Commercial Strategy & Workflow Analyst

At OceanFirst Bank, each one of our employees plays an important role in delivering value to our customers and executing daily tasks in accordance with our core values. We recognize that our employees are essential to our success, making OceanFirst a great place to work and do business.

Great benefits include: employee perks & discount programs, tuition assistance, incentive compensation program, professional development opportunities, and more! Apply today to #BecomeOceanFirst and make an impact in the local community!

ABOUT YOUR ROLE:

The Commercial Lending Strategy & Workflow Analyst serves as a strategic business partner responsible for evaluating, redesigning, and optimizing commercial lending processes, operating models, and supporting technologies across the Bank. This role provides leadership for enterprise-wide initiatives focused on workflow transformation, automation, scalability, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance throughout the commercial credit lifecycle.

The position works closely with executive leadership, Commercial Banking, Credit Administration, Loan Operations, Technology, Compliance, Accounting, Risk Management, and Strategic Integration teams to design and implement future-state commercial lending processes that improve operational efficiency, strengthen controls, enhance the client experience, and support portfolio growth objectives.

This role is responsible for leading complex process redesign initiatives, developing target operating models, evaluating technology solutions, documenting business requirements, and driving strategic projects related to commercial lending transformation, mergers and acquisitions, workflow modernization, and operational excellence.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Lead the assessment, redesign, standardization, and optimization of end-to-end commercial lending workflows across origination, underwriting, approval, documentation, closing, booking, servicing setup, collateral administration, covenant monitoring, annual reviews, renewals, modifications, and portfolio management.

2. Develop future-state operating models, workflow frameworks, procedures, controls, and service delivery strategies that improve scalability, efficiency, data quality, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness.

3. Analyze commercial lending processes and operational performance metrics to identify workflow bottlenecks, control gaps, automation opportunities, and process improvement initiatives.

4. Partner with business and technology teams to design and implement automated workflows, AI-enabled solutions, and digital capabilities that reduce manual effort, improve turnaround times, and enhance the employee and customer experience.

5. Establish process governance standards, performance measurements, and operating metrics to monitor effectiveness, drive accountability, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

6. Track project milestones, dependencies, risks, issues, and decisions; escalate barriers and recommend resolution strategies to support timely execution.

7. Prepare dashboards, monthly reports, and management updates summarizing project progress, completed activities, upcoming initiatives, risks, and key deliverables.

8. Assist with testing, implementation, training, and communication activities related to new systems, workflow changes, automation tools, or process enhancements.

9. Lead change management efforts, including communication planning, training coordination, implementation readiness, testing support, and post-implementation performance reviews.

10. Measure project and process improvement outcomes, report findings, and recommend additional enhancements to support continuous improvement and operational effectiveness.

11. Support risk and governance activities by identifying process vulnerabilities, evaluating controls, documenting requirements, and recommending enhancements that strengthen regulatory compliance and operational resiliency.

12. Support risk and governance activities by documenting controls, identifying process gaps, monitoring compliance considerations, and maintaining clear project records.

13. Support mergers, acquisitions, and integration-related projects by coordinating planning activities, tracking transition tasks, documenting risks, and supporting the integration of loan operations processes.

WHAT WE EXPECT OF YOU:

• Deep understanding of commercial lending operations, loan servicing processes, and commercial credit lifecycle management.
• Strong expertise in process mapping, workflow analysis, process redesign, operating model development, and business transformation methodologies.
• Ability to identify operational inefficiencies, analyze root causes, and implement scalable process improvement solutions.
• Strong project management capabilities, including governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and execution oversight.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, accountability, confidentiality, and well-organized project records.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, dashboards, meeting materials, procedure documentation, and management updates.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners, including Commercial Credit, Operations, Information Technology, Accounting, Compliance, Strategic Integration, and other business areas.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn and use project management, workflow, reporting, and loan management tools.
• Adaptability, sound judgment, and a continuous improvement in mindset in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.