What are the responsibilities and job description for the Credit Manager position at Grove Bank & Trust?
SUMMARY: The Credit Manager is responsible for leading credit administration and underwriting efforts to ensure strong credit quality, regulatory compliance, and the efficient execution of loan requests within a $1.3 billion asset commercial bank. A core focus of this role is maintaining high-frequency, structured communication with lending teams to ensure loan underwritings are appropriately prioritized and aligned with the Bank’s strategic objectives, risk appetite, and underwriting capacity. The Credit Manager serves as a key liaison between Credit Administration and Lending, balancing responsiveness to business needs with independent credit judgment, portfolio discipline, and adherence to regulatory expectations. High Communication with Loan Production and High Accessibility are both critical to the success of this position. Performs other related duties as necessary.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESLending Team Coordination & Underwriting Prioritization
Serve as the primary point of contact between Credit Administration and Lending.
Maintain a HIGH frequency of communication with lenders and the CLO regarding underwriting status, priorities, timelines, and documentation requirements.
Works hand-in-hand with the CCO, CLO and the Underwriters on underwriting priorities based on business urgency, relationship importance, risk profile, and capacity.
Participate in weekly CLO lead pipeline discussions. Working with the CCO and CLO in managing underwriting timeline expectations, preventing bottlenecks, and ensuring alignment on deal sequencing.
Facilitate early identification and resolution of credit risks, structural weaknesses, and policy exceptions.
Credit Administration & Risk Oversight
Oversee daily credit administration and underwriting support activities.
Review complex or higher-risk credit requests and provide recommendations to senior management or Credit Committee.
Ensure consistency and quality of financial analysis, risk grading, collateral evaluation, and loan documentation.
Credit Approval Authority – Loans $1.5MM and Less
Serve as the designated credit department approval authority for all loan requests of $1.5 million and less.
Review and approve eligible credit requests in tandem with the originating Loan Officer and independent credit underwriter approvals.
Approve advances on guidance lines, Investment Lines of Credit and other minor advances.
Ensure all approvals comply with Credit Policy, loan authority guidelines, and risk appetite.
Clearly document approval decisions, conditions, and exceptions.
Monthly Reporting to the Board
Oversee the monthly submission of Credit Department Packages to the Board.
Ensure that the director’s NBoard Package is uploaded and ready for their review.
Annual Review Process and Loan Review Remediation
Oversee and ensure timely completion of the annual loan review process.
Review and approve annual reviews for financial analysis, covenant compliance, and risk rating accuracy.
Coordinate and lead regulator- and audit-prescribed remediation activities, including MRAs any needed loan review finding remediations.
Develop and track corrective action plans until resolution.
Support the management of criticized and classified assets.
Ensure accurate risk ratings and credit data integrity supporting CECL/ACL processes.
Regulatory Exam Readiness & Audit Support
Maintain ongoing credit exam readiness.
Prepare materials and serve as a primary contact for regulators, auditors, and loan reviewers.
Address and remediate examination and audit findings related to credit administration.
Leadership & Collaboration
Lead, mentor, and allocate work across credit analysts and underwriters.
Promote collaboration and accountability between Credit and Lending.
Recommend workflow and process improvements to enhance efficiency and controls.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIESManages and supervises employees in the Credit Department. Carries supervisory responsibilities per the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field. 8–12 years of progressive credit or credit administration experience within a commercial bank. Strong commercial credit underwriting and leadership experience.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
Strong credit judgment and regulatory knowledge. Exceptional communication and organizational skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
All candidates for hire will undergo a credit and criminal background check. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.
Grove Bank & Trust is a drug-free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veteran/Disability.