lending and credit administration.
• Leadership roles as CCO, Senior Credit Officer, Credit Manager, or similar.
• Experience with complex/high-dollar commercial credits.
• Advanced knowledge of underwriting, financial analysis, global cash flow, loan structuring, risk ratings.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of the credit function and commercial loan portfolio.
• Establish and maintain credit policies, underwriting standards, risk tolerances, and approval procedures.
• Review and approve complex C&I, CRE, construction, and commercial credits.
• Partner with Commercial Lenders on loan structure, pricing, risk mitigation, and credit strategy.
• Report credit quality, portfolio trends, concentrations, and risk exposure to Executive Management and the Board.
• Coordinate with regulators, auditors, loan review, attorneys, and third-party professionals.
• Maintain knowledge of FDIC, OCC, state banking regulations, and lending compliance.

Skills

Commercial lending

Credit administration

Leadership

Relationship management

Credit policy

Underwriting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Business Administration

Job description

Chief Credit Officer - Commercial Lending

A growing Community Bank is seeking an experienced Chief Credit Officer (CCO) with a strong background in both credit leadership and commercial lending. This executive-level role will oversee credit administration, portfolio quality, and overall credit risk while partnering with the lending team to drive sound, profitable growth.

The ideal candidate combines strong credit expertise, lending experience, leadership, and business-minded decision-making-protecting asset quality while recognizing and structuring strong lending opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of the credit function and commercial loan portfolio
• Establish and maintain credit policies, underwriting standards, risk tolerances, and approval procedures
• Review and approve complex C&I, CRE, construction, and commercial credits
• Partner with Commercial Lenders on loan structure, pricing, risk mitigation, and credit strategy
• Serve as a senior resource on complex transactions and credit decisions
• Participate in key client/prospect meetings when credit expertise is needed
• Monitor portfolio quality, concentrations, delinquencies, criticized/classified assets, exceptions, and emerging risks
• Oversee risk ratings, annual reviews, covenant compliance, documentation, and portfolio monitoring
• Lead and develop Credit Analysts, Underwriters, Portfolio Managers, and credit personnel
• Lead or actively participate in the Loan/Credit Committee
• Evaluate financial statements, tax returns, global cash flow, collateral, guarantor strength, and repayment capacity
• Report credit quality, portfolio trends, concentrations, and risk exposure to Executive Management and the Board
• Coordinate with regulators, auditors, loan review, attorneys, and third-party professionals
• Maintain knowledge of FDIC, OCC, state banking regulations, and lending compliance
• Assist with strategic initiatives involving loan growth, market expansion, credit appetite, and portfolio diversification

Commercial Lending Focus

• Proven commercial lending and relationship management experience
• Strong knowledge of C&I, CRE, and construction lending
• Ability to structure deals balancing client needs, profitability, and credit risk
• Comfortable working with business owners, developers, investors, lenders, and key clients
• Ability to help lenders win and retain quality relationships
• Understanding of both loan and deposit relationship growth

Ideal Candidate

• 10+ years of progressive commercial banking experience preferred
• Strong background in commercial lending and credit administration
• Leadership experience as a CCO, Senior Credit Officer, Credit Manager, Senior Commercial Lender, or similar
• Experience with complex/high-dollar commercial credits
• Advanced knowledge of underwriting, financial analysis, global cash flow, loan structuring, risk ratings, and portfolio management
• Business-minded approach to credit and risk management
• Strong leadership, communication, judgment, and decision-making skills
• Experience working with Executive Management, Boards, regulators, lenders, and clients
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field preferred

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.