Director - Loan Review & Credit Risk

Director - Loan Review & Credit Risk

Location: Denver, CO (In-Office)

Job Type: Full-Time Exempt

Salary: $134,000 - $228,000/YR *Actual offer will be based on experience, location, education, and/or skills*

Applications should be submitted for consideration no later than 04/30/2026.

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Who We're Looking For

You're a seasoned credit risk leader with deep experience in commercial, real estate, and consumer lending. You excel at independently assessing credit quality, identifying emerging risks, and delivering clear, actionable feedback to senior stakeholders. You bring strong analytical judgment, a calm and objective mindset, and the ability to collaborate effectively with lending, credit, audit, and regulatory partners. If you thrive in roles that balance technical expertise, governance, and strategic influence, this role is for you.

About the Role

The Director - Loan Review & Credit Risk provides independent oversight of First Western's credit risk framework and loan portfolio quality. This role leads loan review, validates credit grading accuracy, supports regulatory exam readiness, and monitors portfolio risk trends across all loan types. As a key second-line function, the position evaluates underwriting, documentation, policy adherence, and emerging risk indicators. Through crossfunctional partnership and executive reporting, this role strengthens risk governance and supports safe, sustainable growth.

What You'll Do

• Direct the Bank's loan review function, providing independent evaluation of credit quality, risk ratings, documentation, underwriting, covenant compliance, and adherence to loan policy and regulatory requirements across all loan types
• Oversee credit grading accuracy, validate risk rating methodologies, and stress test individual credits and portfolios to identify emerging risk and potential loan problems.
• Monitor portfolio trends including concentration risk, delinquency, migration, collateral coverage, industry exposure, and loss forecasting; develop actionable insights for management.
• Design and maintain earlywarning indicators, refresh credit scores, and assess problem loan management and workout plan effectiveness prior to formal remediation
• Ensure readiness for regulatory exams and internal/external audits.
• Evaluate loan policy, approval processes, exception reporting, LTV limits, covenant tracking, internal controls, concentration reporting, and ACL methodology; recommend enhancements to improve risk governance and effectiveness.
• Prepare executivelevel reporting and present findings to senior management and Board committees.
• Collaborate with credit officers, lenders, auditors, and regulators to strengthen credit practices.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10-15 years of progressive loan review, credit risk, or credit administration experience.
• Experience with commercial, real estate, consumer, and complex loan structures.
• Strong knowledge of credit grading, portfolio analytics, stress testing, and regulatory expectations.
• Ability to identify emerging credit risks and recommend pragmatic solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to brief executives.
• Strong leadership, analytical abilities, and judgment.

• Competitive base salary: $134,000 - $228,000/YR, plus strong bonus potential.
  
  
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
  
  
• Paid parking and transportation benefits.
  
  
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including:
  
  
  
  
  • Health savings accounts (HSA)
    
    
  • Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
    
    
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
    
    
  
  
  
  
• Generous paid time off and bank holidays.
  
  
• Access to training and professional development programs.
  
  
• Sponsorship and support for obtaining professional certifications.
  
  
• A culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and shared success.

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At First Western Trust, we're more than just a financial institution-we're a team of forward-thinkers committed to excellence, innovation, and impact. Our culture thrives on teamwork and mutual respect, grounded in the belief that diverse perspectives fuel creativity and help us tackle challenges in fresh, effective ways.

We celebrate each other's successes, welcome new ideas, and take personal ownership in everything we do. A genuine desire to positively impact our clients, communities, and one another drives our work. We meet challenges with a growth mindset, act with urgency and accountability, and constantly strive to raise the bar for ourselves and our clients.

Leadership at First Western means setting an example and fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and respect. Whether you're just beginning your journey or bringing years of experience, you'll find a welcoming community where your contributions are valued and your potential is boundless.

We expect our people to:

• Demand and reward excellence.
• Take action and responsibility.
• Collaborate, communicate openly, and give/receive feedback with trust.
• Go above and beyond to do what's right-always.

If that sounds like you, you'll fit right in.

Learn more at myfw.com or email Talent.Management@myfw.com.

First Western Trust is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace where every team member is valued and given the opportunity to thrive. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. For accommodation requests, please contact Talent.Management@myfw.com.