VP, Business Development Officer

Columbia Bank Northeast; Port Reading (NJ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare options

Retirement savings

Employee ownership

Wellness resources

Student loan programs

Paid time off

Financial protection

Job summary

Columbia Bank Northeast is seeking a VP, Business Development Officer to lead commercial deposit growth, build high-value relationships, and coordinate cross-functional teams across branch, treasury, lending, and other Bank partners in New Jersey and surrounding markets.

The role emphasizes strategic, relationship-based growth, prospecting, pipeline management, and mentorship of junior staff, with a hybrid work model and emphasis on community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in commercial banking, business development, relationship management, or a related field is required.
• Demonstrated success developing high-value commercial relationships and generating new business, with the ability to identify and pursue significant deposit opportunities.
• Established network of business contacts and Centers of Influence, with the ability to convert relationships into meaningful business opportunities.
• Strong strategic thinking, communication, negotiation, consultative selling, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently while building effective, ongoing partnerships across deposit, treasury, lending, and other Bank teams.
• Leadership and mentoring skills, with the ability to guide and help develop less experienced business development professionals.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities to grow commercial deposits and expand high-value and priority commercial relationships.
• Drive the regional strategy for commercial deposit growth by developing and expanding priority and high-value relationships with existing and prospective commercial customers through disciplined, strategic business development activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with Centers of Influence (COIs), including attorneys, accountants, and other referral partners, to generate referrals, attract new commercial customers, and grow deposit relationships.
• Engage clients in strategic, consultative conversations to understand their current banking relationships and broader financial needs and recommend appropriate Bank products and services and identify lending opportunities for referral to commercial lending partners.
• Identify opportunities to expand customer relationships through additional products and services, including lending, insurance, Clover merchant services, commercial purchasing cards, Wealth Management, retirement solutions, and other investment services, as appropriate, working closely with commercial lending partners to address customer borrowing needs and relationship opportunities.
• Build and manage a pipeline of new and expanded commercial deposit relationships by identifying client operating, liquidity, cash-management, and treasury, and borrowing needs, and connecting clients with appropriate Bank solutions and specialists, including commercial lending partners when credit opportunities are identified.
• Execute calling and prospecting activities designed to achieve the Bank's and the VP Business Development Officer's deposit and relationship-growth goals.
• Document client, prospect, COI, deposit opportunity, and referral activity to support disciplined follow-up, pipeline management, and reporting to senior management.
• Assist in implementing and coordinating branch and Bank-wide business development call activities and provide visibility into business development progress and opportunities.

Skills

Commercial banking

Business development

Relationship management

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Columbia Bank is a full-service consumer and commercial bank serving individuals, businesses, and communities across New Jersey, Staten Island, and Brooklyn. Through our banking, title, insurance, and wealth management businesses, we provide a broad range of financial solutions tailored to our customers' needs. We are also committed to strengthening the communities we serve through employee volunteerism, community partnerships, and the Columbia Bank Foundation. Why This Role Matters: The VP, Business Development Officer (BDO), is a senior driver of commercial deposit growth, focused on acquiring new high-value and priority commercial relationships and expanding existing relationships across the assigned market. Through proactive business development and strong community, business, and Centers of Influence relationships, the VP identifies opportunities to bring new deposits to the Bank and connect customers with solutions that meet their needs. The VP BDO takes a strategic, relationship-based approach, working with customers to understand their full banking needs and partnering with branch, treasury, lending, and other Bank specialists to recommend solutions and establish comprehensive banking relationships. The VP also helps develop and implement branch calling activities and recommends business development goals for the assigned region, provides visibility into business development activity, and recommends business development goals for the assigned region. The VP is responsible for identifying lending opportunities within customer relationships and partnering closely with commercial lending teams to ensure customers' current and future borrowing needs are evaluated and supported as part of a comprehensive banking relationship. The role helps shape business development strategy while providing guidance and mentorship to less experienced officers.

Areas of Impact

Business Development

• Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities to grow commercial deposits and expand high-value and priority commercial relationships.
• Drive the regional strategy for commercial deposit growth by developing and expanding priority and high-value relationships with existing and prospective commercial customers through disciplined, strategic business development activities
• Build and maintain relationships with Centers of Influence (COIs), including attorneys, accountants, and other referral partners, to generate referrals, attract new commercial customers, and grow deposit relationships.
• Engage clients in strategic, consultative conversations to understand their current banking relationships and broader financial needs and recommend appropriate Bank products and services and identify lending opportunities for referral to commercial lending partners.
• Identify opportunities to expand customer relationships through additional products and services, including lending, insurance, Clover merchant services, commercial purchasing cards, Wealth Management, retirement solutions, and other investment services, as appropriate, working closely with commercial lending partners to address customer borrowing needs and relationship opportunities.
• Build and manage a pipeline of new and expanded commercial deposit relationships by identifying client operating, liquidity, cash-management, and treasury, and borrowing needs, and connecting clients with appropriate Bank solutions and specialists, including commercial lending partners when credit opportunities are identified.
• Execute calling and prospecting activities designed to achieve the Bank's and the VP Business Development Officer's deposit and relationship-growth goals.
• Document client, prospect, COI, deposit opportunity, and referral activity to support disciplined follow-up, pipeline management, and reporting to senior management.
• Assist in implementing and coordinating branch and Bank-wide business development call activities and provide visibility into business development progress and opportunities.

Relationship Management

• Take a leadership role in developing the customer's overall relationship with the Bank, working closely with internal partners to address current needs and identify future opportunities.
• Partner closely with Branch Managers and Treasury Management to onboard new account relationships and ensure coordinated customer experience.
• Maintain consistent, ongoing partnerships with commercial lending teams to identify, refer, and support customers' current and future borrowing needs, ensuring lending opportunities are proactively addressed as part of the overall customer relationship
• Coordinate with lending, treasury, branch, Wealth Management, insurance, merchant services, and other Bank partners to ensure customers have access to the appropriate expertise and solutions across the Bank.
• Serve as a strategic relationship resource for customers, identifying needs and coordinating with the appropriate Bank partners, including commercial lending teams, to deliver effective solutions and follow-through.
• Coordinate meetings between customers or prospects and appropriate Bank representatives to support the customer's broader banking relationship.

Market Research and Product Development

• Compile and analyze customer and market information to identify deposit-gathering opportunities, relationship trends, and unmet client needs, using these insights to inform regional business development strategy and priorities.
• Translate client and market feedback into strategic recommendations for new or enhanced products, services, and business development approaches that support deposit growth and deepen customer relationships.

Regulatory Compliance & Knowledge

• Maintain current knowledge of applicable State and Federal regulations and Bank requirements related to business development, marketing, deposits, and referral activities.

Lead Generation & Follow-Up

• Identify and develop business development leads from customers, Centers of Influence (COIs), internal partners, available relationship information, and other referral sources to support commercial deposit growth, uncover lending opportunities, and develop new customer relationships.
• Consistently follow up on prospective customer opportunities and referrals to convert leads into new business, identify opportunities for additional deposit and lending relationships, and expand existing relationships.

Mentorship & Guidance

• Provide guidance and training to junior officers on effective deposit-focused business development, consultative selling, and relationship-building techniques.
• Accompany junior officers on sales calls, as appropriate, to strengthen business development skills and support consistent client experience.
• Actively foster and model Columbia Bank's culture by promoting collaboration, accountability, and a high-performance, client-centric mindset.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in commercial banking, business development, relationship management, or a related field is required.
• Demonstrated success developing high-value commercial relationships and generating new business, with the ability to identify and pursue significant deposit opportunities.
• Established network of business contacts and Centers of Influence, with the ability to convert relationships into meaningful business opportunities.
• Strong strategic thinking, communication, negotiation, consultative selling, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently while building effective, ongoing partnerships across deposit, treasury, lending, and other Bank teams.
• Leadership and mentoring skills, with the ability to guide and help develop less experienced business development professionals.

What Will Help You Stand Out

• History of community involvement through volunteerism and/or representation with charitable organizations.
• Relationships with local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations.
• Background in both retail and commercial banking environments.

Technology Qualifications

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams.
• Comfortable using multiple systems and digital tools in a fast-paced banking environment.
• Strong computer skills, including virtual collaboration, document management, and reporting tools.
• Exposure to or willingness to learn emerging workplace technologies is highlydesired.

How We Take Care of You

Build a stronger future for yourself, your family and the communities we serve. At Columbia Bank, meaningful work comes together with a collaborative and rewarding culture, opportunities to learn and grow, and a total rewards package designed to support your health, financial security and overall wellbeing. Benefits include healthcare choice, retirement savings with company support, employee ownership, wellness resources, education and student loan programs, paid time off and financial protection. Join a company where your contribution is valued, your growth is supported and your career can make a meaningful impact.

The hours that you will dedicate to work

This position currently follows a hybrid schedule of 3 in-office days and 2 remote days per week. Effective January 4, 2027, the schedule will transition to 4 in-office days and 1 remote day per week. Hybrid work arrangements are subject to business needs and may change.

Columbia Bank and its affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.