VP, Credit

AgWest Farm Credit is a member-owned financial cooperative that provides financing and related services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners and crop insurance customers in a seven-state territory in the Western United States. AgWest is part of the 100+ year-old Farm Credit System – the leading provider of credit to American agriculture.

AgWest champions the growth and advancement of agriculture, the value of rural communities, and the vital contribution our customers make to the economy and society. We serve customers in 59 locations throughout the West.

We are in search of a VP, Credit to join our Specialized Lending department in Spokane, Washington (Headquarters) or Rocklin, California. This full-time position reports to the SVP, Credit and collaborates with credit leadership to ensure sound credit quality and administration. This role provides leadership for assigned staff and ensures exceptional customer service through constructive credit extension and support services to relationship management teams.

Compensation Information

The base salary range for this position in Spokane, Washington is:

Typical starting range: $99,900 - $138,500
Full base salary range: $99,900 - $193,500
Annual performance-based incentive target is 20% or 25% of base, depending on experience.

The base salary range for this position in Rocklin, California is:

Typical starting range: $114,600 - $159,500
Full base salary range: $114,600 - $222,900
Annual performance-based incentive target is 20% or 25% of base, depending on experience.

*Relocation assistance will be provided to eligible candidates who must relocate to accept this position. 

Essential Duties

• Credit Administration, Underwriting & Approval Authority
  • Accountable for sound credit administration, including prudent loan decisions, data accuracy, assignment and management of delegated authorities, and reporting on regional results.
  • Act upon loans and loan servicing actions within delegated approval authority and make appropriate recommendations on requests exceeding authority. Meet directly with customers when necessary to ensure appropriate credit decisions are made and/or loan servicing occurs.
  • May participate in the large loan committee process to assist in developing sound credit administration of larger credits.
  • Review work to ensure loans are structured appropriately and assigned staff adheres to credit underwriting procedures.
• Collaboration, Governance & Organizational Stewardship
  • Assist other state credit leadership to ensure appropriate collaboration with Internal Audit, FCA and other audit groups assessing the organization's controls and performance.
  • Collaborate with other state credit leadership and business units to ensure timely and constructive service to customers and consistency across the organization.
  • Communicate and model AgWest's commitment to employee and customer engagement; actively work with assigned staff to advance stewardship and community service initiatives.
• Leadership Responsibilities
  • Represent AgWest's purpose and values to employees, customers and our communities.
  • Demonstrate supervisory competencies and meet expectations of a people leader at AgWest.
  • Supervise, coach and develop employees, including but not limited to role functions, workflow management, time tracking and attendance, establishing annual goals, providing regular feedback and performing all required performance actions. 
  • Communicate goals, expectations and updates clearly and consistently; serve as the primary point of contact between staff and leadership.
  • Ensure new employees are effectively trained, and proper onboarding processes are followed; identify learning gaps and coordinate ongoing learning opportunities for staff. 
  • Mentor direct reports, creating development and stretch opportunities as appropriate.
  • Ensure employees understand and comply with all relevant AgWest procedures, policies and processes. 
  • Ensure compliance with employment laws and organizational policies by identifying and mitigating legal and operational risks related to pay, leave, accommodations, workplace safety, discrimination, harassment and other protected rights. 
  • Recognize and respond to potential issues, create documentation and collaborate with leadership and HR to promptly and appropriately address concerns. 

Travel Requirements

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25%, including overnight travel throughout the AgWest territory.
• AgWest employees may occasionally be asked to travel for conferences, training and/or all-staff or team meetings that fall outside the role's standard travel requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or agricultural related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Progressively responsible credit experience; solid understanding of loan pricing programs, models, and tools
• Proven ability to lead by example as an individual contributor or manager while managing multiple workstreams
• Ability to build rapport and earn trust with diverse audiences
• Proven ability to effectively communicate in high stress situations, and tactfully deliver difficult feedback

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven ability to effectively coach and develop others employee coaching and development skills
• Successful track record of effectively leading and managing staff

Workplace Flexibility

• After an initial in-office training period, this position is eligible for workplace flexibility and a one-time home office stipend.
• This position is eligible for coordinated hybrid flexibility
• 100% in office role (delete section)

Benefits Offered by AgWest

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 
• Basic term life and AD&D insurance (fully paid for by the company)
• Paid days off annually: 15 vacation*, 15 sick, 12 holidays and 3 volunteer
• 401(k) plan (6% match plus 3% employer contribution)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Jeans are welcome at work every day at AgWest! 

*Vacation accrual rates increase with tenure.

Details about insurance and retirement benefits are available at:  https://www.farmcreditfoundations.com/fcfbenefits

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