Director of Loan Syndication

The SouthState story is one of steady growth, deep community roots, and an unwavering commitment to helping our customers move forward. Since our beginnings in the 1930s to becoming a trusted financial partner across the South and beyond - we are known for combining personal relationships with forward-thinking solutions.

We are committed to helping our team members find their success while maintaining the integrity of our values: building trust, fostering lasting relationships and pursuing excellence. At SouthState, individual contributions are recognized, potential is cultivated and team members are inspired to achieve their greater purpose. Your future begins here!

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVES

The Director of Loan Syndications will be responsible for the creation and management of a new Commercial and Corporate product capability, from strategic concept to operational reality.  The scope of the position will be comprehensive leadership of a new institutional expertise, and while reporting to within the Commercial and Corporate line of business, the role will have equally strong credit and risk orientation attributes in combination with sales and origination aspects.  The role will work in concert with the Director of Corporate Banking, the Chief Credit Officer along with Group Banking and State Presidents to develop and drive an appropriately risk-based, high-performing loan syndication strategy for South State’s Commercial and Corporate Bank.  The position will largely support the activities and client base of the Middle Market team, but also select Commercial Banking and Commercial Real Estate clients and prospects, regionally focused and aligned with South State’s southeastern banking footprint.  Syndicated transactions would typically involve complex financial situations:  for Middle Market clients, this would include financing working capital, capital projects, mergers & acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations; for Commercial Real Estate (CRE) clients, needs would include financing construction, mini-perm or permanent financing for commercial real estate projects spanning multi-family, warehouse, office and residential subdivisions.  The role will ensure careful alignment with Middle Market and CRE strategy and execution through close partnership with Middle Market regional team leaders and line and credit management.  In addition, the position will also maintain close working relationships with the numerous internal support teams whose contributions will be required for effective performance and oversight (Operations, Risk, Legal, Finance, Marketing and Communications). 

The Director of Loan Syndications will be both production and risk-focused, centered on driving loan growth and fee income from strategic Middle Market and Commercial Real Estate relationships, but also assisting in effective management of credit and concentration risk on the Bank’s balance sheet.  To be successful, the position will be regarded as a technical expert as well as a credible partner and consultant to both internal banking teams as well as with external clients and prospects.  Initially, the focus of the role will be on leading the cross-functional project team tasked with establishing the internal processes, procedures, technology and reporting required to operationalize the essential functions of a regional loan syndication team.  It is further expected that the loan syndication capability will be iterative, with both size and scale of the team evolving over time based on market opportunities, market conditions and credit appetite.  As the syndication capability matures, additional team resources will be added at the recommendation of the Director of Loan Syndications.   

The ideal candidate will be highly analytical, detail oriented, process driven, and client focused.  The position requires a candidate who is an independent self-starter with a strong and diverse credit background, high attention to detail and solid relationship management skills as they set a vision for a future state operating model and construct the business.  

The role ensures compliance with the South State Bank Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and all other operating and compliance procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create the strategic and operational roadmap for syndicated multi-bank relationship lending across the Commercial and Corporate Bank, to specifically include Middle Market and Commercial Real Estate operating segments (agent and participation positions).
• In partnership with Credit Administration, create a target risk and structural profile for the South State syndication initiative.  Ensure alignment of prospecting efforts with established risk thresholds.  Develop and continually enhance policies & procedures for the syndications function and ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with applicable governing regulations.
• Lead the internal project team tasked with setting up all syndication process flows and operating steps, including the selection and deployment of any technology resources required to properly support the effort from its infancy through full production.  Initial focus to be applied to establishing the platform capability, to then be followed by sales and origination operating routines in a gradual buildout process over time and sequential project phases.    
• For any syndication origination efforts already underway (select number of small club-based transactions), assist with support in either origination efforts in process or residual amendment or modification client requests within the existing syndicated loan portfolio. 
• In partnership with Credit leadership, establish a target group of potential participant banks likely to consider joining a South State Agented transaction.  Understand risk, industry, pricing and structural tolerances in order to efficiently distribute exposure across a bank group.  Manage these relationships on a regular basis through frequent communication and contact.
• Once operational, assist with in-market client calling as well as prospect identification and advancement with Middle Market and Commercial Real estate bankers across the South State banking state footprint.
• Lead the screening process of potential lead bank opportunities with credit and line leadership.  For opportunities vetted and agreed upon for pursuit, drive and oversee the preparation and presentation of customized proposals, pitches and related presentations to prospect and clients.
• Manage the internal ‘end to end’ syndication sales process through close coordinating with the originating Relationship Manager, Credit Officer(s) and Portfolio Manager(s), as well as with regional leadership and segment leadership from origination through closing, ensuring accuracy of underwriting and efficiency of execution. 
• For new or modified lead syndicated transactions, facilitate and manage the negotiation process of full credit documentation with the Company and or Sponsor ownership, bank syndicate members, legal counsel and South State credit, risk and compliance teams.
• Establish and manage all due diligence processes associated with new syndicated relationships, as well as with the portfolio of agented loan syndications, accounting for operational, risk, compliance, reporting and legal controls and protocols.  
• Conceive and build the South State ‘lead agent’ reputation (over time) through relationship management, COI support and ultimately through successful transactional deal flow.
• Recruit additional syndication team members based on portfolio growth, corporate banking strategic direction as well as required specialization needs of skill and expertise. 

KEY COMPETENCIES OF ROLE

• Strategic thinking, results driven, process oriented, relationship builder, analytical, change agent, problem solver, Capital Market business acumen, organizational flexibility and adaptability.

CERTIFICATIONS / SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE

• Securities Licenses preferred to include Series 7, 63 and 79

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS/CLASSES

• New Employee Orientation, Annual Compliance Training, securities license annual continuing education

Qualifications, Education, and Certification Requirements

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting or related disciple is required; Advanced degree  / MBA preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 10 years commercial, middle market and capital markets experience; Experience should include significant loan structuring and credit analysis responsibilities as well as client origination activities.

Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of all Bank products, services, procedures and practices.  Must have an in-depth knowledge of Federal and State lending regulations and Bank policies relating to lending procedures. 

Skills: Must have well-developed sales, interpersonal, negotiating and problem-solving skills.  Excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary. Must have accounting and extensive credit skills.  Must be detail oriented and possess the proven ability to prioritize complex work assignments. Must exhibit excellent time management skills. Proven analytical skills and the ability to evaluate credit worthiness are needed.  Must be proficient in the use of basic office equipment with an emphasis on calculator and computer. Proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook is necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must be able to effectively access and interpret information on computer screens, documents, and reports. This position requires a large amount of time in front of a computer.  This can be done sitting or standing with use of the right desk.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position is in a private office.   

Telecommuting roles no matter if hybrid or 100% full time telecommuting must have a secure home office environment that is free from background noise and distractions. They must also have a reliable private internet connection that is not supplied by use of cellular data (hot spot). Cable or fiber connections are preferred.  Requirements are subject to change, as new systems and technology is delivered. 
 

TRAVEL

Travel may be required to come to meetings as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled/veterans.