Chief Lending Officer at VERITY CREDIT UNION

Verity is hiring a Chief Lending Officer at our Seattle, WA Headquarters location. This is a hybrid position; or has the opportunity to be worked remotely. At Verity, we empower our member’s financial lives and create vibrant communities. Since 1933, Verity has been a local member-owned credit union. We are also the only financial institution in the Pacific Northwest that is a part of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV).

How you can make a difference

The Chief Lending Officer (CLO) is responsible for setting the strategic direction of Verity Credit Union's consumer, real estate, business lending/services, and collections functions. Working closely with the executive team and board, this role helps shape the credit union's overall strategic vision and ensures an innovative culture that delivers value through lending products and services that meet the community's needs. This position also emphasizes developing a diverse loan portfolio, including affordable housing, small business, and community development, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Establish high-level lending strategies in alignment with Verity’s vision, guiding the development and expansion of consumer, real estate, and business lending portfolios with an emphasis on affordable housing, small business support, and sustainable community growth.
• Operate as a key member of the Executive Management Team, guiding long-term strategy and contributing to decisions that advance Verity’s mission.
• Actively participate in executive meetings, providing insights into lending operations, opportunities, and risks.
• Collaborate with the CFO on rate and fee recommendations through the ALCO committee to ensure competitive, profitable, and member-friendly offerings.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Formulate and oversee strategies to manage loan portfolio risk, ensuring a balanced approach to growth and risk mitigation.
• Drive quality in underwriting processes through strong credit policies.
• Maintain full compliance with all state and federal regulations related to lending and collections.

Product Development and Innovation

• Drive product innovation with a focus on member needs and community impact.
• Champion technology adoption within lending processes to enhance efficiency, improve member experience, and increase loan origination capabilities.
• Leverage data analytics to better understand member needs and inform product offerings.

Community Engagement and Impact

• Develop and implement lending products and services that reflect Verity’s commitment to community impact and member success.
• Engage with the community to ensure that products meet evolving needs and build partnerships that support community growth.
• Serve as the primary liaison for lending-related CUSOs, including chairing Verity’s mortgage CUSO board.
• Lead initiatives that positively impact local communities, embodying Verity’s values of integrity, inclusivity, and social responsibility.

Collaboration and Relationship Management

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships across departments to foster a cohesive member experience and streamline processes.
• Work closely with marketing, member services, and compliance teams to ensure alignment of lending services with Verity’s brand and values.

Policy Management and Continuous Development

• Maintain comprehensive board and management policies related to lending, ensuring policies support strategic objectives.
• Conduct regular meetings with staff to communicate policy changes, discuss performance goals, and encourage continuous development.

Industry and Market Insight

• Monitor industry trends, market conditions, and consumer behaviors to provide actionable insights and shape Verity’s lending strategy.
• Attend industry conferences and stay up-to-date on best practices to position Verity as a forward-thinking credit union.

Leadership and Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the lending team to execute strategic priorities effectively and inspire high performance.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and member-centric culture across the lending area.
• Complete job-related projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field required; advanced degree (MBA or Master’s in Finance, Marketing, or Communications) preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years in lending, with at least 7 years in progressive lending management within a credit union or community bank, including 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record of managing consumer, real estate, and business lending portfolios, with a focus on affordable housing, small business, and community development.
• Strong background in loan origination, underwriting, processing, and servicing functions.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Strategic Leadership and Vision: Sets and confidently communicates a clear strategic direction for Verity’s lending services, guiding the growth of diverse lending portfolios.
• Communication and Change Management: Skilled at leading change and building consensus across diverse teams to foster collaboration and alignment.
• Risk and Compliance Management: Proactively develops and implements effective strategies to manage loan portfolio risk.
• Innovation: Innovatively drives product development that addresses member needs and enhances community impact.
• Community Impact: Actively engages with the community to create lending solutions that reflect Verity’s commitment to social responsibility.
• Relationship Management: Effectively fosters collaborative relationships across departments to ensure a seamless member experience.
• Policy Management and Continuous Development: Diligently maintains and updates comprehensive lending policies that support strategic objectives.
• Market and Industry Insight: Informed about industry trends, market conditions, and consumer behaviors to provide actionable insights.
• Leadership and Talent Development: Enthusiastically leads, mentors, and develops the lending team to inspire high performance.
• Financial Acumen: Demonstrates a strong understanding of financial principles, including asset-liability management, interest rate risk, and portfolio analytics.
• Ethics and Integrity: Embodies strong commitment to ethical standards, transparency, and Verity’s mission of service.
• Technology Proficiency: Effectively drives technological advancements in lending processes.

PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Verity is committed to reasonably accommodating the physical aspects of the position. The following are normally encountered in this job:

• Long periods sitting at a desk, working on a computer, and attending meetings.
• Occasional travel for conferences, community events, and branch visits.
• Frequent presentations and community involvement, requiring clear articulation and sometimes standing for extended periods.
• Strong verbal skills and active listening required for meetings and presentations.
• Good vision and hearing needed for reading documents, data, and clear communication.
• Ability to stay focused and manage high-stress situations and competing priorities.