Head of Credit Risk Management

Sunwest Bank

Irvine, California
3 days ago

Highlights

This role plays a critical part in maintaining the quality of the loan portfolio, identifying emerging risk, and collaborating closely with the Line of Business, Credit Adjudicators and Executive Management to support sound credit decisions and portfolio growth. Compliance with Bank Secrecy Act laws and regulations is considered an extremely serious matter, and it is intended that Sunwest Bank, through the purposeful efforts of its employees and officers, are expected to make every resolute attempt to conform to its Bank Secrecy Act Program and Procedures.

Numbers & Facts

Location	Irvine, California
Industry	Banking
Company Size	50 to 99 employees
Year Founded	1970
Website	https://www.sunwestbank.com/

Description

Job Title: SVP, Head of Credit Risk Management

Department: Credit Administration - 68
Reports to: Chief Credit Officer

Status: Exempt Non-Exempt

About the Role

The Head of Credit Risk Management is responsible for the oversight, governance, and ongoing administration of the Bank’s credit function. Reporting to the Chief Credit Officer, this highly visible senior leadership role is responsible for ensuring the strength, governance, and performance of the loan portfolio. This role plays a critical part in maintaining the quality of the loan portfolio, identifying emerging risk, and collaborating closely with the Line of Business, Credit Adjudicators and Executive Management to support sound credit decisions and portfolio growth.

Work Details

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Work Location: Onsite
Travel: Occasional (up to 10%)

What You’ll Do

Partner with CCO and executive leadership to align credit strategy with broader financial, growth, and capital allocation priorities
Oversee the Bank’s credit risk management function including lending policies, procedures, processes, and governance to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, business initiatives, and prudent banking practices
Enhance efficiency and scalability through improved workflows, communication, and supporting technology tools and infrastructure.
Develop and recommend strategies to improve credit underwriting and portfolio monitoring processes to support increased deal volume and organizational growth.
Partner with Portfolio Managers and Underwriters to provide ongoing oversight of the Bank’s loan portfolio, including monitoring credit quality, concentrations, and emerging risks. Monitor portfolio performance through quarterly reviews, covenant tracking, and ensure risk rating accuracy.
Identify emerging credit risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
Interacts regularly with credit adjudication executives, special assets, loan operations, finance, portfolio management, internal audit, external loan review providers, and regulatory agencies. Partners with the Head of Special Assets to monitor problem loan reporting and impairment analysis. Partners with Finance to validate quarterly CECL model output.
Assist CCO as a key point of contact to manage loan audit process and regulatory safety and soundness exams. Ensure the Bank maintains strong regulatory standing and a disciplined risk governance posture. Serve as a liaison to the Regulators and external third-party audit partners on credit-related matters.
Provide supervisory leadership and management of assigned credit administration staff.
Supports the Chief Credit Officer in board reporting, portfolio analysis, and loan policy maintenance, and presenting portfolio performance, risk trends, and strategic insights with clarity and credibility.

What We’re Looking For

(Required)

A minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience in credit administration leadership. Prior experience in regulatory compliance with a deep understanding of credit governance, regulatory expectations, and risk management frameworks.
Proven track record of operating at a leadership level within a complex or growth-oriented institution, including scaling credit processes and infrastructure. Track record of improving credit process consistency and operational efficiency
Demonstrated ability to define and implement credit strategy, including risk appetite frameworks and policy development. Strong knowledge of commercial underwriting, credit structuring, and risk assessment. Experience in credit risk grading methodology and PD/LGD assessment.
Engages at both the strategic and tactical levels, with a willingness to operate hands-on in the details when needed.
Leads effectively through change, ambiguity, and increasing organizational complexity.
Excellent communication skills with ability to clearly articulate complex matters into practical, actionable guidance. Demonstrates credibility and composure in regulatory and executive settings

(Nice to Have)

Problem loan remediation background, loan review, or loan note or pool purchase & sale experience desirable

Why You’ll Love Working Here

Team Culture

Growth Opportunities

Benefits or Perks

Posting Location(s):

Position May be located in Utah, Denver, Phoenix or Irvine Sunwest Bank Office

Physical Demands:

In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

Sedentary: Limited activity, no lifting, limited walking

Moderate: Mostly standing, walking, bending, frequent lifting

Light: Office work, some lifting, bending, stooping or kneeling, walking

Arduous: Heavy lifting, bending, crawling, climbing

The Fine Print

This job description reflects the general nature of the role and may change as business needs evolve. We are an equal opportunity employer. Sunwest Bank works with staff members and customers without regard to race, ancestry, national origin, sex, marital status, age, religion, medical condition, handicap, disability or veteran status and to assist the Bank in maintaining its Affirmative Action Program.

Compliance with Bank Secrecy Act laws and regulations is considered an extremely serious matter, and it is intended that Sunwest Bank, through the purposeful efforts of its employees and officers, are expected to make every resolute attempt to conform to its Bank Secrecy Act Program and Procedures. Failure to comply will be reflected in their performance review as well as in any bonus compensation programs in which they may participate.

Attend and complete all required classroom, computer-based, web-based and seminar training. It is the individual responsibility of every employee to maintain a current awareness and understanding of and to fully comply with Sunwest Bank’s “Code of Ethics and Conduct.” Each employee is also expected to maintain an awareness of the laws, regulations, internal policies and procedures that are appropriate for his/her position.

Note: The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level and work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. All job descriptions can be amended without notice as warranted by business necessity.

Federal Deposit Insurance Act This position is subject to Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. As such, an employment offer for this position is contingent on Sunwest Bank’s review of criminal conviction history, including pretrial diversions or program entries.

About Company

Sunwest Bank has been consistently named one of the top performing banks in the United States by American Banker and SNL Financial. Sunwest’s primary focus is commercial business and real estate banking. Through 12 targeted locations across the Western United States, Sunwest offers a full suite of private and commercial banking services to its clients.

Since 2009, Sunwest has completed five failed bank acquisitions beginning with the acquisitions of MetroPacific Bank of Irvine. Later that year, Sunwest expanded the franchise south to San Diego with the acquisition of Pacific Coast National Bank. Its expansion continued beyond the California border with the acquisition of First State Bank of Flagstaff from the FDIC, adding a presence in Northern Arizona. In 2013, the Bank expanded into the Northwest by acquiring the Washington-based Westside Community Bank which added two locations outside of Tacoma. Sunwest then broadened its Northwest presence to Boise through acquiring the failed Syringa Bank from the FDIC, adding nearly $140 million in assets and a network of five Idaho branches. In the latter half of last year, the Bank broadened its footprint further by adding LPOs in both the Salt Lake City and Phoenix, Arizona markets. These three out-of-state acquisitions and two de novo LPOs have positioned Sunwest well as it embarks on its next expansionary phase.

Sunwest Bank operates with an iron clad balance sheet of $885 million in assets, $111 million in tangible capital and $4MM in reserves, making it well poised to continue its growth.

Sunwest Bank is the flagship of H Bancorp, a $1.3 billion privately-owned bank holding company with a controlling interest in Bay Bank located in the Baltimore/D.C. corridor. H Bancorp provides strategic leadership, access to capital and an opportunity to participate credits across the entire H Bancorp family.

SUNWEST BANK – AN ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS BANK
Sunwest prides itself on being an entrepreneurial and innovative commercial business bank. The Bank positions itself through deep knowledge in lending niches ensuring our people are regarded as trusted advisors and not simply bankers. It is with this approach that we provide impeccable service to our clients.