Director Commercial Underwriting

If you’re looking for a meaningful career, you’ll find it here at Webster. Founded in 1935, our focus has always been to put people first--doing whatever we can to help individuals, families, businesses and our colleagues achieve their financial goals. As a leading commercial bank, we remain passionate about serving our clients and supporting our communities. Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Agility, Respect, Excellence are Webster’s values, these set us apart as a bank and as an employer.  

Come join our team where you can expand your career potential, benefit from our robust development opportunities, and enjoy meaningful work!

The Director Commercial Underwriting supports a team in Community Development Lending & Investment, and their activities related to underwriting credit risk associated with commercial loans, loan grading, commercial loan portfolio management, and other various risk mitigating related activities. The role is tasked to effectively manage and prudently apply assigned loan grading authority in a manner which appropriately balances client risk characteristics with Bank policies, procedure, established guidelines, goals and objectives. 

Responsibilities:

• Manage underwriting documents, appraisal and environmental reviews, other credit investigations including the conduct of OFAC screening of all new clients during the credit review process.  As the Director Commercial Underwriting, you will provide oversight to the analysts on all due diligence requirements, including HMDA reporting, which are to be performed with the goal of being informative, evaluative and to provide critical support for the credit decision making process.
  • Assist in developing credit analysis methodologies that facilitate a streamlined, efficient and consistent credit process standards bank wide.
  • Perform a variety of activities that facilitate loan activity as a consequence of strong operational coordination and cooperation between the regional commercial lending and the credit teams.  Establish and manage formal and informal methods of communication and sharing of information in order to support all lending activity.
  • Work independently and manage teams of Underwriters supporting commercial business development, retainage and management efforts through the timely production of informative and evaluative credit documents and underwriting materials
  • Assist in various projects and analyses pertaining to credit quality, portfolio management, credit policies and procedures. Working directly with the Commercial Lending Group team and credit leadership, take an active role identifying opportunities to improve the weighted average risk rating of the loan portfolio. 
  • Participate in the Bank’s annual review process of external providers of commercial real estate and environmental appraisals with recommendations for additions and deletions based on service levels and quality measures.
  • Manage critical portfolio management, periodic reporting activities and other departmental responsibilities as assigned including but not limited to: the criticized/classified report, provide support for the annual review of critical vendors (when needed) and counterparties, loan policy exception tracking, the appraisal tickler report for criticized/workout assets, portfolio stress testing and the timely review of appraisals; internally and externally. 
• Effectively manage and prudently apply assigned loan grading authority in a manner that appropriately balances client needs with Bank policies, procedures, and established guidelines.
  • Manage assigned critical portfolio management, periodic reporting activities, including maintaining copies of OFAC screening results and Security/BSA’s responses in the Credit Track File or approved COM for the client along with other departmental tasks. Manage critical vendor relationships with real estate appraisers and environment firms.
  • Provide feedback regarding observed training needs, portfolio and risk management practices and modifications of credit policies and procedures as may be appropriate.
  • Ensure compliance with all regulations, policies, and procedures. 
• Lead the Credit Risk Measurement and Monitoring Frameworks: Models and Systems - Drive system implementation projects in the credit risk space (e.g. Moody’s Credit Lens, Moody’s Risk Calc, CMM, Dual Risk Rating etc.) by coordinating with the Risk team and providing requirements and design inputs and engaging both IT and the user population. Act as liaison to Credit and Credit Risk Management in ensuring that sound credit risk measurement and monitoring frameworks/models are developed and implemented throughout the group in a standardized manner. Participate in Moody s user groups.
  • In conjunction with the Senior Managing Director and Credit/Risk partners you will continuously monitor the credit quality of loan portfolios.  This involves overseeing timely annual reviews, covenant compliance checks and appropriate collateral monitoring.   Ensure that monitoring processes are appropriately identifying deteriorating credits and that controls are in place to take appropriate actions to mitigate risks.  Act as a consultant to the CDLI segment regarding credit issues, processes, and procedures.
  • Regulatory, Loan Review and Audit Liaison - Enhance underwriting procedures and portfolio monitoring by upgrading and standardizing analytical tools such as stress testing, global cash flow and valuations.  Implement credit risk processes, data enhancements, procedures or systems updates needed to address issues raised in regulatory, loan and audit reviews.  Train current and new colleagues.  Analyze trends and development of regulations / guidelines.  Raise pertinent issues for Executive Management and other internal stakeholders.
  • Portfolio Reporting and Analytics - Contribute proactively to both internal and external credit risk measurement and reporting initiatives (e.g. ALLL, CECL, Portfolio Stress Testing, Dual Risk Rating. and Risk Rating Migration, Impaired Loans and Charge Offs).  Contribute to resolution of issues arising from portfolio reporting and analytics.
• - Ensure compliance with all regulations, policies, and procedures.

Educations, skills & experience:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Advanced degree - Associates, Bachelors, Masters, etc. - preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience at financial institutions and/or rating agencies with responsibilities in the areas of underwriting, credit risk data, analytics, and management. 
• Combines project management experience with a solid understanding of credit risk gained through prior experience either at a rating agency or within a credit review role at a bank
• Proven track record of strong leadership and executive relationship building required. 
• Experience serving as lead voice in regulatory relationships.
• Candidates with advanced degrees (Bachelor’s and/or Master’s) preferred. Candidates with some combination of coursework and experience, or else extensive professional related experience, are eligible for consideration. Formal credit training is preferred.
• Thorough understanding of the evolving practices for the management of Credit Risk and related regulatory requirements including CECL, PD and LGD as well as evolving regulatory guidelines in this space. 
• Extensive familiarity with diverse credit portfolios, both asset backed and cash flow lending

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The estimated salary range for this position is $140,000 to $160,000. Actual salary may vary up or down depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position is eligible for incentive compensation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.