Overview In this role you will lead the bank's de novo branch and ATM expansion, shaping where and how the network grows to support enterprise objectives. You'll work at the crossroads of strategy, finance, real estate, and operations to deliver a scalable expansion program with measurable impact. You will develop market prioritization, financial models, and go-to-market plans that enable profitable growth. This is a high-visibility role that combines strategic vision with hands-on execution and stakeholder leadership.
Compensation / Benefits- Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)
- Life insurance
- Disability coverage (short-term and long-term)
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
Responsibilities- Own the end-to-end de novo network strategy and multi-year expansion roadmap for branches and ATMs
- Identify, prioritize, and evaluate new geographies aligned with growth objectives
- Perform market, CBSA/MSA, and trade area analyses to optimize coverage and prioritization
- Monitor competitive activity and industry trends to keep strategies relevant
- Develop scalable frameworks and decision methodologies for market expansion
- Partner with Finance to build market- and site-level financial models (pro formas, ROI, IRR)
- Create CBSA-specific forecasts including demographics and market share potential
- Evaluate investment scenarios and optimize ROI with a P&L mindset
- Lead site selection of markets, trade areas, locations, and ATM placements
- Develop location evaluation frameworks and site criteria
- Recommend branch/ATM formats based on customer needs and growth potential
- Collaborate with real estate, brokers, and market leaders to secure locations
- Lead cross-functional go-to-market strategies with Retail Banking, Product, Marketing, Operations, HR, Finance, Legal
- Coordinate all activities to launch and scale new locations
- Own the de novo expansion program from strategy to post-launch review
- Establish governance, milestones, risk management, and reporting processes
- Maintain a branch opening playbook with methodologies, models, milestones, and KPI templates
- Manage timelines and budgets across concurrent launches
- Serve as primary coordinator among internal stakeholders
- Build partnerships with executive leadership, market leadership, corporate real estate, operations, and external vendors
- Present market recommendations and performance updates to executives and boards
- Travel to target markets to assess opportunities and engage stakeholders
- Measure post-launch performance against assumptions and refine methodologies
Key requirements- 10-15+ years in retail banking, network strategy, or related fields
- Experience leading or supporting de novo branch expansion, market entry, or distribution growth
- Proven market analysis, site selection, and trade area analytics expertise
- Strong financial modeling capabilities (pro formas, ROI/IRR, capital planning)
- Program and project management excellence in cross-functional initiatives
- Experience influencing senior executives and cross-functional teams
- Familiarity with real estate strategy, brokers, construction, and site development
- Bachelor's degree required
- Strategic thinking
- Executive presence and communication
- Cross-functional collaboration
- GIS and trade area analytics platforms (Esri, Placer.ai, Buxton)
- Advanced financial modeling (pro formas, ROI/IRR, profitability forecasts)
- Market analysis and site selection methodologies