Job Description

We are hiring an Associate Director & Team Lead, Commercial Renewals
Reporting To:
Senior Director
Full-Time/Part- Time:
Full-time
Posting Date:
September 23, 2025
Closing Date:
October 7, 2025
Hours of Work:
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Grade:
Office Location:
17.3
Toronto
Great location! Steps away from the main public transit station
What we offer:
Highly competitive compensation package which includes, base salary and bonus, benefits, and career advancement opportunities!
*Eligibility for benefits is dependent on the terms of employment
The Opportunity
The Associate Director will report to the Senior Director and will be overseeing our maturing Commercial Mortgages portfolio and the upcoming Renewals & Assumptions pipeline while managing a team of direct reports. The Associate Director will review and approve Renewals & Assumptions credit packages to assess risk and ensure credit worthiness and accuracy of the submission. They will ensure consistency, accuracy and team adherence to various internal and external policies and procedures. The Associate Director will manage a team of Analysts and Associate Analysts to ensure the team works together to deliver exceptional service to clients and business partners and to achieve the business goals of the Commercial department. The Associate Director will assist in the management of the day-to-day operation, problem solving and escalations. As well, they will be responsible for preparing training sessions, coaching and sharing knowledge and experience to support the skill development of the team members.
How you will contribute:

• Manages and mentors a team of Analysts, provides constructive feedback for optimal performance and growth and conducts performance reviews
• Evaluates risk and exposure to determine creditworthiness of renewing loans and proposed ownership structure changes
• Approves Renewal, Extension and Assumption credit packages and provides feedback for improvement of submissions
• Structures appropriate renewal offers with minimal risk exposure for maturing loans and identifies when a loan should be transferred to Commercial Loan Enforcement for further action
• Oversees the CMHC pipeline volumes, manages allocation of loans and ensures the integrity of data for securitization purposes and participates in weekly meetings with Capital Markets
• Manages and strengthens relationships with internal and external business partners, facilitates and attends meetings with our business partners
• Identifies and oversees the team's Key Performance Indicators to ensure each team member is accountable, meeting performance standards and achieving the highest service level possible
• Conducts performance reviews with each team member
• Assists with candidate selection, hiring, onboarding and approving application and system permissions
• Creates personalized training schedule and job shadowing for optimal training experience and talent development
• Coaches team members on evaluating risk, finding solutions and managing conflict
• Leads problem solving discussions and knowledge share with Analysts
• Ensures the team is processing renewals and assumptions accurately and in a timely manner to achieve the goals of the department
• Ensures team is following naming conventions, ensures file integrity is being maintained and ensures checklists and workflows are utilized for each file
• Authorizes money movement (refund of Good Faith Deposits, Fees owed to business partners)
• Ensures team has prepared and delivered reports to our business partners for assumptions and renewals as required
• Guides Analysts with prioritizing their workflow during times of increased volume and redistributes responsibilities if necessary
• Identifies and proposes changes/modifications to improve efficiencies to Senior Director. Introduces and implements change to the staff. Documents processes and changes to policies and procedures and ensures staff has a thorough understanding of the changes implemented
• Ensures process and procedures follow regulatory requirements
• Oversees solicitor and insurance documentation is received in a timely manner and escalates to our external business partners for further action
• Provides monthly reporting of maturity and renewal statistics for senior management
• Monitors Optimus accuracy of renewal and assumption processing
• Fosters a collaborative work environment with Funding, Servicing, Sales and Operations departments
• Completes special projects assigned by senior management and provides support to other internal departments as required

The experience you need:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Leadership skills / people management experience mandatory
• Bachelor Degree (Commerce or Economics preferred)
• 7 -10 years' experience in the commercial mortgage industry
• Experience in commercial credit analysis or risk / underwriting environment
• Auditing Skills an asset
• Proficiency using the Optimus Mortgage System
• Advanced Microsoft & Adobe computer applications
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment
• Proven organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to prioritize and multi-task

Relationships:
External Customers: Associate Directors will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with our external business partners at the management and senior management levels on an ongoing basis and proposing and presenting recommendations to improve our collaboration on transactions and create efficiencies.
Internal Customers: Associate Directors will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with department heads, sales teams, credit committee, RVPs, on a daily basis and will be responsible for approving and authorizing transaction as well as proposing and presenting recommendations to improve policies and procedures and to create a more collaborative environment.
Working Environment and Physical Demands Analysis:

• Office environment - mandatory three days in office (subject to change)
• Periods of high volume with tight timelines
• Long periods of stationary position/sitting
• Prolonged periods of repetitive movement (i.e. using a keyboard and mouse)
• Long periods of time in viewing a computer screen
• Multi-tasking may include speaking to customers on a telephone call while looking up information on a computer program.

Why join First National?

• Competitive Compensation
• Comprehensive benefits program (i.e., Health Spending Account, Maternity and Parental Leave Top Up)
• Hybrid working environment - Mandatory three days in the office (Tuesday and Wednesday + one flex day)
• Extensive training programs to set our employees up for success
• Modern office environment conducive to collaboration
• Supportive teamwork culture
• Opportunities to give back to the communities and work through events focused on a variety of charities
• Ongoing social events throughout the year

The team you'll join:
Founded in 1988, First National is one of Canada's largest non-bank lenders. We provide residential mortgages exclusively through the mortgage broker channel and we are Canada's largest commercial mortgage lender.
First National has been consistently recognized as a great place to work and we are proud that our employee engagement feedback is higher than our industry partners.
We would like to thank all applications for their interest in this existing vacancy, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
First National is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or any other category protected by law.
First National supports requests for accommodation from applicants with disabilities; please contact Human Resources at should you need an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process.
#FNLOON

Skills Required