Chief Credit Officer

Hire-Agency; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 190,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Hire-Agency client bank seeks a seasoned Chief Credit Officer in Salt Lake City, UT to own credit philosophy, underwriting standards, and portfolio risk practices. You will report to the CEO and sit on the Executive Committee, guiding credit decisions across commercial lending, equipment finance, SBA, and fintech lines.

Your charge is to protect asset quality, keep the bank exam-ready, and drive consistent, well-reasoned credit decisions across multiple lending lines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, Economics, or a related field (MBA preferred)
• 15+ years of progressive experience in commercial banking or specialty finance
• Prior experience as a Chief Credit Officer, Deputy CCO, Chief Risk Officer, or other senior credit executive (preferred)
• Experience managing complex commercial loan and lease portfolios
• Deep knowledge of commercial and industrial (C&I) lending, equipment finance and leasing, SBA lending, and loan/lease portfolio management

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve the organization's credit philosophy and strategic direction
• Present portfolio performance, credit trends, risk assessments, and recommendations to the Board
• Build, implement, and refine credit policies, procedures, and underwriting standards
• Oversee underwriting, approval, documentation, and monitoring for commercial credit
• Lead loan grading, risk rating, credit review, and portfolio management processes
• Monitor portfolio performance and asset quality trends
• Balance portfolio growth with long-term credit quality and risk-adjusted returns
• Lead a team of 5 direct reports and recruit, develop, and mentor credit professionals
• Chair committees such as Loan, ALCO, and Risk
• Ensure regulatory compliance and audit readiness

Job description

Chief Credit Officer - Salt Lake City, UT Salt Lake City, Utah Compensation: $190,000-$250,000 base + 25% bonus

About the Company

Our client is a privately held commercial bank known for its relationship-first culture and a lending platform that reaches clients nationwide. The bank offers commercial banking, equipment finance and leasing, SBA lending, treasury management, and strategic partnerships with fintech companies.

The organization has grown on a foundation of disciplined credit, responsive service, and steady, deliberate expansion. It is now looking for a seasoned Chief Credit Officer to help lead its next chapter.

The Role

Reporting to the CEO and serving on the Executive Committee, the Chief Credit Officer owns the bank's credit philosophy, underwriting standards, credit culture, and portfolio risk practices. You will work side by side with the CEO, President, Chief Lending Officer, and Board of Directors.

Your charge is to protect asset quality, keep the bank exam-ready, and drive consistent, well-reasoned credit decisions across commercial lending, equipment finance and leasing, SBA, and fintech business lines. The right leader pairs sharp commercial credit judgment with the entrepreneurial mindset a growing specialty lender needs.

What You'll Do

Serve on the Executive Leadership Team and help shape the bank's long-term growth strategy

Define and evolve the organization's credit philosophy and strategic direction

Present portfolio performance, credit trends, risk assessments, and recommendations to the Board

Model a culture of accountability, sound judgment, transparency, and strong client service

Act as a trusted advisor to lending, operations, finance, compliance, and executive leadership

Credit Administration

Build, implement, and refine credit policies, procedures, and underwriting standards

Set credit parameters that protect the bank while enabling responsible growth

Oversee underwriting, approval, documentation, and monitoring for commercial credit

Review and approve large and complex commercial relationships

Drive consistency across commercial lending, equipment finance and leasing, SBA, and specialty lending

Lead loan grading, risk rating, credit review, and portfolio management processes

Track concentrations, industry and geographic exposure, collateral quality, and emerging trends

Make sure equipment loan and lease underwriting accounts for collateral valuation, useful life, residual values, liquidation, and concentration risk

Monitor portfolio performance and asset quality trends

Spot emerging risks early and build strategies to limit credit losses

Oversee management of criticized and classified assets

Set clear risk mitigation strategies and escalation paths

Ensure sound allowance and loan loss reserve methodologies

Lead concentration monitoring, stress testing, portfolio segmentation, and risk reporting

Work proactively with lending leadership on developing concerns

Balance portfolio growth with long-term credit quality and risk-adjusted returns

Regulatory, Governance, and Compliance

Keep the credit function compliant with banking regulations and supervisory expectations

Lead or support relationships with state and federal regulators

Maintain strong governance, documentation, controls, and audit readiness

Oversee internal and external credit reviews

Address examination findings and carry out corrective actions

Hold credit files, approvals, reporting, and policy adherence to a high standard

Team Leadership and Development

Lead a team of 5 direct reports and recruit, develop, and mentor strong credit professionals

Build succession plans and deepen the credit bench

Set clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards

Foster collaboration across credit, lending, operations, compliance, finance, and risk

Encourage timely, thoughtful decisions without losing risk discipline

Build a credit organization that can scale with the business

Chair key committees, including Loan, Asset and Liability (ALCO), and Risk

What You Bring

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, Economics, or a related field (MBA preferred)

15+ years of progressive experience in commercial banking or specialty finance

A track record leading commercial credit administration

Prior experience as a Chief Credit Officer, Deputy CCO, Chief Risk Officer, or other senior credit executive (preferred)

Experience managing complex commercial loan and lease portfolios

Deep knowledge of:

Commercial and industrial (C&I) lending

Equipment finance and leasing

SBA lending

Loan and lease portfolio management

Credit policy and underwriting standards

Loan grading and risk rating systems

Banking regulations, exams, and regulatory expectations

Comfort presenting to executive teams and Boards of Directors

Proven ability to fuel growth while protecting asset quality and credit discipline

You'll thrive here if you have:

Exceptional commercial credit judgment

Strategic vision paired with practical, timely decision-making

Strong executive presence and communication skills

High integrity and professional credibility

A collaborative, approachable leadership style

The ability to earn trust with regulators, lenders, executives, and Board members

Energy for a growing organization where your decisions are visible

The balance to stay responsive to clients while holding the line on risk

Bonus Points

Experience in any of these areas will stand out:

National commercial lending platforms

Equipment finance and leasing

Vendor finance or indirect equipment programs

Specialty commercial lending

SBA lending

Embedded banking or fintech partnerships

High-growth financial institutions

Privately owned or entrepreneurial financial organizations

Technology-driven credit and underwriting platforms

Why This Role

This is not a traditional oversight seat. As Chief Credit Officer, you will have real influence over credit philosophy, portfolio strategy, equipment finance growth, risk management, talent development, and the bank's overall direction.

You will join an entrepreneurial institution that blends relationship-driven service with the sophistication of a national commercial lending and equipment finance platform.