Lending Operations Leader: Strategy, Process & People

Central-Bank-of-Kansas-Cit; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Bank of Kansas City seeks a Director of Lending Operations to lead the lending operating platform across commercial lending coordination, loan documentation, and loan operations. The role reports to the Chief Lending Officer and focuses on translating lending strategy into actionable workflows, controls, and service standards.

You will lead teams, optimize capacity, manage risk, and pursue data-driven improvements that balance customer service with speed and disciplined risk management.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in commercial lending operations or related financial-services function.
• Experience leading employees, managing performance and capacity.
• Strong knowledge of the commercial loan lifecycle from underwriting to servicing.
• Ability to establish priorities within policy while coordinating with executive, credit, legal, or audit.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent banking/leadership experience considered.
• Advanced banking, lending, operations, or leadership education is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and improve the lending operating model with clear workflows, decision rights, and service standards.
• Lead, coach, and develop managers and staff; manage resources and succession.
• Oversee end-to-end loan process from application to portfolio administration with clear ownership.
• Lead documentation and closing quality; monitor defects and post-closing issues.
• Maintain standards for lending coordination, reviews, covenants, and collateral while ensuring control accountability.
• Advance electronic-first operations; evaluate automation to reduce handoffs.
• Develop dashboards and metrics for workflow aging, cycle time, and capacity to drive improvements.
• Escalate material operational, customer, or control concerns in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Systems thinking

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, economics, or related field

Advanced banking / leadership education (preferred)

Job description

Central Bank of Kansas City seeks a Director of Lending Operations to lead the lending operating platform across commercial lending coordination, loan documentation, and loan operations. The role reports to the Chief Lending Officer and focuses on translating lending strategy into actionable workflows, controls, and service standards.

You will lead teams, optimize capacity, manage risk, and pursue data-driven improvements that balance customer service with speed and disciplined risk management.