EVP Head of Commercial

RockBridge Search; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

RockBridge Search seeks an accomplished Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking to lead Irvine's growing commercial banking operation. The role requires shaping strategy, building lending teams, and delivering measurable results while maintaining client relationships and sound credit judgment.

You will influence the platform’s direction, drive profitability, and ensure disciplined portfolio management with a client‑centric culture. Location: Irvine, CA.

Qualifications

• Extensive commercial banking experience with a proven record of senior leadership or division leadership.
• Strong background in commercial lending including C&I, CRE, middle‑market, and complex credit relationships.
• Advanced education or relevant industry credentials are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall management of the commercial banking division.
• Develop and execute strategies to expand market share, profitability, and client relationships.
• Lead and mentor commercial banking leaders, relationship managers, lenders, and support teams.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic direction

Relationship management

Commercial lending

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Business/Economics

Job description

Lead with Vision. Build with Purpose. Drive Commercial Banking Forward.

We’re looking for an accomplished, strategic, and highly influential Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking to take the helm of a growing commercial banking operation in Irvine, California. This is an opportunity for a seasoned banking executive who knows how to build exceptional lending teams, cultivate meaningful client relationships, identify profitable opportunities, and turn a strong commercial banking strategy into measurable results.

This isn't simply a leadership position. It's an opportunity to shape the direction of a commercial banking platform, influence organizational growth, strengthen market presence, and establish a culture where relationship banking, sound credit judgment, accountability, and exceptional client service are at the center of everything.

The ideal candidate brings a powerful combination of executive leadership, commercial lending expertise, business development capabilities, and financial acumen. You understand the numbers, recognize the opportunities behind them, and know how to bring the right people together to make things happen. You're comfortable setting the vision, making important decisions, developing talent, and rolling up your sleeves when the business needs your experience.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall management of the commercial banking division, ensuring business objectives align with the institution's long‑term growth strategy.

Develop and execute comprehensive commercial banking strategies designed to expand market share, increase profitability, strengthen client relationships, and generate sustainable revenue.

Lead, mentor, and develop commercial banking leaders, relationship managers, lenders, and supporting teams while establishing clear performance expectations and accountability.

Drive business development initiatives across Commercial & Industrial (C&I), Commercial Real Estate (CRE), owner‑occupied real estate, middle‑market, and other commercial lending segments.

Identify new markets, industries, client opportunities, and strategic relationships that support continued portfolio expansion and revenue growth.

Build and maintain relationships with high‑value commercial clients, business owners, executives, investors, centers of influence, and community leaders.

Oversee commercial loan production, deposit generation, treasury management opportunities, portfolio performance, and overall relationship profitability.

Establish and monitor key performance indicators, production goals, financial targets, and operational benchmarks.

Partner closely with executive leadership, credit administration, risk management, loan operations, and compliance to ensure sound lending practices and disciplined portfolio management.

Maintain strong credit quality through appropriate underwriting standards, loan structure, risk assessment, concentration management, and ongoing portfolio oversight.

Evaluate complex lending opportunities and provide executive‑level guidance on credit decisions, deal structuring, risk exposure, and relationship strategy.

Monitor economic conditions, competitive trends, interest rate movements, and industry developments to identify opportunities and potential challenges.

Champion a relationship‑driven banking culture built on responsiveness, integrity, collaboration, and long‑term client success.

Work collaboratively with internal departments to improve processes, enhance the client experience, and strengthen operational efficiency.

Represent the organization in the marketplace, industry events, business associations, and community initiatives.

Provide executive reporting and strategic recommendations regarding commercial banking performance, growth opportunities, profitability, and risk exposure.

Ensure the division operates within established regulatory requirements, internal policies, and applicable banking standards.

Identify opportunities to improve talent development, succession planning, organizational structure, and overall departmental effectiveness.

What You’ll Bring to the Table

Extensive commercial banking experience with a proven record of success in senior leadership, executive management, or commercial banking division leadership.

Demonstrated experience developing and executing successful commercial banking growth strategies.

A strong background in commercial lending, including C&I, CRE, middle‑market, and complex commercial credit relationships.

A proven ability to generate new business, expand existing relationships, and lead successful business development initiatives.

Significant experience managing commercial banking teams, developing high‑performing lenders, and building a culture of accountability and collaboration.

Strong understanding of credit underwriting, loan structuring, portfolio management, credit risk, and regulatory expectations.

Demonstrated financial and analytical capabilities, including the ability to evaluate profitability, production trends, portfolio performance, and business opportunities.

Exceptional leadership, communication, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills.

The ability to influence decisions at the executive level while maintaining strong working relationships throughout the organization.

A strategic mindset paired with the ability to execute, adapt, and deliver measurable business results.

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline preferred; advanced education or relevant industry credentials are a plus.

The Leadership Profile

We're looking for someone who can see the big picture without losing sight of the details that make a banking operation successful.

You are commercially minded, financially disciplined, and relationship focused. You know that sustainable growth doesn't happen by chasing every deal that walks through the door. It comes from understanding the market, selecting the right opportunities, managing risk intelligently, and developing people who know how to build lasting relationships.

You bring confidence without ego, strategic thinking without unnecessary complexity, and leadership that inspires people to perform at their best. You're comfortable challenging existing processes, introducing fresh ideas, and making decisions that move the organization forward.

Most importantly, you understand that great commercial banking is built on trust, sound judgment, strong teams, and the ability to deliver for clients when it matters most.

The Opportunity

If you're an experienced commercial banking executive ready to influence strategy, lead talented professionals, expand a commercial banking platform, and make a meaningful impact on an organization's future, this is a leadership opportunity worth exploring.

Location: Irvine, California
Compensation: $220,000–$270,000 annually