Director, Business Credit

Description

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About this opportunity

At Meridian our aspiration is to integrate our purpose into everything we do for people, the planet, and communities. We believe that our greatest opportunity is to create opportunity and meet people where they are.

As the Director of Business Credit, you will be responsible for ensuring that the Commercial lending portfolio represents an acceptable risk/return profile as established by approved credit risk management policies. Lead the mid-market adjudication team in facilitating credit decisions and providing accurate Credit Agreements on Commercial connections of $10-$50 million within a regulatory compliant framework consistent with Board policy. Provide effective leadership and stewardship to the Business Credit management function, contributing to regular monthly reviews of portfolio credit quality through established reporting measures.

Management:

• Provide leadership to direct reports in maintaining sound and consistent credit decisioning.
• Foster a culture of shared, proactive risk management with Business Banking partners. Enhance the profile of the Business Credit team, highlighting the role of risk management in supporting a differentiated brand and contributing to Meridian’s sustainable profitability.
• Achieve strong employee engagement scores, leading impactful action planning sessions.
• Maintain a coaching/training/mentoring program for direct reports and new recruits.
• Embed operational transparency principles in all activities.

Adjudication:

• Approve, amend or decline Commercial credit applications within delegated authority in a timely and efficient manner, ensuring risk is appropriate and service standards are maintained.
• Enhance throughput effectiveness in adjudication through refined processes, without compromising on credit risk fundamentals.
• Provide constructive feedback on opportunities for improvement with respect to applications and due diligence.
• Act as an escalation point for credit decision appeals, working to quickly reach resolution on differences in opinion by leveraging objective and informed insights.

Strategy:

• Guide the Business Credit portfolio toward implementation of target risk profile, identifying opportunities for portfolio diversification.
• Identify new opportunities for portfolio growth within an appropriate credit risk framework. Provide support and insights to the assessment of new products or service offerings under consideration.
• Leverage technology and enhance reporting for continual improvements in portfolio management and monitoring borrower default risk.

Policies & Reporting:

• Create and maintain industry analysis and lending guidelines for all relevant industries.
• Continually update credit policies and forms, with regular updates to Business Banking.
• Provide prompt reporting to Senior Leadership regarding compliance with all Board credit policy and internal operating limits relative to portfolio composition, industry segments, risk profile, and various concentration measures.
• Ensure that commercial delinquency is minimized through proactive means and collection techniques including appropriate and timely recognition of actual loan impairment and appropriate loss provision.
• Continually update the risk rating model, integrating economic and industry insights to appropriately measure risk of default and loss given default.
• Achieve satisfactory audit results on external and internal audit reviews, taking action on audit recommendations for necessary enhancements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough understanding of commercial business structures and financing options / techniques including syndication and corporate finance.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of business financial statements, business case and cash flow analysis.
• Thorough knowledge of commercial account operating procedures and banking services.
• Sound understanding of commercial lending security documentation, including collection / work out techniques and remedies.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to develop and administer portfolio analysis techniques/ processes to ensure those guidelines are maintained and enhanced on an ongoing basis.
• Strong computer competency (Word/Excel/Outlook)

• Comfort learning and adopting new digital tools, with an openness to using AI‑enabled technology to enhance productivity, accuracy, and the Member experience

This role represents an existing vacancy. Internal candidates are being considered as part of our standard process.

Salary Range: CAD $145,000.00 to $185,000.00 annually.

Compensation for this role is based on a combination of skills, experience, and internal equity. Candidates with stronger alignment to the role’s requirements may be placed higher within the range. Your recruiter will share more information about our total rewards package during the hiring process.

Office Location: St. Catharines Corporate Office, located at 75 Corporate Park Drive, St. Catharines, ON. This is a hybrid work opportunity.

Meridian has a remote work policy that allows flexibility for employees to work remotely but also requires regular time in the office for purposeful meetings to collaborate, innovate and build effective relationships with your team, your colleagues and your leader which is very important to us.

What's in it for you?

• We have an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages creativity, curiosity, and celebrates success
• We provide you with the tools and technology needed to delight your candidates and clients
• You'll get to work with and learn from diverse industry leaders
• Hybrid work arrangements with in-person office time to collaborate, innovate and build relationships with your colleagues
• This isn't your typical "corporate" job. We work hard and we have fun!

Build the Future of Banking with Us

At Meridian, we’re not just adapting to the future—we’re shaping it. We see talent as a catalyst for sustainable growth, community impact, and future-readiness. As the financial landscape evolves, we’re looking for team members who bring:

• Embedding & leveraging technology – Confidence and willingness to learn and integrate AI and emerging technologies into new ways of working. Experience with low/no code tools like the Microsoft Power Platform and generative AI productivity tools like Microsoft Copilot is considered an asset
• Critical Thinking – The ability to analyze, evaluate and interpret information from various sources and apply logic and problem solving to make decisions.
• Data Driven– Leverage data and insights to identify, prioritize and improve member experience and business efficiency.
• Curiosity & Flexibility – Comfortable navigating and embracing change and uncertainty, ask more questions, explore more options. Continuously learn and grow.

Who we are:

Meridian is Ontario’s largest credit union, and second largest in Canada, helping to grow the lives of our more than 380,000 Members. Meridian has more than 80 years of banking history and is 100% owned by its members. With 87 retail branches and 15 Business Banking Centers across Ontario and $ 32B in assets under management, Meridian offers a full range of financial products and services to its retail, business banking and wealth members. With over 2200 employees and corporate offices located in Toronto and St. Catharines, Meridian has a track record of creating and delivering innovative new offerings and is committed to investing in the communities that we serve. Our plan is to build on our momentum as we deliver on our purpose - helping our members achieve their best life.

Find our story here: