Role Overview for SVP, Head of Corporate Banking with a National Bank – St. Louis, MO
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, top-tier national bank in their confidential search for a transformative and strategic leader to serve as the Senior Vice President (SVP), Head of Corporate Banking for the St. Louis market. This is a rare and exceptional executive opportunity to take ownership of a significant and growing portfolio, drive market strategy, and lead a talented team of banking professionals. The successful candidate will be a cornerstone of the bank’s senior leadership team in the Midwest, responsible for the overall direction, profitability, and growth of the corporate banking division in this vital economic hub.
This role is designed for a visionary banking executive with a proven track record of building and scaling a corporate banking business. You will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to expand the bank’s market share among middle-market and large corporate clients across a diverse range of industries. As the face of the bank in the St. Louis corporate community, you will leverage your extensive network and deep market knowledge to forge new relationships, deepen existing ones, and solidify the bank’s reputation as the premier financial partner for businesses in the region. This position demands a unique blend of strategic acumen, sophisticated credit and underwriting expertise, exceptional leadership capabilities, and a relentless drive for business development. You will have full P&L responsibility and the autonomy to shape the future of the division, supported by the robust resources and product platform of a leading national financial institution.
The ideal candidate is not just a manager but a builder—someone who can inspire a team, cultivate a culture of high performance and client-centricity, and navigate the complexities of a dynamic financial landscape. You will be instrumental in setting the tone and vision for the entire St. Louis corporate banking operation, ensuring alignment with the bank’s broader strategic objectives while tailoring approaches to the unique needs of the local market. This is more than a job; it is a career-defining role to make a lasting impact on a major financial institution and the business community it serves.
Key Responsibilities of SVP, Head of Corporate Banking with a National Bank – St. Louis, MO
The SVP, Head of Corporate Banking will have a broad range of responsibilities, encompassing strategic planning, team leadership, business development, and rigorous risk management. Success in this role will be measured by the growth of the loan and deposit portfolio, overall profitability, credit quality, and team development.
Strategic Leadership & Vision
Develop, articulate, and execute a multi-year strategic plan for the corporate banking division in St. Louis. Identify key industry verticals and market segments for targeted growth. Analyze market trends, competitive landscapes, and economic data to inform strategic decision-making and maintain a competitive edge. Collaborate with executive leadership and other line-of-business heads (e.g., Treasury Management, Capital Markets, Wealth Management) to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to client service.
Business Development & Revenue Growth
Actively lead from the front in sourcing, developing, and closing new, complex corporate banking relationships with companies typically in the $100M to $2B+ revenue range. Build and maintain a robust and active pipeline of prospective clients. Personally manage a portfolio of key client relationships, acting as a trusted senior advisor. Represent the bank at a senior level in the community and at industry events, enhancing its brand visibility and reputation. Drive the cross-selling of the bank’s full suite of products and services to maximize wallet share and deepen client relationships.
Team Leadership & Development
Provide strong, inspirational leadership to a team of Relationship Managers, Portfolio Managers, Credit Analysts, and support staff. Foster a dynamic, collaborative, and results-oriented culture grounded in accountability and integrity. Recruit, train, and retain top-tier talent. Establish clear performance expectations, KPIs, and provide regular coaching, feedback, and formal performance reviews. Champion professional development and create clear career progression paths for team members.
Credit Risk Management & Compliance
Hold ultimate responsibility for the overall quality, profitability, and creditworthiness of the St. Louis corporate loan portfolio. Oversee and provide senior approval for the underwriting and structuring of large, complex credit facilities. Ensure rigorous adherence to the bank’s credit policies, procedures, and risk appetite framework. Maintain a deep understanding of and ensure strict compliance with all relevant federal and state banking regulations. Proactively identify and mitigate potential risks within the portfolio.
Financial Management & P&L Ownership
Assume full P&L responsibility for the St. Louis corporate banking division. Develop and manage the annual budget, forecasts, and financial plans. Monitor and analyze key performance indicators, including loan and deposit growth, net interest margin, fee income, operating expenses, and return on equity. Drive initiatives to enhance profitability and operational efficiency while maintaining a strong risk management posture.
Requirements for the SVP, Head of Corporate Banking with a National Bank – St. Louis, MO
We are seeking a highly accomplished and respected banking leader with the experience and drive to lead this critical division. The qualifications below represent the ideal background for this executive role.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related business field is required. An advanced degree, such as an MBA, or professional certification like the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) is strongly preferred.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 15-20 years of progressive experience in corporate banking, commercial lending, or a closely related field. At least 7-10 years of this experience must be in a senior leadership role, with direct responsibility for managing a team of lenders and a significant P&L.
Credit Acumen
Formal credit training and a career history demonstrating expert-level knowledge of commercial credit analysis, complex loan structuring, and sophisticated underwriting for a variety of industries. Proven ability to assess and mitigate risk in a large and diverse loan portfolio.
Leadership & Management Skills
Demonstrated experience building, leading, and mentoring high-performing sales and relationship management teams. Must possess exceptional leadership qualities, including the ability to inspire, motivate, and hold teams accountable to ambitious goals.
Business Development Prowess
A verifiable track record of personal success in generating significant new business and building a strong market presence. Must be a skilled networker and relationship builder with a hunter mentality.
Market Knowledge
A deep and established network of contacts within the St. Louis business and financial community (CEOs, CFOs, COIs) is highly desirable. Intimate knowledge of the local economy, key industries, and competitive landscape is a significant asset.
Communication Skills
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the polish and executive presence to interact effectively with C-suite executives, board members, and community leaders.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top executive talent by offering a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package. This includes:
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary commensurate with experience and market standards.
Incentive Programs
A significant annual bonus potential based on individual and divisional performance, as well as a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) with equity components.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents. Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
Retirement Planning
A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company match and potential profit-sharing contributions.
Work-Life Balance
A generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick leave, and company-paid holidays.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for continued education, executive coaching, industry conferences, and professional certifications.
Relocation
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the right candidate if they are not currently based in the St. Louis area.
Additional Perks
Executive financial planning services, life and disability insurance, and various other corporate benefits.
How to Apply
This is a confidential search being conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. If you are a qualified and interested candidate who meets the above criteria, we encourage you to apply. To express your interest, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and leadership experience. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the strictest confidence.
JRG Partners is a leader in executive recruitment for the banking and financial services sectors. We are dedicated to connecting exceptional talent with premier institutions. To learn more about our specialized expertise in this area, please visit our practice page. Learn more about our expertise in the Financial Services executive search space and discover how we build winning teams.
