Senior Portfolio Manager

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach; Seal Beach (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach seeks a Senior Portfolio Manager to partner with Regional Relationship Managers, Relationship Managers, Portfolio Bankers, and Portfolio Specialists to assess creditworthiness and borrowing needs of clients. The role oversees credit risk in line with the Bank's risk appetite, policies, and culture.

You will lead and coach the portfolio team, ensuring adherence to sound lending practices and credit standards while mentoring staff in credit analysis and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience, required.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in underwriting commercial real estate loans.
• Prior management/supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage, train, mentor Portfolio Bankers and Portfolio Specialists within the region.
• Direct and manage the region's underwriting pipeline and workflow to meet deadlines.
• Review and approve underwriting analyses and credit recommendations.
• Analyze credit requests to ensure loans are well-structured and within limits.
• Provide leadership and training to credit staff and promote sound lending practices.
• Develop talent by training new staff in credit analysis and portfolio management.

Skills

Commercial loan underwriting

Credit policy

Portfolio management

Relationship management

Team leadership

Training & mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience

Job description

The Senior Portfolio Manager partners closely with Regional Relationship Managers, Relationship Managers, Portfolio Bankers, and Portfolio Specialists to assess the financial condition, creditworthiness, and borrowing needs of both prospective and existing clients. This role is responsible for overseeing and directing Portfolio Bankers and Portfolio Specialists to ensure credit risk is effectively managed in alignment with the Bank's risk appetite, policies, and culture.

Additionally, the Senior Portfolio Manager provides leadership, coaching, and mentorship to the portfolio team, promoting adherence to sound lending practices and credit standards. The role also plays a key part in developing talent by training and supporting team members new to credit analysis and portfolio management.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, train, mentor, and coach Portfolio Bankers and Portfolio Specialists within the region. Monitor individual and team performance and provide ongoing training, coaching, and support as needed. Participate in the recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of high-quality lending professionals.
• Direct and manage the region's underwriting pipeline and workflow to ensure credit requests are processed efficiently, completed in a timely manner, and all deadlines are met.
• Review and approve underwriting analyses, credit recommendations, modification requests, and extension requests prior to submission to Credit Administration.
• Analyze credit requests to assess borrowers' ability to qualify for financing and ensure loans are appropriately structured, risk-rated, and maintained within established lending authorities and limits.
• Ensure portfolio administration and risk management activities for client relationships are conducted in accordance with established credit policies, procedures, strategic objectives, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Manage and monitor large and complex loan relationships by evaluating financing requests and determining the merits of proposed credit structures. Prepare and present formal recommendations to Regional Relationship Managers and Credit Administration.
• Participate in client meetings to strengthen existing relationships, identify client needs, and proactively promote and cross-sell the Bank's products and services.
• Maintain a minimum of two credit trainee and/or intern positions and oversee the development, implementation, and execution of training plans to support their professional growth.
• Review underwriting and portfolio management processes and recommend continuous improvements, including the design of forms, development of procedures, enhancement of workflows, and creation of management reports to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Monitor industry trends and analyze market and sector data to identify emerging risks and opportunities within the region's loan portfolio.

Compliance Responsibilities

Complies with all applicable state and federal banking laws, regulations, and internal policies related but not limited to lending, operations, and deposit requirements, including Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations, Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements, Financial Elder Abuse reporting laws, Sexual Harassment prevention policies, information security and privacy requirements.

Required Knowledge

• Regulation E (EFT)
• UCC
• Bank Secrecy Act
• Deposit Products
• FDIC Insurance
• Investment Products
• Privacy Laws
• Loan Products
• Regulation BB (CRA)
• Loan Documentation
• Regulation B (ECOA)
• Account Services
• Regulation X (RESPA)
• Trust Services
• Regulation Z (Truth about Lending)
• Bank Operations

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Commercial loan underwriting, credit monitoring, and portfolio management
• Credit policy and procedure expertise
• Banking products and services knowledge
• Market and industry analysis
• Strategic judgment and decision-making
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
• Relationship management and client service excellence
• Cross-selling and business development
• Consultative sales and product/service promotion
• Public speaking and presentation skills
• Team leadership and people management
• Training, coaching, and mentoring
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Building and fostering high-performing team environments
• Professional communication with supervisors and colleagues
• Time management and prioritization
• Independent work and self-direction
• Active listening and continuous learning
• Telephone and client interaction skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Strong English communication skills (written and spoken)

Equipment Operated

• Operates standard electronic computers and customary office equipment required to perform essential job functions.
• Use of equipment is required, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Nothing in this description is intended to limit the availability of reasonable accommodation under applicable law.

• Ability to perform repetitive movements associated with office and computer-based work.
• Ability to sit and or stand for extended periods of time to perform essential job functions.
• Ability to lift, carry, or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to manage, manipulate, or feel objects and operate standard office equipment.
• Work is primarily performed in an office environment with a controlled temperature and standard office conditions.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience, required
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in underwriting commercial real estate loans
• Prior management/supervisory experience preferred

Minimum Absence Requirement

Some positions within the Bank have been designated as sensitive positions due to access to critical systems, records, or processes. In accordance with Bank policy and sound internal‑control practices, employees in sensitive positions are required to complete a mandatory consecutive absence from essential duties each calendar year to support segregation of duties and independent review.

The required absence will be scheduled in coordination with management to ensure continuity of operations. Administration of absence, including paid or unpaid status, will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour and leave laws, including California requirements.

Required Minimum Absence for This Position: Two (2) Consecutive Weeks

For qualified positions, the Bank may designate an Officer Title based on the role’s job level, scope of responsibility, and alignment with established competency frameworks. Eligibility for an Officer Title designation is contingent upon the employee meeting defined competency, performance, and experience requirements and is governed by applicable Bank policies, governance standards, and required approval processes.

• This position is eligible for the following Officer Title(s): Vice President and First Vice President.

Compensation

The listed range represents the full compensation range for this position. Placement within the range will be determined based on factors including skills, relevant experience, job‑related qualifications, geographic location, and internal equity, in accordance with Bank compensation policies.

• Exempt Salary Range: $123,760 - $211,120 per year

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned, consistent with business needs and applicable law.

Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach reserve the right to modify, amend, or discontinue job duties or requirements at any time. Nothing in this job description creates a contract of employment, either express or implied, or alters the at‑will nature of employment.