Relationship Manager

Gilder Search Group; Oxnard (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilder Search Group seeks a Commercial Banking Relationship Manager in Ventura County, CA. The role is office-based with regular client and community-facing activity, focusing on developing and managing a portfolio of commercial and CRE clients.

You will originate loans, deposits, and related banking services, while building long-term client relationships and a local center of influence network to grow the portfolio and drive profitability.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of commercial banking or CRE lending experience.
• Proven loan origination and relationship-management track record.
• Established Southern California client network.
• Experience with investor/non-owner-occupied CRE lending.
• Ability to develop both loan and deposit relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop new commercial and CRE banking relationships.
• Originate CRE loans, including investor/non-owner-occupied.
• Generate and expand deposit relationships.
• Manage and retain an existing portfolio.
• Develop referral relationships with COIs.
• Maintain active presence in business/community organizations.
• Collaborate with leadership to meet objectives.
• Ensure compliance with credit policies and regulations.
• Maintain sound credit judgment.
• Contribute to portfolio growth and profitability.

Skills

Relationship development

Loan origination

Client-facing

Networking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent banking experience

Job description

Commercial Banking Relationship Manager

Location: Ventura County, California
Work Environment: Primarily office-based, with regular client and community-facing activity.

Opportunity Overview

A well-established Southern California banking organization is seeking an experienced Commercial Banking Relationship Manager to develop and manage a portfolio of commercial and commercial real estate clients.

This opportunity is designed for a relationship-driven banker who enjoys originating new business, developing long-term client relationships, and maintaining an active presence in the local business community.

The successful candidate will be responsible for generating commercial and/or commercial real estate loans, deposits, and additional banking relationships while helping retain and expand an existing portfolio.

What Makes This Opportunity Different

• Relationship-driven commercial banking environment
• Strong emphasis on direct client development and long-term relationships
• Opportunity to originate both commercial and commercial real estate business
• Established presence in the Southern California market
• Ability to build a meaningful portfolio through personal relationships and centers of influence
• Competitive base compensation with annual incentive opportunity
• Visible role in the growth and performance of the local banking office
• Opportunity for an experienced banker to combine business development with relationship management

Responsibilities

• Develop new commercial and commercial real estate banking relationships.
• Originate commercial and non-owner-occupied commercial real estate loans.
• Generate and expand deposit relationships and other appropriate banking services.
• Manage and retain an existing portfolio of commercial clients.
• Develop referral relationships with business owners, investors, brokers, CPAs, attorneys, and other centers of influence.
• Maintain an active presence in relevant business, civic, and community organizations.
• Work collaboratively with banking leadership and internal partners to meet loan, deposit, revenue, and relationship-growth objectives.
• Ensure relationships and transactions comply with applicable credit policies, operating procedures, regulatory requirements, and internal controls.
• Maintain sound credit judgment while balancing client service and business-development objectives.
• Contribute to the overall growth and profitability of the commercial banking team.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Approximately 5+ years of commercial banking, commercial real estate lending, or closely related experience preferred.
• Demonstrated commercial loan origination and relationship-management success.
• Established network of clients, prospects, and centers of influence within the Southern California market.
• Experience with commercial real estate lending, particularly investor/non-owner-occupied CRE, strongly valued.
• Ability to develop both loan and deposit relationships.
• Strong understanding of commercial credit and lending fundamentals.
• Proven ability to independently prospect, originate, and expand relationships.
• Excellent communication and client-facing skills.
• Four-year degree preferred; equivalent relevant banking experience will be considered.
• Strong professional reputation and commitment to sound banking and compliance practices.

Preferred Book / Business Characteristics

The strongest candidates will have an established or highly repeatable network of commercial relationships rather than relying primarily on institution-generated opportunities.

Relevant business may include commercial operating companies, real estate investors and owners, established privately held businesses, and other commercial borrowers requiring lending, deposit, and broader banking solutions.

Candidates should be comfortable discussing recent production, portfolio composition, typical transaction size, referral sources, deposit relationships, and their personal role in originating business.

Not a Fit If You

• Prefer primarily managing an inherited portfolio rather than developing new relationships.
• Rely almost exclusively on internally generated leads.
• Have limited commercial credit or lending experience.
• Are uncomfortable prospecting and developing centers of influence.
• Have little interest in generating deposit relationships alongside lending business.
• Prefer a fully remote environment.
• Do not enjoy maintaining an active presence in the local business community.

Compensation

The anticipated base salary range willdepend on experience, qualifications, production capability, and other relevant factors.

The position is also eligible for an annual performance-based incentive. Overall compensation will be evaluated in the context of the candidate's experience, track record, market relationships, and ability to contribute to the growth of the commercial banking portfolio.

Confidential Closing

This is a confidential search for an experienced commercial banker who combines strong relationship-management skills with a demonstrated ability to originate new business.

Candidates who are currently performing well but would consider a platform where they can continue building meaningful commercial relationships are encouraged to explore the opportunity confidentially.