Associate Director

HARBORLIGHT CREDIT UNION•Whitehall, MI

1h•Onsite

About The Position

Associate Directors play an essential role in preparing for Board of Directors’ succession. When a Director position becomes available, the Board's Nominating Committee prioritizes filling that opening with someone from the Associate Director program. Associate Directors are fully engaged in board meetings, strategic planning, and all governance activities; however, they do not have voting rights on decisions made by the Board of Directors. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This role involves establishing and upholding the credit union’s mission, vision, and core values, reviewing and monitoring strategic plans, goals, and policies, and hiring, evaluating, supporting, and replacing the CEO/Manager. Financial oversight includes approving annual budgets, major expenditures, and capital plans, reviewing financial statements, audits, and key performance indicators, and ensuring appropriate internal controls and financial safeguards. Risk and compliance responsibilities involve overseeing risk management (credit, operational, reputational), ensuring compliance with NCUA regulations, state laws, and other requirements, and reviewing examination reports. The position also focuses on acting in the best interests of the membership, supporting policies for member service, inclusion, and financial well-being, and serving as a community ambassador. Board participation includes attending and actively participating in board and committee meetings, serving on assigned committees, and engaging in ongoing board education and training. Fiduciary duties require acting in the best interests of the credit union and its members, upholding the Duty of Care (informed decisions), Duty of Loyalty (avoiding conflicts), and Duty of Obedience (adherence to laws). Associate Board members serve a term of one year.

Requirements

Commitment to the credit union philosophy and cooperative principles
Integrity, sound judgement, and confidentiality
Ability to understand financial and operational information (training provided if needed)
Willingness to devote time for meetings, preparation, and training
Commitment to participate in typical monthly board meetings
Review meeting materials in advance
Attend additional committee, training, education, or strategic planning sessions as assigned
Must be eligible to work in the U.S.
A valid state issued ID
Reliable transportation

Nice To Haves

Experience in finance, business, legal, compliance, HR, IT, or community leadership

Responsibilities

Establish and uphold the credit union’s mission, vision, and core values
Review and monitor strategic plans, goals, and policies
Hire, evaluate, support, and (if necessary) replace the CEO/Manager
Approve annual budgets, major expenditures, and capital plans
Review and understand financial statements, audits, and key performance indicators
Ensure appropriate internal controls and financial safeguards are in place
Oversee risk management, including credit, operational, and reputational risk
Ensure compliance with NCUA regulations, state laws, and other applicable requirements
Review examination reports and ensure corrective actions are taken when needed
Act in the best interests of the membership
Support policies that promote member service, inclusion, and financial well-being
Serve as an ambassador for the credit union within the community
Attend and actively participate in board and committee meetings
Serve on committees as assigned (e.g., Audit, ALCO, Governance)
Engage in ongoing board education and training
Attend educational opportunities as needed or required
Uphold Duty of Care- make informed, thoughtful decisions
Uphold Duty of Loyalty- act in the best interest of the credit union, avoiding conflicts
Uphold Duty of Obedience- ensure adherence to laws, regulations, and bylaws