Director of Community Lending - Red Bank, NJ

ABOUT YOUR ROLE:
The Director of Community Lending will be responsible for overseeing the development of OceanFirst's mortgage lending in majority-Black, Hispanic, and Asian census tracts ("minority areas") in Middlesex County, Monmouth County, and Ocean County, New Jersey and in low- to moderate-income geographies and to low- to moderate-income borrowers, focused on fair lending and Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") objectives. This role involves building relationships within the community and with community groups, encouraging lending within minority and low- to moderate-income areas, promoting financial education and counslining, and helping to ensure equitable access to mortgage financing.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:
* Develop and implement strategies to build relationships with community organizations, local businesses, and residents of minority and low- to moderate-income areas to promote mortgage products and services. Encourage and develop mortgage lending within the targeted communitieswhich support the Bank's fair lending and CRA programs. Forge partnerships with local non-profits, housing authorities, government agencies and other stakeholders to enhance lending opportunities, educational opportunities, and access to mortgage credit in minority and low- to moderate-income areas.
* Design and execute outreach initiatives tailored to the needs of diverse communities, including workshops, seminars, and informational sessions about mortgage lending. Promote financial education and counseling to residents. Coordinate the Bank's involvement in community lending initiatives and outreach programs within the community.
* Conduct research to identify the specific residential mortgage credit needs and preferences of minority and low- to moderate-income markets. Evaluate identified needs and support adjusting lending strategies accordingly. Monitor loan officers' solicitation and origination of loans within minority markets, including use of a loan subsidy fund.
* Collaborate with product development teams to create mortgage products that are accessible and beneficial for minority and low- to moderate-income markets.
* Lead and mentor a team of community lending specialists, provide training on lending practices and customer service to help meet community needs.
* Partner with Mortgage Risk and Control to implement and administer all aspects of OceanFirst's compliance with a fair lending consent order and conciliation agreement focused on increasing community lending opportunities.
* Establish and monitor performance metrics for community lending initiatives, reporting regularly on progress and outcomes.
* Serve as an advocate for equitable lending practices and policies that benefit underserved communities.

WHAT WE EXPECT OF YOU:
* Demonstrated knowledge of the mortgage industry, products, lending practices, loan programs, underwriting requirements, and regulatory guidelines, including CRA related, government mortgage loan products (FHA, VA, etc.), and other products that help advance home lending opportunities to low-to-moderate income borrowers and in low-to-moderate income and minority neighborhoods.
* Demonstrated ability to analyze complex situations and solve problems and/or design recommendations to accomplish business and tactical goals.
* Proven leadership ability and demonstrated success in building an effective, productive team.
* Established network of community-based organizations, municipalities, and agencies whose primary focus is affordable housing and first-time home buyer education. Demonstrated ability to advance lending strategies by developing partnerships with community-based and governmental organizations that provide the residents of minority and low- to moderate-income areas with services related to mortgage credit, financial education, homeownership, and foreclosure prevention.
* Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.