Corporate & Commercial Banking Portfolio Manager Lead

At Associated Bank we strive to create an inclusive culture where different perspectives are valued and recognized as strengths critical to our success. If you thrive in an environment where your growth and development are encouraged and supported, then Associated Bank may be the right place for you.
Associated Bank requires you to directly represent yourself and your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process. Associated Bank conducts a thorough background check on all new hires.
The Corporate & Commercial Banking Portfolio Manager Lead is responsible for leading the underwriting, structuring, and credit approval process for Associated Bank’s Corporate & Commercial Banking portfolio. This role manages and develops a team of entry level portfolio managers and credit analysts while ensuring consistent, policy aligned credit decisions that support the Bank’s middle market and commercial growth strategy.
Operating as a first level people leader, this role partners closely with Business Development Officers, Relationship Managers, Portfolio Managers, Credit Administration, and Credit Committee to balance prudent risk management with responsive deal execution. The role contributes tactical leadership and operational discipline, with limited but meaningful input into strategy, policy interpretation, and process improvements.
Key Accountabilities
Underwriting & Credit Management
Lead underwriting for new credit facilities and renewals, including:
Financial statement analysis
Cash flow modeling
Borrowing base analysis
Collateral evaluation and risk assessment
Structure and present credit facilities in alignment with Associated Bank’s credit policy, risk appetite, and strategic objectives.
Review, approve, and/or escalate underwriting packages and credit write‑ups to appropriate approval authorities or credit committee.
Ensure underwriting compliance with internal credit policy, regulatory expectations, and approved underwriting standards.
Maintain working knowledge of documentation, including security agreements, borrowing base certificates, collateral monitoring, and field audit requirements.
Leadership & Team Development
Manage, coach, and develop a team of entry level portfolio managers/underwriters and credit analysts.
Provide day‑to‑day direction, guidance, and quality review to ensure consistent and timely credit decisions.
Establish and reinforce underwriting standards, checklists, workflows, and best practices to drive efficiency and risk discipline.
Support team performance through training, feedback, and development planning.
Collaboration & Relationship Management
Partner with Business Development Officers, Relationship Managers and Portfolio Managers to support deal execution from origination through approval, closing, and ongoing monitoring.
Participate in borrower or sponsor meetings as needed to present underwriting conclusions and discuss structure.
Coordinate with internal partners including Credit Administration, Legal, Documentation, and Operations.
Engage with external service providers (appraisers, auditors, legal counsel, collateral specialists) to support diligence and credit decisioning.
Policy, Process & Risk Oversight
Apply and interpret credit policy consistently across transactions, escalating exceptions as appropriate.
Support continuous improvement of underwriting workflows, documentation standards, and portfolio monitoring practices.
Provide periodic reporting and insight to management and credit committee regarding:
Credit risk trends
Portfolio performance
Industry and collateral exposure
Education & Experience
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
5+ years of commercial banking or credit underwriting experience.
At least 3 years of asset-based lending experience, or demonstrated experience with transactions, collateral structures, and borrowing base mechanics.
5+ years of experience preparing and presenting credit recommendations to approval authorities or credit committees.
5+ years of experience with credit structures, documentation, and collateral monitoring practices.
Strong analytical and credit risk assessment skills, including the ability to interpret financial statements, collateral trends, and borrower risk.
Preferred
2+ years of experience leading or mentoring junior credit professionals.
Demonstrated people leadership capability.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
Join a growing commercial banking platform where you can make a meaningful impact on portfolio strategy, underwriting quality, and team development. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate with experienced banking professionals while helping shape and expand a developing portfolio management function in a key market. Apply today to make an impact.
We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified parties, including but not limited to people returning to the workforce, people with disabilities, those without a college degree, and veterans or those with military experience.
In addition to core traditional benefits, we take pride in offering benefits for every stage of life.
Retirement savings including both 401(k) and Pension plans.
Paid time off to volunteer in your community.
Opportunities to connect with others through our diversity-focused Colleague Resource Groups.
Competitive salaries with professional development and advancement opportunities.
Bonus benefits including well-being programs and incentives, parental leave, an employee stock purchase plan, military benefits and much more.
Personal banking, loan, investment and insurance benefits.
Associated Bank serves more than 120 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri and we consider our colleagues critical to our continued success. See why our colleagues continually vote us a best place to work in the Midwest. Join our community on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
Artificial Intelligence Statement
To support our recruiting process, we may use artificial intelligence ("AI") or automated technologies to collect, organize, sort, and analyze information submitted by applicants. These tools may assist our Talent Acquisition professionals in identifying applicants who appear to satisfy the minimum qualifications for a position.
AI is not used to make employment decisions on behalf of Associated Bank. No applicant will be selected or rejected solely based on the output of an AI tool. Hiring decisions are made by Associated Bank personnel who review applicant information and exercise independent judgment in accordance with applicable law and company policies.
Compliance Statement
Associated Bank is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We support a work environment where colleagues are respected and given the opportunity to perform to their fullest potential. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, among other factors.
Fully complies with all applicable enterprise policies and procedures. Acts in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in training materials, including but not limited to Bank Secrecy Act. Responsible for reporting suspicious activity to Financial Intelligence. Responsible to report all customer complaints as prescribed and procedure violations to management or HR.
Responsible to report ethical concerns as needed to Associated Bank’s anonymous Ethics Hotline.
Associated Bank provides additional assistance throughout the application, interview and hiring process. Please contact leavesandaccommodations@associatedbank.com if you need an accommodation at any time during the process.
Associated Banc-Corp participates in the E-Verify Program. E-Verify Notice English or Spanish. Know Your Right to Work English or Spanish.
Associated Bank is Pay Transparency compliant.
The pay range represents anticipated base pay for this role.