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 strong 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 opportunitiesBuild, develop and expand a team of Regional Directors and advisory professionals, including talent planning, recruitment, coaching, performance management,



and succession developmentPromote consistency across Western Canada Commercial Banking teams by facilitating the sharing of market insights, emerging risks, and underwriting best practices among regional teamsBuild a collaborative team culture grounded in expertise, responsiveness, constructive feedback, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvementRepresent 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 prioritiesComplex 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 outcomesReview 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 transparent articulation of riskProvide senior advisory support on complex credit matters,



guiding deal teams through transactions involving material structural complexity, elevated risk, differing stakeholder perspectives, or issues requiring escalationMaintain accountability for the quality and consistency of the Advisory Group's advice while ensuring Regional Directors retain ownership of their respective regional mandatesPortfolio 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 regionTranslate portfolio and transaction trends into practical recommendations for senior leadership and underwriting teams, highlighting strengths, concentrations, emerging vulnerabilities, and areas requiring attentionUse portfolio insights to shape Advisory Group priorities, underwriting guidance, learning initiatives, and discussions with Risk ManagementProvide forward-looking perspectives on emerging risks and industry developments that may affect underwriting quality, portfolio performance, or future capability requirementsStandards, 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 standardsOversee 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 regionsPromote best practices through practical guidance, feedback mechanisms, and continuous enhancement of advisory and underwriting practicesIdentify recu

📌 Avp & Regional Lead, Western Canada Advisory Group (Winnipeg)
🏢 National Bank of Canada
📍 Winnipeg