Sr. Commercial Relationship Manager

First Financial Bank; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 210,000; Full time

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Job summary

First Financial Bank is seeking a seasoned Relationship Manager to handle multi-faceted client relationships across a geographic area in Illinois. You will drive loan, deposit, and fee generation while ensuring credit quality, underwriting accuracy, and cross-selling across products.

The role demands extensive banking experience, strong sales acumen, and the ability to work with senior management to meet market goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Ten (10) years of proven relationship/account management experience selling banking products.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to generate new business through a consultative sales approach.
• Demonstrated sales and negotiating experience.
• Marketing oriented.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups in managing customer relationships.
• Well versed in product knowledge.
• Credit training, credit quality and underwriting experience; including financial analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develops new and expands existing client relationships by initiating business development activities, proactively reviewing client’s current and changing financial needs, and cross selling products and services.
• Grows and maintains a profitable book of business (loans and deposits) to achieve individual and market goals.
• Develops a comprehensive understanding of client’s needs based on the review and analysis of personal and financial data.
• Qualifies prospects by collecting and analyzing financial data to determine credit worthiness.
• Prepares and oversees loan approval requirements including underwriting to meet borrower and bank needs.
• Obtains appropriate credit approval for consideration.
• Recommends terms under which credit will be extended including pricing, fees, collateral, etc.
• Responsible for portfolio management including monitoring credit quality and compliance.
• Represents First Financial Bank in community, civic and professional organizations.
• Refers loans to loan committee for approval.
• Understands clients’ financial goals and cross-sell relevant products.
• Collaborates with Bankers, Managers, Credit/Underwriting teams and senior management.
• Participates in bank marketing and sales promotions and adheres to policies.

Skills

Relationship management

Sales experience

Credit underwriting

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Consultative selling

Negotiation

Marketing ability

Team collaboration

Product knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

We do the right things, right now. We do them in a way that is relevant to our clients. Become a part of our history as it continues to be written! The Relationship Manager (“RM”) will handle multi-faceted relationships as you call on prospective and existing clients to generate loans, deposits, and fees for a geographic area. The RM will determine credit eligibility, prepare loan narratives, ensure loans meet appropriate criteria, and effectively cross-sell a wide variety of products. Responsibilities include marketing products and services, including preparing for client calls, making sales calls, and call follow-up as well as monitoring and enhancing profitability on all assigned relationships. The Relationship Manager participates in the achievement of corporate sales and service goals to build customer (external/internal) relationships and enhance shareholder value. The position will generally be located in a market hub or other high business potential.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Develops new and expands existing client relationships by initiating business development activities, proactively reviewing client’s current and changing financial needs, and cross selling products and services.
• Grows and maintains a profitable book of business (loans and deposits) to achieve individual and market goals.
• Develops a comprehensive understanding of client’s needs based on the review and analysis of personal and financial data.
• Qualifies prospects by collecting and analyzing financial and related data in order to determine the general credit worthiness of the prospect and the merits of the specific loan requests.
• Prepares and oversees the completion of the loan approval requirements including careful underwriting of the loan so that the structure meets the needs of the borrower and the bank.
• Obtains appropriate approval for credit under consideration.
• Recommends and negotiates the terms under which the credit will be extended to include pricing fees, costs repayment method and schedule, collateral requirements, etc.
• Responsible for portfolio management including monitoring credit quality which includes past due credits, non-performing and credit exceptions, covenant compliance and credit exceptions of their active portfolio.
• Actively participates and represents First Financial Bank in various community, civic and professional organizations.
• Refers loans to loan committee for approval.
• Responsible for understanding clients’ financial goals, provide credible advice and recommend products that fit their holistic needs.
• Intimately understand clients’ business priorities and refer them to other lines of business as appropriate.
• Collaborates with Bankers, Financial Center Managers, Retail Leaders, Credit/Underwriting, Loan Processing and Documentation teams and Bank senior management.
• Participates in all bank marketing and sales promotions, contributes to initiatives and programs designed to promote organization’s strategic priorities, complies with all bank, loan and regulatory guidelines and policies.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed to Perform Essential Functions of the Job

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Ten (10) years of proven relationship/account management experience selling banking products in the appropriate segmentation required.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to generate new business through a consultative sales approach.
• Demonstrated sales and negotiating experience.
• Marketing oriented.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups in managing customer relationships.
• Well versed in product knowledge.
• Credit training, credit quality and underwriting experience; including financial analysis.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated experience working in Capital Markets and/or within the Middle Market space ($75MM+).
• Experience in Structured Finance, Asset Based Lending (ABL), ESOP, and/or leading syndicated transactions.

Level of Complexity and Scope

Strong sales ability and relationship management skills.

Degree of Independence and Decision-Making

Works with limited supervision. Collaborates with senior managers / leaders across the organization. Authority and freedom to act independently and make decisions within broad interpretation of laws, regulations and company policies. Such decisions could have a significant short-term effect on company financial results and business prospects.

Compliance Statement

The associate is responsible for meeting all compliance requirements imposed on First Financial Bank by State and Federal law and regulation, as well as all related First Financial Bank policies and procedures. This includes all Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering, OFAC and Suspicious Activity reporting requirements, as well as all other lending and deposit compliance requirements.

Pay Range

Pay Range: $125,000/annually to $210,000/annually

Benefits

We have relevant, thoughtful benefits and programs that support every aspect of our associates' holistic wellbeing. Please review our Benefits Guide.

Incentive Eligibility

All roles are incentive eligible with the exception of Co-Op, Intern, or Student positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is our policy to not discriminate against any individual in violation of federal, state, and local laws as it relates to age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran/military service, or any other characteristic protected by law.

E-Verify

We are an E-Verify Employer.

Mission

At first financial bank, our mission is clear: to be the best bank to do business with, the best place to work, and the best financial partner for our shareholders and the communities we serve. We believe that how we work is just as important as what we achieve. That’s why we’re guided by core values that shape everything we do: Doing the right thing Teamwork Mutual respect Wellbeing Excellence.

Our People

Our success starts with our people. We know that when our associates are talented, engaged, and supported, they create outstanding results. If you're looking to be part of a team that values integrity, inclusion, and collaboration—and where your growth matters—you’ll find your future here.