Commercial Relationship Manager

Highland Consulting Group; Connecticut; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Highland Consulting Group is partnering with a Southern Connecticut bank to recruit a Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager. The role emphasizes sourcing new business, building strong client relationships, and delivering sound credit judgments in a collaborative, small-bank environment.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in commercial banking with a focus on loan origination, underwriting, and portfolio management, plus strong networking in the Connecticut market.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of commercial banking experience with loan origination, underwriting, and/or portfolio management.
• Proven track record generating commercial loan and deposit business.
• Strong credit and financial analysis skills with risk awareness.
• SBA lending experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop new commercial lending and deposit relationships within the target market.
• Build and maintain a network of business owners, professionals, and referral sources.
• Source, structure, analyze, and present commercial loan opportunities.
• Evaluate creditworthiness and relationship potential of borrowers.
• Manage commercial loan relationships from origination through closing and portfolio management.
• Prepare and present loan presentations for internal/committee approval.
• Collaborate with credit and lending teams to ensure sound loan structures.
• Monitor portfolio including annual reviews, maturities, and extensions.
• Identify opportunities to deepen relationships through lending and deposits.
• Participate in local business and community activities to support growth.

Skills

Relationship building

Business development

Credit underwriting

Portfolio management

Loan origination

Commercial banking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field

Job description

We’re partnered with a bank in Southern Connecticut as they look to add a Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager to their team.

This is an opportunity to join a community-focused bank that is investing in its commercial lending platform. The bank has a strong commitment to the local market and is looking for an experienced lender who can bring relationships, business development skills, sound credit judgment, and a willingness to be part of a collaborative team.

You’ll have the opportunity to source your own business, build relationships in the market, structure and present deals, and help grow both the commercial loan portfolio and core deposit base. For the right person, this is a role where experience and relationships can have a direct impact on the bank and the customers it serves.

This is a lean organization, and that’s intentional. There aren’t layers of bureaucracy or a long list of people standing between you and a decision. The bank values good judgment, personal accountability, and getting things done. The equation for success is simple: If you’re a good person, do the right things, and hit your goals, you’ll be treated like an adult and recognized for your efforts.

The bank has a strong track record in Commercial Real Estate Lending (CRE), but a person who also has SBA or C&I experience would be attractive.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop new commercial lending and deposit relationships within the bank's target market.
• Build and maintain a network of business owners, professionals, centers of influence, and other referral sources.
• Source, structure, analyze, and present commercial loan opportunities.
• Evaluate the creditworthiness and overall relationship potential of prospective borrowers.
• Manage commercial loan relationships from origination through closing and ongoing portfolio management.
• Prepare and present loan presentations for internal and committee approval.
• Work closely with credit and lending team members to ensure sound loan structures and timely decisions.
• Monitor the assigned loan portfolio, including annual reviews, maturities, extensions, and other ongoing relationship needs.
• Identify opportunities to deepen existing relationships through additional lending and commercial deposit products.
• Participate in local business and community activities that support relationship development and the bank's community-focused mission.
• Step in and contribute across the organization when needed in a small-bank environment.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of commercial banking experience with a focus on loan origination, credit underwriting, and/or portfolio management.
• Proven success generating commercial loan and deposit business.
• Strong commercial credit and financial analysis skills, with the ability to recognize both opportunities and potential risks.
• Experience with commercial real estate lending, particularly owner-occupied, investment, and multifamily properties.
• Experience with SBA lending is preferred.
• A demonstrated ability to manage commercial relationships from business development through underwriting, approval, closing, and portfolio management.
• Strong ties to the Connecticut market and an understanding of the local business community.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field preferred, but career experience and a strong track record will be given significant consideration.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills.
• Someone who is comfortable working independently and sourcing their own business.
• A team-oriented professional who is willing to contribute beyond a narrowly defined job description.
• Most importantly, someone who values relationships, uses good judgment, and takes pride in doing things the right way.

Why Consider It?

• Join a growing lending team: The bank is committed to the market and has a strategic plan of how they will grow the lending team not only with this role, but beyond.
• Make an impact: This is a lean organization where your experience, relationships, and ideas can have a direct impact on the bank's growth.
• Less bureaucracy, more autonomy: You'll have the ability to source and structure business without unnecessary layers of red tape.
• Local decision-making: Access to underwriting, senior management, Loan Committee, and the Board.
• Be treated like an adult: The culture is straightforward. Be a good person, do the right things, hit your goals, and you'll be given the trust and autonomy to do your job.
• Competitive compensation and benefits: The bank offers a competitive salary, quarterly production incentive, annual bonus opportunity, and comprehensive benefits package.