Chief Risk Officer

Everwise Credit Union•South Bend, IN

About The Position

The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) enables the Credit Union to grow faster, more safely, and with greater confidence. The CRO leads the second line of defense and oversees in-house legal functions, to include enterprise risk, general counsel’s office, credit and financial risk oversight, compliance, BSA/AML, fraud, technology and third-party risk. As a full member of the executive team, the CRO translates the Board's risk appetite into clear guardrails that accelerate good decisions and good business outcomes. This includes new products, partnerships, digital channels, and revenue growth, all while protecting member trust, capital, and regulatory standing. The CRO is both an independent voice and a strategic business partner.

Requirements

BS/BA degree in relevant field or equivalent credential/experience is required
10 or more years in risk management, compliance, or related fields, including senior leadership of a second-line function at a regulated financial institution of comparable size and complexity is required.
Strong strategic, analytical, and quantitative judgment; able to weigh risk and return and make clear recommendations.
Clear, credible communication with Boards, executives, regulators, and frontline staff, in writing, in presentations, and with data.
Proven ability to influence without authority, resolve conflict, and build trust across functions.
Skilled at selecting, developing, and coaching talent, and at leading enterprise-wide programs.
Thorough knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to credit unions, including NCUA, state, and consumer protection requirements.
Contemporary knowledge of enterprise risk management and financial-institution risk disciplines, including the capabilities expected of institutions at and above $10 billion in assets.
Hands-on fluency with modern analytics, risk technology, and AI tools.
Deep knowledge of credit union or bank regulation, including NCUA and state-level prudential supervision. Experience at FDIC-insured institutions is valued as transferable.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in risk management, business, law, public policy or equivalent credentials/experience preferred
Demonstrated commitment to professionalism and ongoing education is preferred (e.g. post-graduate executive education, risk management certifications such as FRM, PRM, CRCM, CAMS, etc.)
Experience at $10+ billion federally-insured depository, or experience crossing the Dodd-Frank threshold, is preferred.
Experience managing in-house legal counsel and experience selecting/managing outside legal counsel and similar advisors preferred.
Demonstrated breadth of knowledge and experience across credit, financial, operational, compliance, and technology risk domains.
A track record of enabling sustainable growth, such as launching products, partnerships, or digital capabilities with sound risk frameworks.
Fluency with risk data, analytics, and emerging technology, including AI tools.

Responsibilities

Partner with the CEO, CFO, and business leaders to shape strategy, bringing a risk-adjusted view of growth, pricing, and capital allocation.
Build a fast, transparent risk review process for new products, markets, and partnerships, with defined turnaround times.
Lead the Credit Union's $10 billion-ready enterprise risk management programs, building the second-line capabilities required to efficiently and effectively operate above the Dodd-Frank threshold.
Use the risk appetite framework to set clear "go zones," so the business knows where it can move quickly without escalating.
Own the enterprise risk management framework and a three-lines governance model proportionate to the Credit Union's size and complexity.
Lead development of the Board-approved risk appetite statement, then cascade it into limits, key risk indicators, and escalation triggers.
Deliver clear, forward-looking risk reporting to the executive team, Board, and Supervisory Committee.
Provide independent oversight of credit risk, including underwriting standards, portfolio concentration, and credit risk models.
Oversee interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and capital adequacy, in partnership with the CFO and ALCO.
Support and monitor capital planning and stress-testing programs that meet regulator expectations and inform strategic decisions.
Lead regulatory compliance, consumer protection (including UDAAP), and fair lending programs.
Own the BSA/AML and sanctions program, and a modern fraud strategy. The fraud strategy should address scams, synthetic identity, account takeover, and emerging AI-enabled threats while minimizing friction for members.
Oversee the in-house legal function, ensuring it is knowledgeable, responsive, business-minded, and committed to ethical, legal, and compliant business practices.
Preserve the General Counsel's independent access to the CEO, Board, and Supervisory Committee on legal matters.
Manage the selection, scope, and cost-effectiveness of outside counsel and other advisors.
Provide second-line oversight of cybersecurity, operational resilience, and business continuity.
Establish model risk management and AI risk management that enable responsible, rapid adoption of new technology across the Credit Union.
Lead third-party and partner risk management, including fintech, wholesale lending, capital markets, and critical service providers.
Invest in risk data, analytics, and automation to make risk management faster, more predictive, and less manual.
Serve as a primary executive contact for NCUA, the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, and other regulators. Build relationships characterized by transparency, credibility, and no surprises.
Serve as primary executive facilitator of relationships with industry and trade associations.
Build and develop a high-performing second-line team with a partnership mindset.
Champion a risk culture in which every employee owns risk and raises issues early.