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Sunward · 3 months ago

Vice President, Consumer Lending

Albuquerque, NM

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$165K/yr - $220K/yr

12+ years exp

Sunward is a financial services company specializing in consumer lending. The Vice President of Consumer Lending oversees strategy and operations, ensuring compliance and driving profitable loan growth while enhancing member experience.

BankingFinancial ServicesNon Profit

Comp. & Benefits

Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end strategy, execution, and optimization of consumer lending, ensuring alignment with the credit union’s business goals, risk appetite, and regulatory requirements

Design and implement lending strategies that drive profitable loan growth, enhance member experience, and support operational efficiency

Liaise with HR and Organizational Development to recruit, onboard, and retain high-performing talent, ensuring workforce planning supports department goals

Oversee daily operations of the consumer lending department including retail branch employees responsible for loan services

Provide timely, constructive, and frequent performance evaluations and feedback; recognize and reward high performance

Coach, mentor, and motivate staff to foster a high-performance, member-centric culture

Create a positive, productive, and values-aligned work environment focused on continuous development, team engagement, and succession planning

Develop leaders to advance into next-level roles, preparing them for inclusion in the credit union’s succession plan

Analyze financial and operational performance to ensure transparency, improve outcomes, and drive continuous improvement in lending operations

Assess risk and return trade-offs to guide profitable lending decisions and explore innovative solutions to expand loan programs and reach

Align lending practices with the Enterprise Risk Management framework, identify operational efficiencies, and implement scalable solutions

Maintain and revise consumer loan policies and procedures; ensure policies are clearly communicated and understood throughout the organization

Champion the voice of the member and staff in decision-making, leading initiatives that improve the experience across all lending channels and touchpoints

Monitor portfolio performance and compliance; ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and Board-approved policies

Conduct quality reviews of credit underwriting, ensuring documentation and practices meet all standards

Provide portfolio analysis on pipelines, product performance, goals, past due and charge off trends, and delinquency management, pricing, personnel performance, etc

Identify and advocate for tools and technologies that enhance lending decision-making, operational efficiency, and member satisfaction

Compile, present, and advise on lending data and strategies to executive committees and internal stakeholders

Represent the credit union in industry associations and community partnerships to support its mission, visibility and strategic objectives

Stay current on legal and regulatory requirements from NCUA and all governing bodies; recommend operational and policy changes as needed

Qualification

Consumer lending expertiseRegulatory compliance knowledgeLeadership experienceFinancial analysisPortfolio monitoringDigital communication proficiencyCoachingMentoringTeam collaborationCommunication skillsDecision-making

Required

Minimum 12 years of lending and next-level leadership experience in financial services, preferably in a credit union or community-based financial institution

Proven ability to manage complex lending operations, drive organizational change, and ensure compliance with regulatory and policy standards

Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, or related field required, or experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree

Current registration with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS), or ability to become registered upon hire

Recent, relevant, and strong understanding of all aspects of consumer lending, including leading leaders, financial analysis, and portfolio monitoring and reporting

Knowledge of regulatory requirements, internal policies, and enterprise risk management principles related to consumer lending

High proficiency with digital communication platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and tools supporting underwriting, credit analysis, and portfolio monitoring

Ability to articulate a clear direction for the department, align team goals with enterprise objectives, and anticipate future trends in mortgage lending

Drives organizational change by preparing teams for new processes, tools, or strategies; manages resistance and maintains engagement during transitions

Builds bench strength by coaching, mentoring, and growing future leaders; proactively identifies high-potential employees

Shapes a positive, values-aligned, and inclusive team culture that reinforces member-centric behaviors and collaboration

Makes timely, high-impact decisions in fast-moving or uncertain situations while balancing operational, financial, and risk considerations

Builds alignment across departments, executive leadership, and external partners to drive organizational goals

Encourages new ideas, identifies opportunities for operational improvements, and champions technology or process solutions to enhance efficiency

Ensures department delivers measurable outcomes, tracks performance against goals, and holds self and team accountable for results

Maintains focus and leads effectively through challenges, shifting priorities, or regulatory changes

Communicates with credibility, builds trust across the enterprise, and represents the credit union externally with professionalism and influence

Exceptional verbal and written communication, negotiation, and collaboration skills that build trust and foster strong working relationships

Strong ability to analyze financial and operational data, assess risk/return trade-offs, and make informed decisions

Company

Sunward

Sunward, formerly known as Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union (SLFCU), is one of New Mexico’s largest credit unions, serving 170,000+ members and managing more than $4.1 billion in assets.

Founded in 1948

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

501-1000 employees