Branch Banking Area Manager - Northwest Washington

Bellingham, WA, US

Base Salary Range 

 $100,884.00 - $126,105.00 - $151,326.00 annual

At Heritage Bank, we work hard, but also know how important it is to take time off to stay healthy, relax, and spend time doing what makes your heart happy!

As part of our team you’ll enjoy a total rewards package, which includes base salary based on the role, experience, and skill set, along with an exceptional benefits package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), community volunteer time), and generous time off policy. Full-time team members receive a minimum of 10 paid vacation days annually* and eight hours of paid sick leave per month*, while also enjoying 11 paid holidays each calendar year, and an annual float day. *pro-rated from start date, and/or hours worked. To view Benefits Summary: Apply > Current Openings > position > attachment.

Position Overview

Heritage Bank currently has an exciting opportunity to join our organization! The Branch Banking Area Manager is responsible for the overall profitability and goal achievement of a multi-branch community by directing and executing sales and business development activities, meeting operational objectives, managing employee development and engagement through consistent coaching and performance management in accordance with the Heritage Bank Mission, Vision, and Values.  This position is also responsible for building the Bank's presence in the communities served by assigned branches through prospecting and relationship development as well as active community involvement.

This position's home base will be the NW Ave Branch in Bellingham, WA. 

The successful candidate: 

  • Is responsible for overseeing and managing a retail branch and assigned multi – site branch community to ensure that established production goals for deposits, fee income, loan production and other corporate goals, as assigned, are met or exceeded and customer service is conducted in accordance with the Heritage Bank Service Standards.
  • Leads and manages sales for the branch including mentoring and training branch staff in using standard relationship selling techniques to grow existing relationships and gain new customer relationships. Proactively execute and lead business development efforts. Build and maintain professional working relationships with all lines of business to ensure customer relationship building is taking place through cross selling efforts and referrals.
  • Proactively assists with small business development efforts within branch community. Become familiar with the top customers and actively participate in joint calls with branch staff or other sales staff.
  • Develops, implements and monitors the annual and quarterly business plans, including sales goals, income, and expense strategies to ensure maximum profitability and effectiveness for branch and assigned banking community. May assist with the district’s annual budgeting process. Provide leadership in communicating the bank’s overall strategy.
  • Establishes effective working relationships with all assigned managers, developing and implementing individualized coaching and mentoring plans to ensure overall success with all business objectives.
  • Develops skills of team through goal-setting, coaching, problem resolution, delegation, training, counseling, and performance management.
  • Actively leads and trains staff to ensure assigned branches consistently adhere to all regulatory compliance standards, internal operational and credit controls and follow all operating policies and procedures.  Ensure audit, security and compliance issues and/or concerns are addressed and resolved in a timely manner.  Act as a liaison between branches and support departments.
  • Conducts branch community sales meetings to drive results, increase team motivation and ensure compliance with rules and regulations. Actively participates in monthly and/or quarterly branch training and coaching meetings, within assigned branch community, to ensure consistent and effective communication amongst all branch personnel.
  • Resolves escalated customer questions and/or concerns in a timely manner to maintain optimal branch performance in service quality, accuracy, efficiency, and manage risk prudently.
  • Makes and approves policy and procedure exceptions within assigned limits. Reviews and authorizes transactions or decisions requiring a higher level of authority for approval within the branch community.
  • Serves on a variety of committees to consider or implement initiatives that support the branch network. Acts as liaison between branch management, senior management and other business units.
  • Works collaboratively with Retail Management and Human Resources to recommend staffing levels and approve personnel actions such as hiring, terminations, promotions, transfers, timely performance reviews and salary increases, in accordance with legal and acceptable Bank personnel practices.
  • Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of operational policies and procedures, thorough knowledge of branch operations and consumer and small business lending., and in-depth knowledge of all Bank’s products and services. Ensures successful implementation of marketing and promotional programs in the branch community.
  • Represents the Bank in the local community through involvement in professional organizations, activities, and by attending civic and community group meetings and events.
  • Monitors the physical appearance and condition of home branch and reports needed improvements to the Facilities Department.
  • Maintains proficient knowledge of, and ensures bank activities are performed in compliance with, all state and federal banking laws and regulations applicable to areas of responsibility.
  • Ensures Bank activities are performed in compliance with the Bank’s Policies and Standards, in partnership with Enterprise Risk Management and other internal banking partners.

Requirements: 

  • 5 years recent community banking and financial service industry experience in a management/leadership role, plus a minimum of 2 years successfully managing multiple retail branch locations - required. 
  • Effective relationship management and business development skills to manage key commercial, small business and personal relationships - required
  • High School diploma or equivalent - required. Associates degree or higher in Business, Accounting and/or Finance – preferred. 
  • Equivalent combination of education, experience, and training may be considered. 
  • Proven ability to provide professional, responsive customer service; with strong customer service delivery, sales, business development and relationship selling skills.
  • Strong listening, verbal, written, and telephone etiquette business communication skills, including effective questioning strategies and presentation skills; with the ability to read, write, speak, and understand English well.
  • Strong leadership and managerial skills are required to manage, motivate, and develop teams, to include oversight and management of multiple branch locations managing significant deposit and customer base(s). Employee development, performance management, training and employee counseling skills required.
  • Ability to develop and manage income and expense budget(s).
  • Advanced knowledge of all retail job functions, paying/receiving, operations, branch certifications and in-depth working knowledge of all retail products and services, consumer and small business lending, account and legal documentation.
  • Thoroughly understands and applies principles, procedures, compliance requirements, state/federal regulations, and policies related to assigned area of oversight.
  • Proven and consistent sales and business development skills with the ability to identify customer needs and cross-sell the Bank’s products and services with confidence.
  • Strategic approach to problem solving and decision-making, with demonstrated ability to quickly focus on key issues and independently make decisions under pressure of time constraints.
  • Strong analytical reasoning, attention to detail, organizational, data review and time management skills, with the ability to accurately manage multiple assignments, goals, reporting requests and staffing schedules, ensuring priorities are set and commitments and deadlines are met, with minimal direction and supervision.
  • Unquestionable integrity in handling sensitive and confidential information required.
  • Proficient PC experience using MS Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook) and working knowledge of financial services industry core processing and automated banking systems, i.e., Fiserv or equivalent, with the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies quickly.
  • This position may require National Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) registration under the terms of the SAFE Act of 2008. Continued employment in this position with Heritage Bank is contingent upon successful registration and annual re-registration thereafter. 

Working Environment/Conditions: 

  • Climate controlled office environment. 
  • Work involves being able to concentrate on the matter at hand, under sometimes distracting work conditions and frequent employee and/or customer contacts and interruptions during the day.
  • Work requires regular attendance, punctuality and adherence to agreed-upon schedule(s) with willingness to work a flexible and/or rotating schedule, and/or extended hours, with availability to respond to after hours and weekend calls, as needed and/or assigned.   
  • May be exposed to potential risk and hazards associated with criminal activity (e.g., robbery and/or attempted robbery, fraud, security) - receives detailed instruction to minimize risk.

Physical Demands/Effort: 

  • Work may involve the constant use of computer screens, reading of reports, and sitting throughout the day.
  • Ability to operate a computer keyboard, multi-line telephone, photocopier, scanner, facsimile, fine count cash and operate a cash counter which often requires dexterity of hands and fingers with repetitive wrist and hand motion.
  • Occasional lifting to independently move and/or push cart to transport money and coin, 25-50 lbs.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not an exclusive list of all qualifications for this position. 


 Heritage Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by applicable law. 

Job applicants have certain legal rights. Please click here for information regarding these rights. 

If you need assistance completing the online application, please email: HBRecruiting@HeritageBankNW.com 

Salary Range Disclaimer

The base salary range represents the min, mid and max of Heritage Bank’s salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, experience, and job performance. The range listed is just one component of Heritage Bank’s total compensation package for full time and part time employees. Depending on position, other total compensation rewards may include, monthly, quarterly or annual incentive, and/or bonuses. 


##JobCategory:Retail Banking##

##Street:920 West Bakerview RD##

##City:Bellingham##

##State:WA##

##ZipCode:98226##

##Internal:false##

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