AVP, Credit Risk Management

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Assistant Vice President Real Estate, Credit Risk Management

Location | Vancouver, BC. Edmonton, AB. Calgary, AB. Toronto, ON
 

Put a new on your banking career

We’re different from the big banks in we engage our employees - caring, responsive, and armed with an obsession for growing talent. Our reputation is powered by a people first culture that ensures our employees be and feel heard, promotes inclusivity and diverse viewpoints, and inspires collaboration and innovation.

Role Specifications

The Opportunity

The AVP Real Estate, Credit Risk Management will be a seasoned Commercial Real Estate Lender or credit risk professional who will play an important role as a credit leader in CWB and assist the SAVP CRM with management of the credit risk portfolio. The incumbent will be responsible for day-to-day credit risk mitigation (i.e. adjudicate within prescribed policy and risk appetite including the upgrade and downgrade of risk ratings) through assigned lending limits as well as overall Real Estate portfolio management within prescribed geographies / industries / business segments. She/he will ensure the credit risk management function is effectively managed.
 

We are looking for an individual that will be passionate, committed, and forward-thinking leaning professional with credibility with business leaders and branch lenders. A sound communicator, the AVP Real Estate CRM will be capable of developing strong relationships with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.

The primary focus of the AVP RE CRM is to provide direct credit adjudication, leadership, direction / oversight to branches through adjudication across CWB Real Estate lending verticals and geography. The position will carry significant influence over CWBs risk appetite under their area of focus. The AVP RE CRM will monitor and assess the quality of their assigned portfolio on an ongoing basis and ensure action is taken to mitigate elevated current or expected risks. The position will be a key individual to ensure risk appetite and credit policy is correctly interpreted and adhered to and overall portfolio is managed according to the CWB risk appetite statements on a day-to-day basis. The incumbent will carry substantial lending limits and oversee over a group of designated business centre lenders and adjudicators.

Day-to-day activities

Risk Management

Act as one of the key individuals responsible within the Second line of defence framework for prudent underwriting and adjudication through measuring, monitoring and reporting CWB‘s risk exposures. Continuously review policies / standards, protocols and procedures, risk appetites and risk metrics to ensure adjudication is completed in accordance with such policies and standards where industry movements are well understood in the context of CWB’s risk appetite.

Ensure business opportunities are maximized through awareness of CWB’s Strategic direction and within CWB risk appetite.

Ensure loan loss experience is minimized through sound lending practices and implementation of policies and procedures and early identification and action on deteriorating credit situations.

Monitor the designated portfolio through oversight of Out of Order, Impaired Loan and Watch List Reports and providing feedback to SAVP / VP CRM, as warranted and escalate to address area where metrics are of concern.

Participant in Program Synergy (where warranted) as a subject matter expert.

Provide understanding into our Credit Risk Model methodology and output sufficient to provide direction to CWB end users.

Act as a key member of CRM change as CWB becomes a model enabled bank.

Evaluate and process credit applications from Branch/Business lending units and approve/decline applications within delegated lending limits and/or make recommendations to SAVP CRM.

Act as industry (specific to be assigned) level subject matter expert for the organization within designated industries / sectors with adjudication of exposures to ensure disciplined CWB-wide approach where required. Knowledge of industry strengths / weakness as it relates to credit and standard structure considerations within those industries and geographies. 

Present credit applications to the SAVP / VP CRM as required and act as an industry and geographic subject matter expert for CRM as needed.

As required assist in preparation of quarterly reports on the portfolio composition and prepare insightful commentary on the second line’s perspective on credit risk management for inclusion in reporting.

Act as CRM’s geographic specialist in designated sectors or regions as may be delegated from time to time. Participate in preparation and present second-line perspective for periodic “deep dives” on specific credit risk topics to ERC and RC.

Advise and inform SAVP, VP / SVP CRM, on significant loan or portfolio matters as they arise and specific to geography, industry, or business line.

Assist branches through discussions/memoranda in credit related matters and action plans, including dealing with loans in the Watch List categories not managed by SAMU.

Key participant with OSFI during their periodic credit risk management reviews.

Key participant with External Auditors during their quarterly and annual credit risk management review/audit.

Collaborating and Influencing

Collaborates across CWB on key strategic priorities both related to CRM and beyond.

Exemplify CWB’s Values, live our values at work and in the community.

Facilitates discussions and collaborates with each other; promotes collaboration between CRM and all the various business units.

Identifies new processes and/or systems to improve productivity and/or team efficiency.

Adjusts communication style to changing situations and to respond to audience concerns (including culture, background, or style).

Works effectively in cross-functional teams and has demonstrated the ability to collaborate for results.

Builds and maintains key relationships with business partners across CWB with comfort addressing all nature of issue.

Team Leadership and Development

Responsible for maintaining a culture that exemplifies CWB values with affected clients and across all CWB team members, recognizing these relationships and negotiations often occur in the midst of pressure and emotion.

Responsible to provide guidance to business leaders (Branch manager / Lenders) and other branch members on the identification and management of risk, provide guidance on early direction / action to proactively find credit solutions.

Work effectively with CRM leaders and other team members to ensure professionalism, productivity and team achievement.

Participate in attracting and retaining high quality team members to meet the ongoing and future needs of CWB.

Actively demonstrates and lives our values within both CWB and trough wider community involvement.
 

General Management and Administration

Liaise with other teams, as required, ensure CRM’s requirements are met.

Support and assist in the preparation of CWB’s Strategic Direction as requested.

Support with reporting to Board of Directors.

Participate in and actively engage in ad-hoc committees as required.

Make credit decisions guided by common sense and sound business judgement and based on CWB protocols /standards and risk appetite.

Create an environment where CWB’s Credit Risk models are deeply understood and factor into all lending decisions.

Ensure attention to detail in all credit submissions is evident and data input is correct per existing standards.

Treat all stakeholders with professionalism, dignity and respect and support an environment where people can contribute and excel

Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills that contribute to working effectively in a diverse working environment

Promote cooperation and commitment within the CWB Group towards the attainment of common goals enabling productive group interactions

Core knowledge & demonstrated experiences

Education

Undergraduate degree in Commerce, Economics, Finance or Accounting disciplines

MBA, Professional Accounting designation or CFA is an asset

Professional Experience

Minimum seven to ten (7- 10) years working in a professional environment with required experience in Corporate and large mid-market Real Estate lending including direct client facing and underwriting positions.

Personal Competencies

Strong understanding and direct experience in origination / adjudication across all geographies of CWB footprint.

Presentation skills within both large and small groups (internal and external).

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written with the ability to work through complex situations and yield solutions.

Ability to provide effective challenge to the 1st line leaders and other executives while maintaining strong working relationships.

Strong organizational awareness, risk analytical skills, negotiation and skills

Prepared to communicate and act on a foundation of integrity, accountability, respect, common sense and caring.

Strong background in and understanding of the AIRB approach to lending with preferable experience in an AIRB environment.

Ability to build effective relationships with various stakeholders and parties (Internal and External)

The ability to travel across the CWB’s footprint as required.

Why work with us?

Your success is our obsession And our award-winning culture & benefits back it up.

Proudly recognized by Great Place to Work® in 2023 as one of Canada’s top 50 Best Workplaces & recipient of Waterstone Human Capital’s Most Admired Corporate Culture 2023.

. We offer an award-winning benefits package that includes:

Hybrid work environments

Everyday flexibility

Generous company-funded health coverage

Health care spending account

A flexible wellness program

generous time-away options to unplug, rest & recover

We commit to our employees’ development and help them reach their professional goals with:

Organization wide coaching services

Mentorship

Education support & training programs

Inclusion is a journey requiring practice & experience to result in a powerful outcome. Your perspective matters & voice will be heard. Find community within the CWB family in our employee represented groups.

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As an equitable employer, CWB Financial Group is committed to providing a safe and where a diverse workforce thrives. You are welcomed and encouraged to bring your whole self to work. Dignity, respect and equality are non-negotiables. If you require during any part of the recruitment or selection process, please reach out.

Closing Date:

* Position closes at 12:01am on the close date identified below.

06/12/2024

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