Regional CRE Credit Leader – Risk & Growth

associatedbank; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 168,000 - 288,000; Full time

Job summary

Associated Bank seeks a Regional Credit Manager to provide credit leadership, risk oversight, and approval support for our Commercial Real Estate Lending teams. This role partners with business leaders to evaluate credit opportunities, maintain portfolio quality, and drive profitable growth while developing a team of experienced credit professionals.

You will evaluate and approve CRE lending requests, guide underwriting standards, and monitor risk across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years of commercial credit administration experience with delegated credit approval authority.
• Experience evaluating complex commercial credit transactions and applying sound risk management practices.
• Previous leadership experience developing, coaching, and managing credit or lending professionals.
• Strong knowledge of commercial lending, credit underwriting, portfolio management, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and approve CRE lending requests while ensuring alignment with credit policies, risk tolerances, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with CRE relationship managers to structure credit solutions that support client needs and business growth.
• Monitor portfolio quality, asset quality ratings, and concentration trends to identify and manage risk proactively.
• Provide guidance on loan policy, underwriting standards, and credit risk management across the organization.
• Collaborate with relationship managers and portfolio managers to strengthen credit analysis and lending practices.
• Support executive reporting, loan loss forecasting, and portfolio reviews through accurate risk assessments.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives, including portfolio acquisitions, integrations, and continuous improvement efforts.

Skills

Credit leadership

Credit underwriting

Portfolio management

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership development

Education

Bachelor's in Business/Finance/Accounting

Job description

Associated Bank seeks a Regional Credit Manager to provide credit leadership, risk oversight, and approval support for our Commercial Real Estate Lending teams. This role partners with business leaders to evaluate credit opportunities, maintain portfolio quality, and drive profitable growth while developing a team of experienced credit professionals.

You will evaluate and approve CRE lending requests, guide underwriting standards, and monitor risk across the organization.