Senior Portfolio Manager - 2nd Line of Defense

Job Description

Overview: 

The Senior Portfolio Manager – 2nd Line of Defense plays a pivotal role in strengthening the organization’s risk management framework. This role is responsible for independently assessing portfolio risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and providing strategic insights to support sound credit and investment decisions. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in credit markets, asset-liability management, and regulatory frameworks, along with strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute portfolio oversight strategies across all lending and investment segments.
• Align portfolio risk assessments with the firm’s enterprise risk appetite, capital planning, and profitability goals.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on portfolio trends, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities.

Portfolio Oversight & Risk Assessment

• Independently assess the performance, risk profile, and composition of portfolios including:
  • Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Loans
  • Commercial Real Estate (CRE)
  • Leveraged and Middle Market Loans
  • Securities-Based Lending (SBL) / Margin Loans
  • Residential Mortgages
• Monitor credit quality, concentration risk, and market exposure across portfolios.
• Identify emerging risks and recommend mitigation strategies to minimize potential losses.
• Ensure all portfolio activities comply with regulatory requirements and internal risk policies.

Collaboration & Reporting

• Partner with the 1st Line of Defense to enhance risk analysis, controls, and mitigation efforts.
• Prepare and present comprehensive reports on portfolio performance, credit quality, and risk exposures to senior management and risk committees.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.

Governance & Policy Development

• Develop and maintain portfolio management policies, underwriting standards, and risk frameworks.
• Support regulatory compliance efforts, including Basel III, CCAR, and internal audit requirements.
• Contribute to firm-wide stress testing, scenario analysis, and capital adequacy assessments.

Innovation & Thought Leadership

• Champion the use of advanced analytics, AI, and digital tools in portfolio monitoring and forecasting.
• Author white papers, internal research, and policy documentation to inform strategy and enhance risk governance.
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional projects aimed at improving efficiency and standardizing risk practices.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, or a related field; advanced degree (MBA, CFA, FRM) strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in credit portfolio management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or oversight role.
• Proven expertise in credit risk management, banking regulations, and capital markets.
• Demonstrated success managing multi-billion-dollar portfolios, preferably within large financial institutions.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in risk management systems, portfolio analytics tools, and data visualization platforms.

Education

Bachelor’s: Accounting, Bachelor’s: Business Administration, Bachelor’s: Data Processing

Work Experience

Manager Experience - 6 to 10 years

Certifications

Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS) - Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS)

Travel

Less than 25%

Workstyle

Hybrid

At Raymond James our associates use five guiding behaviors (Develop, Collaborate, Decide, Deliver, Improve) to deliver on the firm's core values of client-first, integrity, independence and a conservative, long-term view. 

We expect our associates at all levels to:
•  Grow professionally and inspire others to do the same
•  Work with and through others to achieve desired outcomes
•  Make prompt, pragmatic choices and act with the client in mind
•  Take ownership and hold themselves and others accountable for delivering results that matter
•  Contribute to the continuous evolution of the firm

At Raymond James – as part of our people-first culture, we honor, value, and respect the uniqueness, experiences, and backgrounds of all of our Associates.  When associates bring their best authentic selves, our organization, clients,