Avp & Regional Lead, Western Canada Advisory Group

The AVP Regional Lead, Western Canada Advisory Group provides strategic, technical, and people leadership for a specialized advisory team supporting complex commercial lending across Western Canada. Based in either Calgary or Vancouver, and reporting to the Head of Credit Execution, Western Canada, the role is accountable for advancing underwriting quality, consistency, and sound risk judgment across large and complex borrowing arrangements, while serving as a key partner to Commercial Banking deal teams, Risk Management, and Western Canada leadership.The Western Canada Advisory Group is a growing specialized advisory function. The AVP & Regional Lead is responsible for leading the existing team and building the Group's continued expansion across Western Canada, including talent development, recruitment, and establishing scalable priorities, structures, and operating practices.Your Role
As the senior leader of the Western Canada Advisory Group, you will lead a growing team of experienced advisory professionals, support the structuring and execution of complex commercial lending transactions, deliver portfolio insights and strategic recommendations, and drive the continued development of advisory practices across Western Canada. Success in the role requires strong commercial banking judgment, proven leadership capability, and the technical credibility to contribute from day one.Leadership Accountabilities
Lead the strategic direction, priorities, operating model, and ongoing development of the Western Canada Advisory Group, providing recommendations on organizational design, resource requirements, and future growth opportunitiesBuild, develop and expand a team of Regional Directors and advisory professionals, including talent planning, recruitment, coaching, performance management, and succession developmentPromote consistency across Western Canada Commercial Banking teams by facilitating the sharing of market insights, emerging risks, and underwriting best practices among regional teamsBuild a collaborative team culture grounded in expertise, responsiveness, constructive feedback, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvementRepresent the Western Canada Advisory Group with Commercial Banking, Credit Execution, Risk Management, and Western Canada leadership, fostering collaboration, sharing portfolio and market insights, and driving alignment on underwriting practices, emerging risks, and strategic prioritiesComplex Transaction Leadership
Provide senior oversight and guidance on the structuring and underwriting of large and complex borrowing arrangements, including business transfers, cash flow lending, mergers and acquisitions, and transactions in specialized or higher-risk industries, ensuring Advisory Group involvement occurs early enough to influence transaction structure, underwriting strategy, risk identification, and approval outcomesReview transaction committee materials, approve Discussion Papers and Term Sheets within established accountabilities, and oversee the review of boardsheets and deal documentation to ensure accuracy, consistency, completeness, and clear articulation of riskProvide senior advisory support on complex credit matters, guiding deal teams through transactions involving material structural complexity, elevated risk, differing stakeholder perspectives, or issues requiring escalationMaintain accountability for the quality and consistency of the Advisory Group's advice while ensuring Regional Directors retain ownership of their respective regional mandatesPortfolio Oversight and Strategic Insight
Maintain a current, region-level view of the Western Canadian Commercial Loan Portfolio, including oversight of risk-rating migration and financial health by industry and regionTranslate portfolio and transaction trends into practical recommendations for senior leadership and underwriting teams, highlighting strengths, concentrations, emerging vulnerabilities, and areas requiring attentionUse portfolio insights to shape Advisory Group priorities, underwriting guidance, learning initiatives, and discussions with Risk ManagementProvide forward-looking perspectives on emerging risks and industry developments that may affect underwriting quality, portfolio performance, or future capability requirementsStandards, Governance and Continuous Improvement
Own the consistency, governance, and ongoing improvement of credit advisory practices across Western Canada, including the establishment of decision rights, escalation protocols, engagement expectations, and quality standardsOversee the maintenance and ongoing enhancement of transaction databases, boardsheet templates, underwriting guides, transaction committee materials, and other advisory tools to support consistency, knowledge sharing, and effective execution across regionsPromote best practices through practical guidance, feedback mechanisms, and continuous enhancement of advisory and underwriting practicesIdentify recurring process barriers, quality gaps, or emerging needs and lead practical improvements that strengthen execution, consistency, and technical rigor while maintaining appropriate risk disciplineCapability Building and Knowledge Leadership
Create and lead the Advisory Group's learning and development agenda, partnering with underwriting leaders and subject matter experts to strengthen expertise in transaction structuring, underwriting, credit risk, specialized industries, and NBC lending programsTranslate lessons from transactions, portfolio trends, and Risk Management feedback into practical coaching, development programs, and reusable best practicesBuild bench strength by developing Regional Directors and advisory professionals, identifying capability needs, and supporting the progression of underwriting and advisory talentIdentify current and future capability requirements and implement recruitment, succession, and talent-development strategies that support the continued growth and sustainability of the Western Canada Advisory GroupStakeholder and Business Partnership
Build trusted relationships across Commercial Banking, Credit Execution, Risk Management, and Western Canada leadership, acting as a credible partner who can influence, challenge, and align stakeholders on complex mattersProvide balanced and well-supported recommendations on complex transactions and portfolio matters, balancing technical credit considerations, risk stewardship, business priorities, and client needsPromote effective communication and engagement across regions and functions, ensuring alignment on material issues and building awareness of the Advisory Group's mandate and specialized capabilitiesRequirements
Bachelor of Commerce, or equivalent professional experience;
a Master of Business Administration is considered an asset15+ years of progressive commercial banking experience, including substantial experience in underwriting or combined sales and underwriting roles, supported by a strong record of successDeep technical credit and credit-risk expertise, including transaction structuring, underwriting, covenant design, risk mitigation, and the ability to provide senior oversight on large and complex commercial lending transactionsStrong knowledge of commercial credit risk principles and demonstrated credibility working with Credit Risk partners to achieve sound, appropriately structured credit outcomesDemonstrated leadership success, including experience building, scaling, and developing high-performing teams, specialized advisory functions, or underwriting platformsDemonstrated ability to establish or enhance governance frameworks, underwriting practices, service models, and advisory processes, with a track record of translating experience and feedback into practical improvements in execution and risk managementStrong executive communication, judgment, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders, challenge constructively, and balance technical, business, and client considerationsExperience balancing direct involvement in complex transactions with accountability for people leadership, portfolio oversight, governance, and business growthLanguages: EnglishRequired skills: Commercial Banking, Credit & Lending, Credit Risk, Credit Underwriting, Governance, Risk and Compliance, Loan Underwriting, Performance Management, Portfolio Management, Risk Mitigation, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Leadership, Team BuildingYour benefits
Health and wellness program, including many optionsFlexible group insuranceGenerous pension planEmployee Share Ownership PlanEmployee and family assistance programPreferential banking servicesInvolvement in community initiativesTelemedicine serviceVirtual sleep clinicWe have an offer that keeps up with trends as well as your needs and those of your family.Our dynamic work environments and cutting-edge collaboration tools foster a positive employee experience. We value employees’ ideas. Whether through our surveys or programs, regular feedback and ongoing communication are encouraged.Making a bold move in a people-first environment
We’re a bank on a human scale that stands out for its courage, entrepreneurial culture, and passion for people. Our mission is to have a positive impact on people’s lives. Our core values of partnership, agility, and empowerment inspire us, and inclusion is central to our commitments. We aim, wherever possible, to provide a barrier-free and accessible environment to all employees.We strive to provide accessibility measures throughout the recruitment process within the limits of our available resources. If you require accommodations, feel free to let us know during our initial conversations. We welcome all candidates! What can you bring to our team?Join us!
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