Purpose of the Role: 

The Director, Corporate Credit Risk assists the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and Chief Credit Officer (CCO) with evaluating and managing credit risk throughout CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank. Particular emphasis will be placed on managing and adjudicating credit exposures that require FCIB Credit Committee approval or Risk & Conduct Review Committee approval. The incumbent assesses and adjudicates corporate credits (including high-risk watch list accounts) in addition to any personal advances of key individuals that fall within the incumbent’s discretionary limits. The Director assists the Chief Risk Officer & executive with the evaluation and management of counterparty credit risk with a specific focus assigned to the role of either: (i) special loans / large credits; or (ii) sovereign & financial institutions (assigned by the CRO or executive) throughout the Caribbean for the entire CIBC FirstCaribbean financial group.

The incumbent provides training, coaching, support, guidance and advice to risk managers on specific credit underwriting evaluations and decisions, lending situations generally and other risk matters. Provides credit risk mitigation input with regards to deals presented. Supports the smooth operation of the risk and adjudication function via the back-up for other Directors, Corporate Credit and vice-versa those directors provide back-up for this role as necessary. Monitors / manages adherence to the Bank’s credit risk policy and risk management procedures. Provides credit risk mitigation input with regards to deals presented. Provides support, guidance and advice to relationship managers (both Corporate & Investment Banking) on specific credit proposals, lending situations generally and other credit risk matters in all countries where the Bank operates.

Supports design and implementation of CIBC FCIB’s own rating / evaluation / grading models for advances to respective areas of expertise and reviews the approach to sector risk. Works on projects related to credit risk management and liaises with market risk, operational risk, retail risk, portfolio risk management, risk services and other functional areas with respect to projects relating to governance, risk management strategies and compliance. Liaises with CIBC on appetite and rating issues. From a policy and procedures perspective and with an objective to minimise credit losses and to maximise revenue opportunities, develops in a timely manner risk management strategies in loan origination, adjudication, monitoring and control.  Integrates and aligns activities to avoid conflicts and duplication of effort and cost to the Bank.

 Identifies shortcomings with existing risk policies and procedures and develops policy and processes to mitigate risk.  Manages the day-to-day activities of the adjudication team to support staff engagement and development, a good client experience, and sustained risk performance consistent with the Bank’s risk appetite statement and metrics.

(Where relevant, if a Director has no direct reports, specific supervisory elements referred to in this role profile are not applicable except when the Director is backing-up for another Director that has direct and indirect staff.  At all times with respect to team, as a senior member of Credit Risk Management the Director is expected to act in a manner which supports healthy engagement and effective working relationships / collaboration amongst the overall adjudication and wider Risk team).

Key Accountabilities: 

• Responsible for sustaining metrics and performance per the Bank’s risk appetite statement and metrics, and other metrics and performance standards that are agreed with the Chief Credit Officer – achieved by ensuring team performs to full potential by identifying where the Bank is at risk using latest risk management tools. 
• Sanctions credit applications within a graded lending matrix per delegated lending authority, delegated lending standard and / or other document / protocol established by CCO / CRO may provide a one stop sanctioning service, i.e. reviewing credit applications within the delegated limits.  Applications may also be processed by an analyst (who has no lending discretion) or another Credit Risk Manager and forward to the Director for sanctioning. 
• Evaluates and makes recommendations to the Chief Credit Officer, Chief Risk Officer or Credit Committee for any application processed where facilities are outside sole discretion. 
• Delivers high quality risk decisions in accordance with a service level agreement. Consistently, accurately and thoroughly analyses and applies risk situations to formulate views that reflect the various stakeholders’ interests without compromising quality standards. 
• Proactively manages / monitors advances exhibiting unsatisfactory trends, which come to the attention of the department through credit risk returns, credit risk visits, audit queries, excess reports or correspondence. Invokes the appropriate course of action on deteriorating / problem accounts to protect the Bank’s position. 
• Ensures implementation of and adherence to Bank’s risk policy, exposure policy and best practice. 
• Consistently manages credit risk at both macro and micro levels to support achievement of the Bank’s risk reward objectives. 
• Visits countries according to an agreed schedule to assess the quality of lending book, management of portfolio, adherence to policy, etc. 
• Provides guidance on various specialised credit matters received from corporate teams in branches. Actively encourages direct and open discussions with Corporate Managers to deliver constructive advice. 
• Liaises with other Risk leaders, managers, and teams (Special Loans, Credit Client Management, Personal Credit Services, Risk Services, Market Risk, Property Sector Specialists) to share information on the quality of applications, section policy and outcome of branch visits.  Liaises with relevant internal units such as Risk Assurance, Audit and Compliance as required.  
• Develops industry specific papers with regards to broad based parameters for financing proposals. This will be done in consultation with the Bank’s industry specialisation resources coupled with relevant peers / CRMD Directors & CCO. 
• Develops and transfers knowledge to credit managers within the Credit Risk Management team regarding analysis and review of large corporate and capital market transactions. 
• Actively works with the business lines across the region to structure transactions / proposals that fall within the Bank’s threshold for credit risk while at the same time ensuring that the business line remains competitive in terms of its credit underwriting capabilities.

 
Critical Knowledge & Skills Required:

• Degree in finance / accounting / business / economics / professional qualification – Associate of Chartered Institute of Bankers or equivalent.
• Good numeracy including an understanding of accounting principles and the interpretation of financial ratios.
• Full competency in all aspects of credit analysis and thorough knowledge of the canons of lending.
• Thorough understanding of the corporate market and credit risk.
• Has a complete understanding of counter party transactions risks involved and is able to fully utilise tools and resources to manage credit risk.
• In-depth legal knowledge of corporate structure and security considerations.
• Detailed understanding of credit risk management across the product range.
• PC literacy.
• Ability to communicate effectively (both verbal and written) to internal customers and with external professionals.
• Knowledge of the political and economic environments and the financial services industry in the Caribbean region.
• Human resource management skills - effective and consistent management and development of human resource - able to manage people; coaches and performance manages staff effectively.
• Excellent communication skills - able to present (present ideas well in written and verbal form) and communicate critical aspects.
• Strong business acumen.
• Leads by example, engaged and a team player.
• Strong intellect and sound judgement.
• Sets and meets own high standards and ensure team does likewise.
• Strong self-belief and open to challenge / open-minded.
• Ambitious and seeks new approaches to work and style.
• Decisive.
• Top class analytical focus.
• Industry knowledge re project finance and infrastructure finance preferred.

Experience Required:

• At least five years’ banking experience at management level.
• Prior experience as a frontline Corporate / Investment Banking lender, and preferably experience as an adjudicator.
• Previous senior team management expertise.
• Through experience, gained detailed understanding of segment specific risk and the risk management procedures for the Corporate market, Capital markets, Sovereign, Financial sectors and country risk exposure.
• Experience in formulating policies, procedures, and strategies.
• Worked in a competitive and fast paced environment.
• A skilled communicator - able to communicate decisions (especially declines) in a manner to clearly and satisfactory convey Head Office point of view whilst achieving buy in, where possible, of submitter.
   

Expiry Date: 19-3-2025