SVP, Senior Lender (Vermont)

The Business Bank (formerly Bank of Burlington); Burlington (VT); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Above-market base salary

Bonus structure

Potential equity grant

Job summary

A leading commercial bank in Burlington, VT, seeks a Senior Lender to manage its loan and deposit portfolio. You will lead a team, originate a variety of business loans, and enhance community relationships. The ideal candidate should possess at least 15 years of commercial lending experience, strong leadership, credit skills, and proven success in relationship management. This role includes a competitive salary structure with potential equity grants, emphasizing a collaborative and performance-driven culture.

Qualifications

• Proven record in commercial lending and managing lending portfolios.
• Experience with C&I, commercial real estate, and construction lending.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a team in the Vermont market.
• Originate and close various business-purpose loans.
• Represent the bank and deepen community connections.
• Ensure compliance with lending policies and market growth objectives.

Skills

Commercial lending experience

Leadership skills

Sales skills

Relationship management

Credit skills

Education

15 years of commercial lending experience

Job description

Orchard Executive Search has been retained by The Business Bank (formerly Bank of Burlington), a high-performing commercial bank building momentum across New England, to find a Senior Lender who will set the tone and be the face of the bank in the Vermont business community.

This is a rare seat:

You will own the Vermont loan & deposit portfolio, build and lead a team of RM's and PM's and help shape a performance based, credit-disciplined culture as the institution scales from a $300MM bank to a $1B+ platform.

Reports to: Chief Lending Officer & VT Market President

Compensation: Above market base salary plus bonus

Upside: Equity grant possible

Location: Burlington, VT

Why this role is different?

• Commercial banking focus, done exceptionally well. True white glove relationship banking
• Real runway. Aggressive growth targets fully supported by a streamlined process, agile environment, entrepreneurial pricing and structure
• Exceedingly strong senior leadership bench. Experienced executives from larger institutions across New England; collaborative credit/lending partnership
• A-players hire A-players. You’ll be empowered to build the team you desire and given increasing authority over time to achieve bank and individual goals

What you’ll do:

• Represent the bank in the community and deepen COI networks
• Originate and close C&I, CRE, construction, municipal and other business-purpose loans
• Drive both loan and deposit growth in the Vermont market
• Build/execute a market business development plan and formal calling program
• Lead and develop Vermont RMs/PMs; be the “go-to” for deal screening and credit discipline

What success looks like:

• 3 months: community outreach + market visibility; trust built with exec team + VT office; create clear growth plan
• 6 months: produce measurable momentum, drive new account introductions & COIs, launch a calling program, become the go-to person for deal screening through a solid understanding of the bank’s credit culture and desired account types
• 12 months: Achieve notable competition with other bank markets across New England; durable local lending culture established; actively targeting new talent for the VT team

Who thrives here:

• You’re disciplined and mature, with a great sense of humor and a style that reflects humble, transparent communication
• You are relationship-driven and energized to be an integral part of a bank that is evolving quickly
• You have the confidence to pass on the wrong deal because you know the right one is coming and you can lead others to do the same
• You’re a proven commercial lender in, or tied to, the Vermont market and you want a role with real influence and the ability to shape the bank’s direction

POSITION DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT: Commercial Banking

REPORTS TO: Chief Lending Officer & VT Market President

REMOTE WORK: Hybrid

SUMMARY

The Vermont Senior Lender is responsible for the Vermont loan and deposit portfolio. This role will help grow the Vermont lending, credit, and treasury management teams with certain management responsibilities. This role is responsible for driving business for the bank by managing the loan and deposit portfolio in accordance with the bank’s credit philosophy and standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Solicits, negotiates, underwrites, and coordinates the closing of commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, construction, municipal and other business-purpose loans in compliance with the Bank’s lending policies and procedures and applicable laws.
• Develops deposit relationships and promotes business for the Bank by maintaining good customer relations and referring customers to appropriate staff for new services.
• Responsible for the achievement of the Bank’s loan and deposit growth objectives as set for the Vermont market. Develops business development plans and helps to manage staff to meet growth objectives.
• Performs analysis of loan applicant financial condition and risk of financing requests within the framework of the Bank’s credit culture, loan policies, and current economic and industry trends.
• Gathers and analyzes all information necessary to present a financing request for approval; meets with existing or potential customers; visits customer business facilities and construction sites; negotiates loan terms and conditions; and approves loans within established lending limits or refers and recommends acceptance to the appropriate approval authority.
• Coordinates processing of approved loans; ensures loans are processed in a timely manner and according to agreement, customer needs and in conformity with the Bank’s lending policies; obtains sufficient information and/or documentation from customers and third parties to support informed decision-making; solves problems relative to processing and servicing of loans; and approves loan disbursements in accordance with agreements.
• Ensure that credit inquiries, existing liens, and UCC filings are researched to determine the applicant’s credit worthiness and to ensure that appropriate collateral positioning is achieved.
• Ensures that certification or deletion of collateral is made by the appropriate personnel.
• Negotiates, underwrites, and processes renewals of credit facilities, consistent with Bank policies.
• Approves loan payments, draws from lines of credit, and fund transfers within limits specified in the Bank’s loan policies or as otherwise approved by the Loan Committee.
• Verifies application loan funding with contractors and other third parties.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of the commercial lending industry, economy, market conditions, rates, vendors, and competition.
• Represents the Bank in various community, civic, and community reinvestment functions to further enhance the Bank’s image and develop additional business; assists Senior Management in establishing and maintaining market position in the Bank’s service area.
• Provides loan account credit quality ratings and cooperates with third party loan review vendors in their review of loan files and assigned credit quality ratings.
• With the CLO & SCO, update and correspond with legal counsel and collectors on workouts, bankruptcies, and charge-offs to ensure all possible precautionary actions or measures are taken.
• Participates with Senior Management in developing, analyzing, finalizing, and documenting major and complex loan agreements and relationships with large business customers; participates in various internal committees, as assigned by Senior Management.
• Gathers loan-related and deposit-related data and prepares reports for Senior Management, audits, and other personnel.
• Reinforces the application of superior customer service through their own example along with timely and appropriate follow-through with involved customers and employees.
• Manages Vermont Relationship Managers and Portfolio Managers, assists as a resource for their business development efforts.
• Performs other duties, including special projects, as may be assigned by President, CLO, SCO & COO

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The position of Senior Lender may be responsible for the supervision of one or more employee(s) and normally carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Bank's policies and applicable laws, ensuring adherence to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) guidelines.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 15 years or equivalent of commercial lending experience.
• A solid commercial lending performance record in leadership, business development, sales, credit and relationship management
• Solid credit skills and proficiency with C&I, commercial real estate, and construction lending.
• Prior management experience and a track record of community involvement are preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of all compliance related regulatory and internal policies that guide commercial lending activity.
• Solid written/oral communication and decision-making skills are important.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/CONDITIONS REQUIREMENTS

General office environment.

EQUIPMENT USED

General office equipment

WORK SCHEDULE

Full-Time, 40 hours per week

This Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the duties and responsibilities of this position. Management reserves the right to change this job description at any time according to business needs