VP, CRA Relationship Manager

Job Description:

What You’ll Accomplish:

You’ll be part of an incredible team within Synchrony that builds and maintains customer relationships that revolve around community credit needs and community development activity to meet the Bank’s CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) statutory requirements.

This is a production role and you will focus on sourcing community development loans and investments to advance Synchrony’s CRA obligations. You will structure deals and lead the underwriting process with key Synchrony stakeholders, present the deals for approval at committee, and work with appropriate team members to consummate the approved deals. You will manage multiple relationships with a focus on the production, pre-close activities, but will also coordinate with the CRA portfolio management team to ensure all of Synchrony’s obligations for those relationships are met.

Our Way of Working

We’re proud to offer you choice and flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home, near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. Occasionally you may be required to commute to our nearest office for in person engagement activities such as business or team meetings, training and culture events.

Essential Responsibilities:

Act as an Owner:

• Bring deals to Synchrony that are responsible, meaningful, and meet CRA goals which satisfy statutory bank requirements. You are the primary contact for the relationship and facilitate concise communications between Synchrony customers and internal stakeholders.  

• Lead the underwriting process with key Synchrony stakeholders and create deal presentation materials (IRD).

Relate and Inspire:

• Cultivate strong relationships of trust with team members, stakeholders, and outside community leaders, counterparties and syndicators creating an environment where people feel confident, successful, and have a strong sense of belonging.

• In coordination with the portfolio management team, conduct periodic relationship reviews and due diligence with customers/clients and stakeholders on-site or virtual.

• Ensure that all relationships under your stewardship have current and well defined summaries (storyboard, CRA allocations, highlights, etc.) as preparation for CRA exams.

Champion Synchrony:  

• Represent Synchrony for CRA purposes in the community. Deepen your relationships in the communities we serve. Support Synchrony’s CRA Officer and other CRA team members.

• Manage client relationships that often include moderate to complex deals, multiple deals, or high dollar exposure.

• Guide and negotiate deal structuring as required to achieve desired outcomes and assist more junior team members. Present deals for approval at committee meetings.

• Act with anticipation of customer needs by channeling concise communications between customers and internal stakeholders.

• Coordinate deal closing with Legal and the customer/client. Act as Synchrony signatory if and when assigned.

• Represent Synchrony on community-based boards, committees, and trade groups.

• Assist with the work activities of other production team members as needed.

• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree with 6+ years relevant professional experience, or in lieu of a degree, 9+ years of relevant experience.

• 3+ years experience with responsibilities related to the role, including: lending/investing/underwriting, business development, deal structuring, etc. with a focus on community development, commercial real estate deals or funds, low-income housing tax credit funds, and/or small business investment funds.

• Demonstrated knowledge of advanced business concepts, such as IRR and NPV analysis, financial statement analysis, etc.

• Strong communication skills (verbal, written, presentation)

• Must be able to travel as needed (typically < 15%) throughout the U.S.

Desired Qualifications:

• Have a working knowledge of bank laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to lending regulations as well as the Community Reinvestment Act and its related regulations.

• Excellent organization, prioritization and time management skills, and project management skills – tell us your secret for staying on top of things and getting projects done on time.

• Business acumen, sound judgment and problem solving – be prepared to share an experience where you solved a complex problem. We want to understand how you connect the dots.

• Ability to work with all levels across the business including senior leaders internally and with customers/syndicators – we are a family at Synchrony and all our voices matter, tell us about your special way of influencing others.

Grade/Level: 12

The salary range for this position is 110,000.00 - 185,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge.

Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be 18 years or older

• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent

• You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process

• You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

• New hires (Level 4-7) must have 9 months of continuous service with the company before they are eligible to post on other roles.  Once this new hire time in position requirement is met, the associate will have a minimum 6 months’ time in position before they can post for future non-exempt roles.  Employees, level 8 or greater, must have at least 18 months’ time in position before they can post.  All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don’t meet the time in position or performance expectations).

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.  We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

Our Commitment:

When you join us, you’ll be part of an inclusive culture where your individual skills, experience, and voice are not only heard – but valued. Together, we’re building a future where we can all belong, connect, and turn ideals into action. More than 50% of our workforce is engaged in our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where community and passion intersect to offer a safe space to learn and grow.

This starts when you choose to apply for a role at Synchrony. We ensure all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We’re proud to have an award-winning culture for all. 

Reasonable Accommodation Notice:

• Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

• If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627.   Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time

Job Family Group: