Branch Manager (Located in the Westwood Area)

Summary: The Branch Manager understands, communicates, and works to achieve the values, vision, and mission of FFB, FFA, and First Foundation, Inc. Responsible for risk management, sales/service activities, marketing plan, leadership/management, operating budget, profitable growth, and operational integrity of the assigned branch. This will be accomplished through proactive calling efforts to targeted prospects and referrals from existing clients, providing (individual and team) exemplary levels of client service, and identifying and promoting FFB/FFA solutions to client needs. Understands the valuable benefits of building long-term relationships with clients that may include various FFB/FFA business sales partners, as well as third-party vendors, and their products/services as appropriate. Responsible for recruiting, hiring, developing, coaching, and motivating branch team members. Is the senior officer in their branch office and will be called upon to act on behalf of the bank in public relations activities in the surrounding community/communities.

Salary Range: The salary range budgeted for this position is $100,000/yr to $115,000/yr and represents the Company's good faith minimum and maximum range for this role at the time of posting. The actual compensation offered to a candidate may vary depending on several factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and location.

The Company also offers a full range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and 401K match. Other rewards may include annual performance-based bonuses and wellness days.

Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a First Foundation Inc. position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an Employment Visa.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for adherence to all compliance programs and the completion of all required and assigned training by established due dates
• Responsible for understanding and performing their duties in a manner that is consistent with the Bank Secrecy Act, (“BSA”), Anti-Money Laundering Act (“AML”), and Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulations (“OFAC”). This includes understanding any responsibilities outlined under the Bank’s BSA/ OFAC Program, participating in any required training, and promptly complying with all reporting requirements
• Understand and comply with requirements of all laws and regulations applicable to the position
• Ensure the daily branch sales/service activities support the overall corporate objective of providing superior client service
• Focus individual and team efforts on client acquisition, retention, and relationship growth/expansion
• Proactively leads branch team, and participates, in the needs-based selling of bank products and services
• Develop and lead an annual branch (and quarterly) marketing/action plan to include specific goals
• Direct the branch team’s daily business development activities through outbound telemarketing, outside prospect & client appointments, in-branch cross-selling, branch/corporate campaigns, targeted direct e-mail and U.S. mail offerings, networking with COIs, community involvement, etc.
• Ensure client retention and relationship expansion through branch cross-selling activities
• Manage the branch portfolio for optimum performance. Focus on business prospects/clients, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals
• Participate in events that demonstrate support for the community and increase business opportunities for the bank
• Ensure compliance with CRA outreach programs
• Train team members in the areas of client service, sales, operations, regulatory requirements, bank products, etc.
• Ensure consistent and ongoing training is provided to branch team and individual team members
• Promote team members through training, cross-training, coaching, and career planning
• Oversee and administer all human resources issues at the branch
• Plan, implement, and manage the operating and capital budgets to maximize branch profitability
• Communicate Bank policies, procedures, and regulations to office personnel and ensure compliance and the correction of any deviations
• Ensure that office audit(s) are rated as “satisfactory” or better in the assigned branch
• Monitor compliance with Bank safety rules and applicable safety and health standards established by federal, state, or local laws and regulations
• Oversee premises and ensure that policies and procedures regarding facilities management are followed
• Know and comply with Bank policies, procedures, and regulations that govern job responsibilities. Additionally, must adhere to all Bank policies, procedures, and practices designed to ensure optimum compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering laws and regulations
• Attend and complete all required classroom, computer-based, web-based, and seminar training, as assigned
• It is the individual responsibility of every employee to maintain current awareness and understanding of and to fully comply with the Bank’s “Code of Ethics and Conduct”. Each employee is also expected to maintain an awareness of the laws, regulations, internal policies, and procedures that are appropriate for his/her position
• Perform other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has direct supervisory responsibilities

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience as a Branch Manager, or sales/service leadership equivalent, managing multiple team members successfully
• NMLS Registration required
• Business Banking/Lending background required

Skills:

• Excellent command of the English language, both written and verbal, and the ability to effectively communicate with all levels within the organization and out in the community
• General Mathematics and Accounting
• Ability to read/comprehend business income statements, balance sheets, tax returns, etc.
• Must be able to assess any given situation, make decisions, and bring to a successful resolution
• Must be experienced in the effective use of core banking system software
• Must have satisfactory working knowledge and proficiency with Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.

Other Requirements:

• Valid state driver’s license
• Required to travel a minimum of 70% of the time; method of travel (i.e. driving, flying) will vary depending on location

Approximate Time Allocation:

70% = Outside Sales and Business Development

20% = Leadership, Sales Management/Coaching

10% = Branch Administration/Operations, Compliance, etc.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Travel may be required to and from offices and other various locations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

First Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, and status as a qualified individual with a disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.