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VP, Portfolio Manager - CRE

BMO · Milwaukee, WI · $90,000–$180,000 a year · Full time

Posted Oct 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a large CRE deal you structured. What made it work?

What they are checking: Whether they have real experience creating solutions on complex deals.

How do you manage and develop the analysts on your team?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead team workflow and grow analysts' skills.

What would you do

A sponsor's property misses its debt service covenant. What do you do next?

What they are checking: Whether they respond with analysis, sponsor talks and the right risk rating change.

How do you split responsibility with the relationship manager on a new deal?

What they are checking: Whether they work as a true partner while protecting the bank's interests.

How would you explain your credit view to a client who does not like your loan terms?

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate clearly with clients and preserve the relationship.

About the work

Walk me through how you underwrite a CRE loan over $30 million on an investor-owned property in another market.

What they are checking: Whether they can analyze large deals nationally with sound market and property judgment.

What covenants do you usually set on a large CRE loan, and how do you monitor them?

What they are checking: Whether they understand debt service, loan-to-value and reporting covenants in practice.

How do you assess a sponsor's strength and track record?

What they are checking: Whether they look beyond the property to the sponsor's liquidity, experience and history.

How do you keep reviews and renewals on time across a large portfolio?

What they are checking: Whether they manage workflow so nothing goes past due.

What property types or markets concern you most right now, and why?

What they are checking: Whether they follow CRE market risks like office, rate pressure and refinancing.

How do you prepare a credit memo for a large loan so it gets approved efficiently?

What they are checking: Whether they write clear, complete credit analysis that addresses key risks.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by BMO.

Application Deadline: 10/29/2026 Address: 790 N Water Street Job Family Group: Commercial Sales & Service The Portfolio Manager is jointly responsible with the Relationship Manager to meet customer expectations on new Commercial Real Estate loan requests, while also protecting the Bank, and for effectively interacting with clients to enhance their relationship with the Bank. The Portfolio Manager is also responsible for overseeing ongoing monitoring of client portfolio performance, ensuring that all reviews and renewals of Commercial Real Estate loans are completed on a timely basis, and is responsible for interim monitoring of covenants and other conditions of credit. The loan size is typically greater than $30 Million. This role is a key player on deal teams, collaborating and generating solutions to current and perspective clients within Commercial Real Estate. The role is responsible for making credit decisions in accordance with sound credit-granting principles and in compliance with Bank Policy & Procedures. A. Credit Assessment (40%) B. Client Performance Management (30%) C. Sales Support and Partnership (20%) D. Management of Team and Team Workflow (10%) A. Credit Assessment & Risk Management • Analyze investor owned properties and markets across the nation in order to evaluate ability to repay, assess credit risk, and confirm collateral property valuations. • Collaborate with Relationship Managers to generate ideas, identify client solutions, pursue marketing efforts, cover clients, and deliver timely solutions. • Actively manage client solution opportunities within portfolios. • Operate as key member of the deal team and coordinate preparation of lending proposals and pitches to prospective clients with efforts to maximize penetration and returns. • Institute cross-selling initiatives to increase ranking with client. • Provide deal structuring expertise. • Negotiate transactions and loan documentation with clients. • Manage a portfolio of Commercial Real Estate loans, including completion of annual reviews, renewals, modifications, and other interim monitoring. • Complete site inspections of investor owned properties in assigned portfolio at origination and on an annual basis thereafter. • Maintain awareness of all Bank products and services offered and facilitate means of receiving continuous updates. • Ensure credit decisions and recommendations are in accordance with sound credit-granting principles and in compliance with the Bank’s policies and related procedures. • Protect the Bank’s assets and maintain quality of portfolio by adhering to lending processes, policies & procedures, legal and ethical requirements and regulations, audit requirements, and established risk management guidelines. Ensure all Commercial Real Estate Business is in conformity with Bank Policies and other guidelines. • Exercise individually held unilateral discretionary limits, as well as any held prescribed approval discretionary limits, as authorized under Lending Policy. • Adhere to Know Your Customer Rules and Bank Policies & Procedures for the prevention of loss due to fraud, counterfeiting, money laundering, or defalcation; identify and report suspicious and other reportable transactions or patterns of activity that are suspected to be related to money laundering. B. Client Performance Management • Prepare/oversee preparation of concise, well-reasoned credit correspondence. • Ensure that loan renewals, reviews and monitoring are completed in a timely fashion to avoid any administrative past dues. • Ensure that new loan requests are completed in a timely fashion to meet customer expectations and deadlines. • Obtain credit concurrence as client advocate. • Responsible for monitoring covenants of clients within assigned portfolio to identify deteriorating credit conditions and compliance with loan agreement. • Oversee documentation and ongoing monitoring of asset and client performance. • Actively manage portfolio to maximize return and credit quality. • Monitor high risk loans via established procedures, with transfers to Special Assets Monitoring Unit as appropriate. C. Sales Support and Partnerships • Maintain key ongoing contact with lending clients in conjunction with Relationship Managers. • Work with specialists as needed to support cross-sell opportunities. • Maintain and promote a customer service environment, to include satisfying and exceeding customer needs and expectations. • Increase share of wallet with customer by identifying cross-sell opportunities or enhance existing services by recommending credit, deposit, cash management, etc. D. Management of Workflow • Effectively manage workflow by aligning tasks with departmental goals and objectives. • Lead team to success by capturing opportunities for ongoing mentoring, coaching, and career development of analysts and associates. Knowledge • An undergraduate degree, with focal areas of Commercial Real Estate, Finance, Economics, or Accounting preferred. • 7-10 years of proven experience (in-depth knowledge) in analysis, structuring, and negotiating Commercial Real Estate lending transactions for all investor owned property types, including loan documentation, loan closing, and construction draw administration. • Minimum of 10 years in financial services industry experience in a corporate lending environment developing business. • Commercial Credit Qualification with Limits. • In-depth understanding of Commercial Real Estate Products, Commercial Real Estate Lending Process, Commercial Lending Directives, all supporting processes and technology. • In-depth knowledge of the organizational lending and portfolio management policies and objectives. • Formal credit training and prior lending authority. • Working knowledge of the organizational lending and portfolio management policies and objectives. • Working knowledge and ability to execute Risk Management practices and strategies. Skills • Highly developed (in-depth) written and oral communication skills including the ability to write clear, concise and cogent credit correspondence. • Exceptional (in-depth) analytical skills. • Expertise in financial computer applications and database management tools including MS Excel. Strong proficiency in other Microsoft Office products and the Internet. • Strong interpersonal skills used within a team environment and in client interaction with emphasis on excelling in relationship building. • Excellent abilities in business development and cross-selling success. • Ability to advocate persuasively (in-depth level). • Ability to work under limited supervision. Salary : $90,000.00 - $180,000.00 Pay Type: Salaried The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type. Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position. BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards About Us At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world. As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset. To find out more visit us at http://jobs.bmo.com/us/en BMO is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. We also consider applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. BMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to BMOCareers.Support@bmo.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.

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