Network Planning Manager

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Position Summary

The Network Planning Manager leads the strategy and execution for optimizing the retail branch and ATM network for Simmons Bank. This role ensures the bank’s physical footprint is aligned with growth opportunities, client demand, and market potential to maximize profitability and customer acquisition.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a multi-year retail network strategy (branches and ATM).

• Analyze market data, customer demographics, and performance trends to identify expansion, relocation, consolidation, and infill opportunities.

• Partner with Finance, Retail, and Strategy teams to evaluate ROI and business cases for network changes. 

• Lead site selection, relocation planning, and optimization initiatives.

• Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiency within the existing network.

• Monitor branch and ATM performance metrics to inform strategic decisions.

• Support transformation efforts toward a sales and relationship-focused retail model.

• Ensure alignment between network strategy and small business and deposit growth priorities.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Skills

  • Strong strategic and financial acumen with ability to evaluate ROI and long-term investments.

  • Experience analyzing market data, demographics, and location performance.

  • Ability to synthesize complex data into clear network strategies.

  • Strong project management skills with ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.

  • Comfort operating in ambiguous, high-impact decision environments.

• Technical/Computer Skills 

  • Advanced Excel and financial modeling (NPV, IRR, break-even analysis).

  • Geographic and market analysis tools (GIS or similar tools preferred).

  • Data visualization tools (Power BI preferred).

  • Business case development and executive presentation skills.

• Education and/or Experience 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or related field

  • 5-8 years of experience in strategy, finance, consulting, retail banking, or network planning.

  • Experience with branch or retail network optimization strongly preferred

  • Experience working with capital planning or investment prioritization

• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

  • CFA, CPA, or MBA- a plus but not required

  • Experience with GIS platforms or location analytics tools- preferred

• Other Qualifications (including physical requirements)

  • Strategic thinking and decision making skills

  • Executive communication and storytelling

  • Cross-functional collaboration (Finance, Retail, Strategy, Real Estate)

  • Influencing without authority

Other

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Activities, duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.    

Skills Training:

• Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Systems Analysis,

• Communication, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Project Management

Equal Employment Opportunity Information: Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries are committed to a policy of equal employment with respect to a person's race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, covered veterans, military status, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected classifications.