Operations Division Manager

Fountain Equipment Finance LLC, a fully owned subsidiary of SmartBank, operates out of Knoxville, Tennessee and has specialized in equipment financing for over 35 years, particularly in the construction and transportation sectors. The company provides funding for both new and pre-owned construction, transportation, and related equipment. Primarily working in 12 states, Fountain Equipment Finance partners with SmartBank, a full-service bank with over 40 branches serving Middle & East Tennessee, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. Currently, the company is seeking an experienced professional to join their Knoxville headquarters as an Operations Division Manager.

Position Summary:
Responsible for management and supervision of the Fountain Loan Administration process, direct departmental activities, and act as support for customer problem resolution for Fountain business operations while focusing on exemplary service. Will collaborate with lending subject matter experts and Internal Technology Staff support to manage systems and processes associated with loan documentation preparation and loan servicing across the business unit. Will collaborate to gather and define software requirements to include but not limited to, develop process maps for use of Loan Operations software, configure and implement new systems and/or enhance existing systems, write, and execute test plans, troubleshoot, and resolve complex system issues. Will ensure adherence to loan operations and key control procedures.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Upholds SmartBank Core Values and Core Purpose.
2.  Adheres to and embraces the SmartBank Way by Acting Smart, Looking Smart and Being Smart.
3. Perform loan administration managerial duties and provide positive leadership in all regions.
4. Understand the capabilities of our loan systems and optimize our ability to deliver a “WOW” customer experience.
5. Serve as a liaison between Internal Technology staff and Loan Origination and Operations teams.
6. Consult with Loan Origination and Operations teams to identify business technology needs and requirements
7. Develop and analyze to maintain new or current system processes and workflows
8. Assist in developing and documenting Loan Origination and Operations best practices and standards
9. Coordinate work between Internal Technology, Loan Origination and Operations teams to diagnose, review, and resolve incidents
10. Collect user feedback regarding system performance and work with Internal Technology Team to prioritize configuration requests
11. Pull, Review and Perform data validation using various reports generated from systems
12. Work with other business partners within the Organization on newly implemented projects and/or lending solutions.
13. Partner with project management team to assist with and monitor project ensuring the lending teams’ tasks are met as project/product evolve.
14. Supervises the Fountain Loan Support Staff on hiring, development, coaching, and reviewing to promote an overall highly trained and satisfied associate.
15. Perform associate reviews, monitor goal setting, provide coaching and support across the operations team.
16. Collaborate to understand each lending market team’s needs and strategic initiatives. Communicates needs effectively to accomplish desired results and support business continuity.
17. Ensures Loan Administration oversight area objectives and tasks are completed properly and timely.
18. Complete and/or assist SmartBank finance division with departmental audit responses and ensure that changes are implemented as needed and on a timely basis.
19. Ensures that staff are informed of policies and procedures, regulation changes and provides training when necessary.
20. Assist M&A Project Manager on any Loan Administration pre-merger informational gathering and Core system review as needed.
21. Assists Departmental Managers with M&A loan mapping, validation, and testing.
22. Complies with all applicable federal, state, and local banking and industry related laws and regulations including but not limited to, the Bank Secrecy Act.
23. Carries out such other duties as may be assigned or requested.

Position Requirements and Qualifications:

Education:

1. Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. 15 years of banking and customer service experience in the field directly related to loan process/system management with progressive responsibilities.
3. 10 years of loan experience.

Training Requirements (licenses, programs, or certificates):

None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1.  Ability to apply knowledge and sound judgment in decision-making using established guidelines.
2. Deliver high quality customer service skills.
3. Demonstrates the ability to maintain a positive attitude.
4. High level of integrity.
5. Must be capable of handling confidential information in a trustworthy manner.
6. Proficient level of computer competency including Microsoft Windows (Word, Excel, Outlook), and typing.
7. Must have strong leadership and communication skills.
8. Self-starter.
9. Detail oriented and ability to function in a team environment.
10. Must be able to prioritize and organize daily workflow.
11. Must possess the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, with frequent interruptions.
12. Maintains a competent level of expertise and knowledge of the requirements of various lending laws, and rules.
13. Willing to accept new ideas and methods and be agreeable to change.
14. Able to maintain regular and predictable attendance.

Work Conditions:

1. Able to routinely stand, sit, bend and stoop.
2. Frequent and regularly required movements using wrists, hand and/or fingers.
3. Ability to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information.
4. Must be available to work the required schedule of the Loan Department
5. May be required to travel to training sessions or meetings.
6. May be required to travel to various branch locations.
7. Must be able to function in remote work conditions and continually support department goals and objectives.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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