Columbia Bank is a full-service consumer and commercial bank serving individuals, businesses, and communities across New Jersey, Staten Island, and Brooklyn. Through our banking, title, insurance, and wealth management businesses, we provide a broad range of financial solutions tailored to our customers’ needs. We are also committed to strengthening the communities we serve through employee volunteerism, community partnerships, and the Columbia Bank Foundation.
Why This Role Matters
The Branch Manager A serves as a critical leader within the organization, overseeing a branch with deposits exceeding $100 million or bringing more than 10 years of branch banking experience to the role. This position is essential to driving business growth, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and ensuring the operational excellence of one of the Bank's most significant service locations.
In addition, the Branch Manager A exercises lending authority by extending credit to businesses and individuals within established guidelines, supporting the financial needs of customers while maintaining prudent risk management practices.
Operational leadership is another critical aspect of this role. The Branch Manager A oversees the daily administration of the branch, ensuring compliance with regulatory and security requirements, maintaining operational controls, and fostering a culture of accountability. The position also provides leadership and development for branch staff, ensuring team members are equipped to deliver outstanding service, achieve performance goals, and support the Bank's mission and values.
Ultimately, the Branch Manager A is more than a branch leader. This role serves as a key driver of business performance, employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and community presence, making it an integral part of the Bank's long-term success and growth strategy.
Division/Department Overview
The Retail Banking Division plays a vital role in the Bank's growth, profitability, and customer experience strategy. Through a network of branch locations and community-based banking professionals, the division is responsible for cultivating and expanding existing customer relationships while proactively developing new business opportunities.
Retail Banking serves as the primary point of contact for many customers, delivering personalized financial solutions and exceptional service to individuals, families, and small businesses. The division drives deposit growth, consumer lending production, and overall branch performance through strategic relationship management, customer engagement, and community involvement.
What You'll Do
The Branch Manager A is responsible for a branch office with deposits $100 million and above or has over 10 years of branch banking experience. This position promotes the expansion of existing business relationships and develops new business, extends credit to businesses and individuals within lending authority, and oversees the daily operations of the branch - including supervision of staff, maintaining prescribed security procedures, and resolving routine and complex problems.
- Directs branch activities to promote the growth of the Bank through management’s goals. Calls on existing clients to maintain customer base and perspective new clients in person and over the phone. Follows-up on leads and conducts cold calls. Maintains log of all sales calls, visits, and their outcomes. Represents the Bank at various civic and community functions to further enhance the image of the Bank and to develop additional business. Maintains a current awareness of all Bank’s products and services to promote and cross sell to new and existing customers.
- Extends credit to businesses and individuals within lending authority. Works with existing customer base and potential new clients to solicit lending business. Processes and underwrites home equity and installment loans. Refers customers to other lending personnel or meets with customers after conferring with lending area. Works with customers and lending department to process loans.
- Oversees daily branch operations. Exercises control of office functions including implementation of new policies and procedures. Maintains security controls to protect against fraudulent activities and minimize risk and exposure. Ensures adherence to all federal and state regulations. Keeps staff up to date with changes to regulations (state, federal or Bank guidelines). Maintains a current knowledge of all Bank products and services and informs staff of changes. Exercises the usual authority of a manager including, scheduling, performance appraisals, salary recommendations, training, or discipline.
- Assists customers in the branch with all types of transactions. Works with customers requiring complex transactions. Resolves any problems that may occur in the branch. Approves overdrafts and uncollected items within approved limits.
- Maintains an awareness of economic characteristics within market area. Uses information to maintain quality service. Informs senior management of any significant changes. Maintains a current knowledge of trends and changes within the financial industry.
- Participates in various branch administration meetings and conducts meetings with branch personnel. Assures all reports of branch operations are prepared accurately and within established time schedules.
- Performs other job related duties as assigned.
What You’ll Need to Succeed
- Over 10 years of branch banking experience;
- The ability to effectively develop business within your market area with proven results of successfully meeting individual and branch goals. Active participation in community activities and service organizations.
- Effective management skills; ability to motivate and coach employees, substantiate recommendations for salary increases and promotions, ability to discipline as needed.
- Thorough knowledge of Retail Banking operations including the responsibility for all Branch reports and the security of the Bank’s assets.
- Completed the Management Development Core – In-House Curriculum.
- A BA or BS in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting is preferred.
- Ability to participate in branch manager’s meetings, seminars and any other educational activities deemed necessary.
- Ability to deal effectively with customers and all levels of Bank personnel.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational, follow-up and time management skills.
Technology Qualifications
- Working knowledge of Salesforce and DNA, with the ability to navigate systems efficiently to support customer relationship management, sales activities, and daily branch operations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including experience generating, analyzing, and interpreting reports to support business decisions, operational efficiency, and performance management.
- Demonstrated ability to leverage technology to improve productivity, enhance the customer experience, and support financial and operational goals.
What Will Help You Stand Out
The ideal candidate will bring a strong track record of business development and community engagement, demonstrating the ability to cultivate meaningful relationships that contribute to branch growth and market presence.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Established business development experience with strong connections within the local community.
- Active involvement in community organizations, civic groups, chambers of commerce, or nonprofit boards, including serving in leadership or board member capacities.
- Proven ability to develop and leverage centers of influence (COIs), including relationships with business owners, attorneys, accountants, real estate professionals, and other key referral sources.
- Demonstrated success in generating new business opportunities, expanding customer relationships, and increasing deposits, loans, and other banking services through networking and relationship-building efforts.
- Strong reputation within the market as a trusted advisor and community leader who can represent the Bank's brand and values.
- Experience developing strategic partnerships that enhance community visibility, support financial growth objectives, and strengthen customer engagement.
The hours that you will dedicate to work
Monday to Friday: 8:30am until closing, working 40 hours, must be able to work alternating Saturdays: 8:30am until closing based on business needs.
How We Take Care of You
Build a stronger future for yourself, your family and the communities we serve. At Columbia Bank, meaningful work comes together with a collaborative and rewarding culture, opportunities to learn and grow, and a total rewards package designed to support your health, financial security and overall wellbeing. Benefits include healthcare choice, retirement savings with company support, employee ownership, wellness resources, education and student loan programs, paid time off and financial protection. Join a company where your contribution is valued, your growth is supported and your career can make a meaningful impact.
Columbia Bank and its affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.
