Market President

Columbia Bank; California; On-site; USD 250,000 - 380,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Job summary

Columbia Bank is seeking a Market President to own strategy, performance, risk, and growth across a defined market in California. You will drive revenue, deposits, loans, and fee income while leading an integrated leadership team and maintaining rigorous risk management and regulatory discipline.

You will collaborate with regional executives to translate priorities into objectives, manage balance-sheet outcomes, and build strong client relationships with local communities and referral networks.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12–15 years of banking/financial services experience with significant leadership responsibility.
• Proven success leading Retail and Business Banking performance across a large market or multi-site geography.
• Direct experience managing commercial relationships and credit with solid underwriting and risk-adjusted returns.

Responsibilities

• Own the market P&L and balance-sheet outcomes across revenue, deposits, loans and fees.
• Lead growth across consumer, small-business, commercial banking and specialist partners.
• Develop market strategy and build an integrated leadership team.
• Maintain asset quality and regulatory compliance within the market (BSA/AML, fair lending, etc.).
• Cultivate relationships with major clients and community leaders to position the bank as a primary financial partner.

Skills

Market leadership

P&L management

Balance-sheet management

Financial acumen

Credit judgment

Portfolio risk

Executive presence

Talent development

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/finance/economics/accounting

MBA or advanced degree

Tools

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Market President owns the performance, growth, risk profile, talent, and reputation of the bank across a defined market or group of closely linked communities. This leader develops and executes a 1–3 year integrated market growth strategy spanning the entire life cycle of our customer base and prospects, with direct accountability for market revenue, deposits, loans, fee income, expenses, profitability, and balance‑sheet outcomes. As the bank's senior local representative, the Market President builds strong client and community relationships, coordinates specialist partners, develops an effective leadership team, and ensures all activity is conducted within the bank's risk appetite and regulatory standards.

About the Role:

Collaborate with the Regional President and other key executives to develop and execute an integrated market plan that reflects the market’s unique needs, translates enterprise priorities into clear objectives and spans the full customer and prospect life cycle. Own the market P&L and balance‑sheet outcomes, including revenue, deposit growth and mix, loan growth and mix, fee income, controllable expenses, profitability, operating leverage, and efficiency. Maintain current knowledge of local economic and competitive trends and use market insights to strengthen positioning and optimize loan, deposit, and fee‑income performance. Lead coordinated growth across consumer, small‑business, commercial banking and specialist partners segments while deepening client relationships and expanding the bank’s role as the primary financial partner. Orchestrate credit, treasury management, payments, mortgage, wealth, and other specialist partners to deliver integrated solutions and a consistent client experience. Establish disciplined pricing, pipeline, portfolio, and performance‑management routines; identify trends and take timely corrective action when results or risk indicators fall below expectations. Maintain strong asset quality and operating discipline by overseeing credit performance, policy exceptions, conduct, compliance, BSA/AML, fair lending, operational controls, and remediation within the market. Lead, select, coach, and hold an accountable integrated market leadership team; build a diverse succession bench and make differentiated talent and resource decisions. Serve as the primary face of the bank in the market by developing relationships with major clients, prospects, civic leaders, community organizations, and referral networks. Direct local community investment and support the bank’s CRA and broader community commitments. Recommend resource allocation, pricing, credit, staffing, and investment actions within delegated authority; elevate material financial, risk, client, or reputation matters appropriately. Partner across markets, regions, and enterprise functions; contribute market insight, best practices, and talent to priorities beyond the home market. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned and comply with all applicable bank policies, procedures, laws and regulations.

About You:

Education Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, accounting, or a related field required; an MBA or other relevant advanced degree is preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and directly relevant banking leadership experience may be considered.

Experience Minimum 12-15 years of progressively responsible banking or financial services experience, including significant leadership responsibility. Demonstrated success leading Retail and Business Banking performance across a significant market, multi‑site geography, or comparable operating unit. Direct experience managing commercial or business‑banking relationships and credit, with sound understanding of underwriting, portfolio quality, pricing, and risk‑adjusted returns. Proven accountability for revenue, expenses, profitability, deposits, loans, fee income, productivity, and other P&L or contribution measures. Experience developing market strategy, building external relationships, leading through other leaders, and delivering balanced growth within a regulated environment.

Skills Enterprise‑minded market leadership and franchise‑building capability. Strong financial acumen, P&L management, balance‑sheet management, and analytical decision‑making. Commercial and business‑credit judgment, including pricing discipline and portfolio‑risk management. Organizational agility and “One Bank” leadership, with the ability to collaborate, navigate, and lead effectively across all revenue‑generating business units and specialist partners to align priorities, integrate solutions, and deliver enterprise‑wide growth. Strategic planning and execution across a 5‑year horizon aligned to the Bank’s strategic plan. Executive presence, influence, negotiation, public‑speaking and relationship‑building with clients and community stakeholders. Talent assessment, coaching, succession planning, and leadership through one or more management layers. Working knowledge of banking regulations and controls, including BSA/AML, fair lending, CRA, conduct, compliance, credit, and operational risk. Clear written and verbal communication; ability to translate complex priorities into accountable action. Sound judgment, integrity, adaptability, and the ability to balance growth, risk, client, talent, and community priorities.

Travel Requirements:

Frequent

The pay range for this role is $250,000 to $380,000. The pay rate for the selected candidate is dependent upon a variety of non‑discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience, education, and geographic location. The role may be eligible for performance‑based incentive compensation, and those details will be provided during the recruitment process.

Primary Location:

Ability to work fully onsite at posted location(s).

11720 El Camino Real, Suite 150 San Diego CA 92130

Our Benefits:

We are proud to offer a competitive total rewards package including base wages and comprehensive benefits. We offer eligible associates comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), a 401(k)-retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions, an employee assistance program, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition assistance, mental health resources, identity theft protection, legal support, auto and home insurance, pet insurance, access to an online discount marketplace, and paid vacation, sick days, volunteer days, and holidays. Benefit eligibility begins the first day of the month following the date of hire for associates who are regularly scheduled to work at least thirty hours weekly.

Our Commitment to Diversity:

Columbia Bank is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to employing, engaging, and developing a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, protected veteran status, disability, or any other applicable protected status or characteristics. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview(s), please let us know by email: [e-mail].

At Columbia Bank, we’re redefining what it means to bank and to build a career.

As the West’s premier banking experience, we combine the strength and scale of a leading financial institution with the heart and mindset of a community bank. With more than 350 locations across eight states, we deliver relationship‑based service backed by regional expertise and resources that help families and businesses thrive. Our culture is built on Do RIGHT, which means:

• Relationships: We create authentic connections with customers, colleagues, and communities.


• Impact: Every role here makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives and local economies.


• Growth: We invest in your success with career development, mentorship, and learning opportunities.


• Heart: We care deeply about doing what’s best for our customers and each other.


• Trust: Integrity and transparency guide everything we do.

Why work for Columbia Bank?

A strong, stable financial foundation with over $67 billion in assets and a diverse portfolio that supports flexibility and opportunity. A culture of belonging and purpose, where your ideas matter and your work has impact. Competitive benefits and flexibility designed to help you thrive personally and professionally. Community engagement that matters, from supporting local businesses to empowering youth through financial literacy initiatives.