Division Credit Officer

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business... The SVP Division Credit Officer is responsible for the administration of credit policy within a Division of the Bank, consisting of one or more regions of assigned community banks and/or other commercial lending units. The position includes management and oversight of one or more SVP Senior Credit Officers and has responsibility for the efficient day to day operation of the commercial underwriting and credit approval process for the community banks and other commercial lending units within the Division. The position ensures that the flow of commercial loan applications is received, evaluated and brought to final decision in a timely and prudent manner. The position is also responsible for making recommendations to the Chief Credit Officer regarding individual lending authorities of lenders and lending managers within the assigned lending units, as well as for potential amendments or modifications to Credit Policy. Essential Duties And Responsibilities • Participates in early reviews with lenders from assigned community banks and other lending units of potential credit opportunities requiring approval of higher credit authority than a Senior Credit Officer. Provides advice and counsel to lenders, community bank management teams, their Regional Chairman and/or the Division President on such credit opportunities in regard to their creditworthiness and potential structure, terms, and conditions, including whether or not an opportunity has sufficient merit to warrant further development efforts. • Reviews and analyzes credit writeups (including credit memoranda, financial analyses and supporting documents) for proposed loans from his or her assigned community bank markets or other assigned lending units requiring approval by the Division Credit Officer or a higher level of authority. Provides feedback to lenders and credit analysts regarding content of credit writeups, including recommendations for modifications or additions required to support a prudent credit decision. • Grants final approval of proposed loans within own authority set forth in Credit Policy. Grants approval for proposed loans requiring final approval by a higher level of authority for submission to the appropriate authority (i.e., to the Division President, for approval under their joint authority; to the Chief Credit Officer; or to a loan committee), with recommendations for appropriate action. Declines to approve proposed loans which he or she concludes to fail to represent an appropriate credit opportunity for the bank. • Manages asset quality in the Division’s community bank markets and lending units. Monitors loans past due on payments and matured or maturing loans and takes appropriate action through communication with Senior Credit Officers and the Division President to ensure that monthly 30-day past due ratio is minimized. Monitors risk ratings for accuracy and ensures that risk rating changes are initiated and approved by Senior Credit Officers as appropriate. • Monitors credit, collateral, and policy exceptions and ensures that exceptions are approved by Senior Credit Officers as prescribed by Credit Policy. Ensures that Senior Credit Officers are appropriately managing the reporting of criticized and classified assets in the Division to Special Assets Committee and that appropriate action is being taken to address criticized and classified assets to minimize problem asset ratios and protect the bank from potential loss. • Recommends amendments or modifications to Credit Policy to address issues which he or she believes to be important to the Bank’s effort to maintain the optimal balance between loan production and prudent credit decision-making. • Participates upon request with or at the request of the Division President in developing new business opportunities from existing customers and prospects which are likely to require higher levels of credit approval • Assists the Division President in maintaining good relationships with customers, provides assistance in managing difficult situations which lenders, customers and/or clients may encounter, and provides solutions, information or additional options. • Maintains a high level of regulatory and compliance knowledge. • Participates as a member of various credit committees within the bank. • Ensures all departmental documents and activities are performed in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures as applicable to this position, including completion of required compliance training. • Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned. 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. • Skills • Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resource modeling, leadership techniques, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services, including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. • Ability to read, analyze and interpret documents such as financial reports, legal documents, procedures manuals, general business correspondence and/or journals or government regulations. • Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations, to customers, clients, management, board of directors, other employees in the organization, and the general public. • Ability to monitor/assess performance of self, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. • Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and issues. • Education and/or Experience • BS/BA Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Agriculture or a related field, and • A minimum of ten (10) years of previous commercial, consumer and/or agricultural lending experience and/or experience in commercial credit underwriting, approval, loan review, or with a bank regulatory agency conducting asset quality (safety and soundness) examinations, including at least two years in a supervisory capacity. • Computer Skills • MS Office programs • Certificates, Licenses, Registrations • None • Other Qualifications (including physical requirements) • Ability to manage and coach other employees in the achievement of organizational goals and objectives. • Strong time management, oral, written and presentation skills. • Strong time and production management skills. • Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to set priorities. Other Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Activities, duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. Skills Training • Communication, Sales, Presentation Skills, Problem Solving • Leadership, Management, Time Management, Critical Thinking Equal Employment Opportunity Information: Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries are committed to a policy of equal employment with respect to a person's race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, covered veterans, military status, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected classifications. Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries are committed to Affirmative Action Programs consisting of results-oriented procedures to ensure equal employment opportunities. These programs require positive action in lieu of neutral non-discrimination and merit hiring/performance policies