Role Overview for SVP, Commercial Lending with a Regional Bank – Portland, OR
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, growth-oriented regional bank in their search for a dynamic and experienced Senior Vice President (SVP) of Commercial Lending to be based in the vibrant market of Portland, Oregon. Our client is a well-capitalized and respected financial institution known for its deep community roots, client-centric approach, and sophisticated banking solutions. They are seeking a strategic leader to drive the expansion and profitability of their commercial lending division in the Pacific Northwest.
This is a pivotal executive leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Lending Officer. The SVP will be responsible for the strategic direction, growth, and overall performance of the commercial lending team and portfolio in the Portland metropolitan area. The ideal candidate is not just a lender, but a builder—someone who can cultivate a high-performing team, forge lasting relationships with key business clients, and significantly contribute to the bank’s market share and reputation.
You will be empowered to make a tangible impact, shaping the commercial banking landscape in one of the nation’s most dynamic economic regions. This position offers a unique opportunity to combine your deep expertise in commercial credit and business development with your passion for leadership and community engagement, all within a supportive and forward-thinking banking environment.
Key Responsibilities of SVP, Commercial Lending with a Regional Bank – Portland, OR
The SVP of Commercial Lending will assume a wide range of responsibilities, blending strategic oversight with hands-on leadership and market-facing activities. Success in this role requires a multifaceted skill set and a commitment to excellence across all functions of the commercial lending business.
Strategic Leadership and Market Strategy
Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive commercial lending strategy for the Portland market. This includes conducting in-depth market analysis to identify emerging trends, competitive threats, and new growth opportunities. You will set ambitious yet achievable goals for loan production, portfolio growth, and profitability, ensuring alignment with the bank’s overall strategic objectives. You will also be a key voice in the bank’s senior leadership team, contributing to broader organizational strategy and policy-making.
Business Development and Client Acquisition
Act as the bank’s lead rainmaker in the Portland business community. You will personally source, cultivate, and close significant new commercial and industrial (C&I) and commercial real estate (CRE) lending relationships. This involves building and maintaining a robust network of influence with business owners, executives, CPAs, attorneys, and other centers of influence. You will lead by example, demonstrating a proactive and disciplined approach to prospecting, client calling, and deal structuring that your team can emulate.
Team Leadership and Talent Development
Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of commercial relationship managers, portfolio managers, and support staff. You will be responsible for fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on client success and prudent risk management. Your leadership duties will include setting clear performance expectations, providing regular coaching and feedback, managing talent acquisition and retention, and facilitating ongoing professional development and training for your team members to ensure they have the skills to succeed.
Credit Underwriting and Risk Management
Uphold the bank’s strong credit culture by ensuring all lending activities are conducted with the highest standards of underwriting and risk assessment. You will provide senior-level oversight on complex credit requests, guiding your team in structuring deals that meet client needs while mitigating risk. A crucial part of this role is to ensure strict adherence to the bank’s credit policies and all applicable federal and state regulatory guidelines. You will serve as a key member of the bank’s loan committee, presenting and opining on large credit facilities.
Portfolio Management and Profitability
Take ultimate ownership of the health, quality, and profitability of the Portland commercial loan portfolio. This includes overseeing ongoing portfolio monitoring, managing loan covenants, conducting regular portfolio reviews, and proactively identifying and addressing potential problem credits. You will be responsible for managing the P&L of the commercial lending unit, focusing on key metrics such as net interest margin, fee income, efficiency ratios, and return on assets.
Client Relationship Management and Cross-Selling
Champion a holistic approach to client relationships. You will ensure that your team is not only meeting clients’ credit needs but is also actively identifying opportunities to deepen relationships by cross-selling other bank products and services, such as treasury management, private banking, and wealth management. You will act as the senior executive contact for the bank’s most important commercial clients, ensuring their satisfaction and long-term loyalty.
Requirements for the SVP, Commercial Lending with a Regional Bank – Portland, OR
The successful candidate will be a seasoned and respected commercial banking leader with a proven track record of success in the Portland market. We are seeking a professional with a strong credit foundation, exceptional business development skills, and inspirational leadership qualities.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is highly preferred.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 12-15 years of progressive experience in commercial lending is required. This must include at least 5-7 years in a significant leadership role, managing a team of commercial lenders and overseeing a substantial loan portfolio.
Market Knowledge
Deep, demonstrable knowledge of the Portland and Pacific Northwest business and economic environment is essential. The ideal candidate will have an established, portable network of local business contacts and centers of influence.
Credit Acumen
Expert-level credit analysis and underwriting skills are non-negotiable. Must have extensive experience structuring, underwriting, and approving complex C&I and CRE loans. Formal credit training from a reputable institution is strongly preferred.
Proven Production Record
A verifiable track record of personally generating significant commercial loan production and building a profitable loan portfolio. You must be able to speak to your successes in sourcing and closing deals in a competitive market.
Leadership and Management Skills
Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and motivate a sales and service team. Experience in recruiting, coaching, and developing talent is critical. Must possess the executive presence and communication skills to effectively interact with clients, employees, and the board of directors.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Superior verbal, written, and presentation skills. Must be a skilled negotiator and a persuasive communicator, capable of building rapport and trust with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier executive talent. They believe in rewarding performance and investing in the well-being of their employees.
Competitive Compensation
A lucrative base salary commensurate with experience, combined with a significant annual performance-based incentive bonus plan.
Long-Term Incentives
Meaningful participation in an equity or long-term incentive plan that aligns your success with the bank’s growth.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
A robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance with low employee premiums, as well as Health Savings Account (HSA) options.
Retirement Planning
A 401(k) retirement savings plan featuring a generous company match to help you build your financial future.
Work-Life Balance
A generous allocation of Paid Time Off (PTO), paid company holidays, and flexible work arrangements to support a healthy work-life integration.
Executive Perks
Benefits tailored for a senior leader, which may include a monthly car allowance, club memberships, and other perquisites.
Professional Growth
A strong commitment to your career development, including an annual budget for professional development, continuing education, and tuition reimbursement.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is exclusively managing the search for this exceptional leadership opportunity. If you are a results-driven commercial banking leader with the skills, experience, and passion to drive growth in the Portland market, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and accomplishments.
To learn more about how we connect top talent with leading companies in the financial sector, we invite you to visit our banking and financial services executive search practice area page. We look forward to reviewing your application and discussing this exciting role in more detail.
