Chief Credit Officer (CCO)

Western AgCredit•South Jordan, UT

About The Position

The SVP – Chief Credit Officer (CCO) provides strategic leadership for Western AgCredit's lending and credit functions, with responsibility for profitable portfolio growth, strong borrower relationships, and exceptional customer service, while achieving sound credit quality and administration. The CCO oversees loan origination and servicing, credit underwriting, capital markets, portfolio management, and business development. Responsible to hire, develop, and retain a high-performing credit and lending staff. Implements effective lending policies, credit processes, risk management, portfolio performance, and staff development while supporting safe, sound, and constructive lending. The CCO also serves as a member of the executive leadership team responsible for developing and executing the Association's business strategies and objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Business, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Accounting, Marketing, or a related field.
Minimum of 10 years of progressive lending experience, including significant experience in commercial and/or agricultural lending.
At least 7 years of leadership or management experience.
Demonstrated success leading lending teams, driving business growth, managing portfolio quality, and implementing strategic initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives and influence outcomes across departments.
Proven leadership, relationship-building, communication, and decision-making skills with the ability to develop high-performing teams.
Expert knowledge of agricultural finance, commercial lending practices, credit analysis, loan structuring, and portfolio management.
Excellent communication, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Passion for serving agriculture and a strong understanding of the production agriculture industries and communities served by the Association.

Responsibilities

Lead the Association's commercial, mortgage, correspondent, and direct lending strategy and credit administration, including loan origination, servicing, portfolio management, capital markets, and special assets, to achieve profitable loan growth, strong borrower relationships, sound credit quality, and compliance with Farm Credit Administration regulations and Board-approved policies.
Protect and enhance the Association's financial health and portfolio earnings through effective loan structuring, pricing, servicing, credit controls, and risk management practices, while providing direction and support to lending leaders and branch staff.
Oversee customer relationship management of the direct loan portfolio, including balanced portfolio assignments and effective use of lending and credit staff.
Develop and maintain portfolio monitoring and reporting tools that provide the President/CEO, Board of Directors, Farm Credit Administration, stockholders, and other stakeholders with timely and accurate assessments of portfolio condition, credit quality, and emerging risk.
Evaluate competitor intelligence and pricing programs and recommend strategies for individual loans and broader portfolio initiatives.
Oversee the Association's Young, Beginning, and Small Farmer and AgStart programs, credit staff marketing efforts, and credit-related business development initiatives.
Provide credit-related documentation, input, and analysis for the Annual Report, allowance for credit losses decisions, distressed loan and special assets strategies, and territorial concurrences and notices.
Serve on Association loan committees and approve loans within delegated authority.
Serve as the primary liaison with CoBank, other Farm Credit associations, internal and external auditors, and the Farm Credit Administration on credit matters.
Report credit performance to the executive leadership team and Board of Directors and help identify, develop, and implement strategic directives.
Represent the Association in community, agricultural industry, and Farm Credit System meetings and events.
Lead, hire, train, supervise, coach, and develop lending, credit, technical, and support staff capable of carrying out the Association's mission and credit responsibilities.
Administer human resources activities for direct reports, including staffing plans, salary recommendations, hiring, and performance reviews.
Establish clear performance expectations, provide ongoing feedback, and promote accountability, collaboration, sound decision-making, and professional development throughout the lending and credit teams.
Establish and maintain monitoring tools that provide timely and accurate information regarding staffing, budgets, workflow, productivity, and other key performance indicators.
Contribute as an active member of the executive leadership team by helping develop and execute organizational strategies, strategic directives, and key business decisions.
Provide strategic oversight of lending and credit operations and regularly evaluate programs, services, and products to ensure efficient delivery, consistent practices, strong internal controls, and excellent member-borrower service.
Oversee customer relationship and workflow management platforms used to monitor lending activity, business development, staffing, and key operations, while supporting execution of the Annual Business Plan.
Lead the development and continuous improvement of credit procedures and recommend policy revisions that strengthen credit administration, regulatory compliance, and organizational effectiveness.
Assume other responsibilities as assigned by the President/CEO.