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 robust 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 opportunities
Build, develop and expand a team of Regional Directors and advisory professionals, including talent planning, recruitment, coaching, performance management, and succession development
Promote consistency across Western Canada Commercial Banking teams by facilitating the sharing of market insights, emerging risks, and underwriting best practices among regional teams
Build a collaborative team culture grounded in expertise, responsiveness, constructive feedback, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement
Represent 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 priorities
Complex 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 outcomes
Review 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 risk
Provide senior advisory support on complex credit matters, guiding deal teams through transactions involving material structural complexity, elevated risk, differing stakeholder perspectives, or issues requiring escalation




Maintain accountability for the quality and consistency of the Advisory Group's advice while ensuring Regional Directors retain ownership of their respective regional mandates
Portfolio 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 region
Translate portfolio and transaction trends into practical recommendations for senior leadership and underwriting teams, highlighting strengths, concentrations, emerging vulnerabilities, and areas requiring attention
Use portfolio insights to shape Advisory Group priorities, underwriting guidance, learning initiatives, and discussions with Risk Management
Provide forward-looking perspectives on emerging risks and industry developments that may affect underwriting quality, portfolio performance, or future capability requirements
Standards, 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 standards
Oversee 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 regions
Promote best practices through practical guidance, feedback mechanisms, and continuous enhancement of advisory and underwriting practices
Identify recurring process barriers, quality gaps, or emerging needs and lead practical improvements that strengthen execution, consistency, and technical rigor while maintaining appropriate risk discipline
Capability 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 programs
Translate lessons from transactions, portfolio trends, and Risk Management feedback into practical coaching, development programs, and reusable best practices
Build bench strength by developing Regional Directors and advisory professionals, identifying capability needs, and supporting the progression of underwriting and advisory talent
Identify 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 Group
Stakeholder 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 matters
Provide balanced and well-supported recommendations on complex transactions and portfolio matters, balancing technical credit considerations, risk stewardship, business priorities,



and client needs
Promote effective communication and engagement across regions and functions, ensuring alignment on material issues and building awareness of the Advisory Group's mandate and specialized capabilities
Requirements Bachelor of Commerce, or equivalent professional experience; a Master of Business Administration is considered an asset
15+ years of progressive commercial banking experience, including substantial experience in underwriting or combined sales and underwriting roles, supported by a strong record of success
Deep 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 transactions
Strong knowledge of commercial credit risk principles and demonstrated credibility working with Credit Risk partners to achieve sound, appropriately structured credit outcomes
Demonstrated leadership success, including experience building, scaling, and developing high-performing teams, specialized advisory functions, or underwriting platforms
Demonstrated 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 management
Strong executive communication, judgment, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders, challenge constructively, and balance technical, business, and client considerations
Experience balancing direct involvement in complex transactions with accountability for people leadership, portfolio oversight, governance, and business growth
Languages: English
Required 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 Building
Your benefits Health and wellness program, including many options
Adaptable group insurance
Generous pension plan
Employee Share Ownership Plan
Employee and family assistance program
Preferential banking services
Involvement in community initiatives
Telemedicine service
Virtual sleep clinic
We 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 workplace 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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📌 AVP & Regional Lead, Western Canada Advisory Group (Alberta)
🏢 National Bank of Canada
📍 Alberta