Vice President, Lending Operations Risk Management

At First Republic, we care about our people. Founded in 1985, we offer extraordinary client service in private banking, private business banking and private wealth management. We believe that personal connections are everything and our success is driven by the relationships we form with our colleagues and clients. You’ll always feel empowered and valued here. 

Incredible teams doing exceptional work, every day

In Lending Services, we document, fund, and service all loans for First Republic. We’re also responsible for servicing investor and collateral loan portfolios, as well as responding to client and loan team inquiries. Lending Services provides operational support in streamlining workflow processes, driving product development, and providing training, lending compliance support, and professional development resources. Additionally, we provide operational risk and internal control oversight, support lending-based systems and vendors, and manage technology projects across First Republic product lines.

As VP, Lending Operations Risk Management, you’ll be a member of the first line of defense and have responsibility for continually monitoring and enhancing the group’s compliance program to ensure it remains effective in managing the risks associated with adhering to all applicable federal and state banking laws and regulations and regulatory guidance. You will have the opportunity to utilize your leadership and management skills as you coach, develop, and otherwise supervise a team of Lending Services operations risk management staff. Utilizing your thorough knowledge of lending operations and identified quality indicators, you will also oversee the coordination and support of all applicable quality reviews, UDAAP monitoring, and remediation plans and initiatives.

What you’ll do as the VP, Lending Operations Risk Management:

• Design and implement a risk-based compliance management system (“CMS”) that includes reliable Quality Assurance and Quality Control processes in collaboration with Corporate Compliance.
• Conduct targeted reviews, UDAAP monitoring, and/or risk assessments of functional areas in order to determine the strategic course of the Lending Services Operations Risk Management program.
• Assist in long-range and strategic planning for the CMS in partnership with Corporate Compliance.
• Review the effectiveness and documentation of existing control processes and enhance where required.
• Direct detailed reviews of internal quality assurance monitoring efforts to verify accuracy and completeness. Develop and implement recommendations for strategic improvements as necessary.
• Make sound decisions regarding all quality assurance procedures and findings and communicate effectively with the Operations Control/QA teams, other relevant departments, and senior management.
• Stay abreast of department operations and developments with an eye toward proactively identifying and mitigating emerging trends that could pose increased compliance risk.
• Provide practical, knowledgeable and effective advice on operations risk matters by responding quickly and practically to questions and concerns. Be able to “think outside the box” and create business-friendly solutions without compromising compliance with regulatory requirements and expectations.
• Follow-up on key regulatory developments and their impact on business activities. Remain current on compliance-related best practices in the financial industry.
• Develop excellent and trusting relationships with the Office of the General Counsel and assist the team in continuing to promote a culture of compliance. Foster open communication within all levels of the organization to develop strategic partnerships and ensure a positive compliance posture is maintained.
• Review any Lending related client complaints, identify root causes, analyze trends, and advise on any management action.
• Assist in ensuring internal audit and testing exceptions are appropriately addressed, root causes identified and procedures developed to prevent repeat findings.
• Manage the development and reporting on operations-related quality metrics.
• Conduct employee development/engagement activities, performance reviews, and other administrative supervisory activities.
• Perform duties and responsibilities specific to department functions and activities or as assigned by senior management.
• Responsibilities include the following: 1)adhering to and complying with all applicable, federal and state laws, regulations and guidance, including those related to Anti-Money Laundering (i.e. Bank Secrecy Act, USA PATRIOT Act, etc.); 2)adhering to Bank policies and procedures; 3) completing required training; 4) identifying and reporting potential suspicious activity to the BSA/AML Officer; and 5) knowing and verifying the identity of any customer(s) that enters into a relationship with the Bank.

You could be a great fit if you have:

• Excellent analytical skills along with written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to create strong, trusting relationships with colleagues across business lines.
• Analytical thinker with problem-solver mentality. Self-starter who can conduct necessary research to design and oversee Regulatory QC testing with minimal oversight.
• Should be a self-starter and organized; able to work independently to solve problems and offer creative solutions. Ability to influence others and drive results.
• Should have strong research skills, advanced skill in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and experience with on-line research systems including the Internet.
• Experience:
  • 10+ years of work experience in banking compliance and risk management.
  • Strong knowledge of key Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, FDIC, FederalReserve Board and other banking regulations as they relate to lending, including but not limited to the Truth in Lending and Equal Credit Opportunity Acts and UDAAP.
  • Minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required. J.D., CRCM certification or regulatory experience is highly desirable.
    

Job Demands:

• Must be able to review and analyze data reports and manuals; must be computer proficient.
• Must be able to communicate effectively via telephone and in person.
• Must be able to travel as position requires.

Own your work and your career — apply now

Are you willing to go the extra mile because you love what you do and how you can contribute as a team? Do you want the freedom to grow and the opportunity to take charge of your own career?  If so, then come join us.

We want hard working team players. You’ll have the independence to learn, lead and drive change. A culture of extraordinary service, empowerment and stability — that’s the First Republic way.

We believe that a diverse range of backgrounds and ideas has and will continue to be fundamental to the future success of First Republic.

If you are curious to learn more about this opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. The Company is an equal opportunity employer. In this regard, the Company makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities in order to enable them to perform all essential job functions, unless doing so creates an undue hardship.

First Republic is subject to federal laws that restrict the employment of individuals with certain types of criminal histories, including FDIA Section 19 and FINRA. To the extent not inconsistent with our obligations under those federal laws and regulations, First Republic will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles and San Francisco ban-the-box laws.

For New York City-based roles: Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that, effective December 27, 2021, all private sector employers?in New York City will be required to ensure that their employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend work in the office. Reasonable Medical or Religious Accommodations may be requested if applicable to you. Please view New York’s Guidance on Accommodations for Workers for more information.