Deputy, Chief Operating Officer

Lafayette Federal Credit Union • Rockville, MD

1d • $170,000 - $220,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Lafayette Federal Credit Union is seeking a Deputy to serve as a strategic leadership partner to the Chief Operating Officer, helping drive organizational performance, operational excellence, and enterprise-wide execution. This role plays a critical part in advancing the Credit Union’s strategic priorities by leading high-impact initiatives, coordinating cross-functional efforts, and ensuring operational readiness across key business areas. Acting as an extension of the COO, the Deputy, COO provides executive-level leadership, oversight, and decision-making support while fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization. This position is responsible for translating strategy into execution, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and supporting sustainable growth. The ideal candidate is an influential leader with broad operational expertise, strong business acumen, and a demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives while building the capabilities necessary for future executive leadership opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Management, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive leadership experience within financial services, banking, or credit unions.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple operational disciplines including lending, servicing, branch operations, facilities, information technology, project management, and strategic initiatives.
• Proven track record managing large-scale projects, regulatory examinations, organizational growth initiatives, and executive-level priorities.
• Experience presenting to executive leadership teams, Board committees, or Boards of Directors.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, financial management, operational performance metrics, and resource allocation.
• Exceptional leadership presence, communication skills, organizational capabilities, and strategic thinking ability.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day functions across risk management, mortgage and consumer lending, servicing, business services, information technology, project management, business development, and branch operations/facilities.
• Act as a strategic deputy with authority to make decisions and act on behalf of the COO when required.
• Partner with executive leadership to identify operational efficiencies, improve organizational effectiveness, and eliminate process bottlenecks.
• Participate in annual operating budget development, workforce planning, capital expenditure reviews, and resource allocation decisions across operational departments.
• Review operational performance metrics and ensure accountability for achieving strategic and departmental objectives.
• Support vendor governance activities, including contract review, operational due diligence, service level monitoring, and third-party risk management within delegated authority.
• Assist in developing and mentoring leaders across COO reporting divisions to strengthen organizational depth and succession readiness.
• Provide leadership and oversight for all current and future space planning initiatives, including facility renovations, workplace redesigns, and new branch site development. Responsibilities include coordinating with internal stakeholders, managing vendor relationships, and engaging real estate brokers to evaluate, negotiate, and secure optimal branch and office locations.
• Oversee the full administrative lifecycle of branch real estate transactions, from initial site identification through contract execution and post-closing requirements. Responsibilities include managing due diligence documentation, monitoring transaction timelines, coordinating legal and broker communications, and ensuring all internal and external stakeholders are aligned.
• Lead enterprise-wide strategic initiatives, mergers, organizational transformations, operational improvement projects, and cross-functional programs as assigned by the COO or President/CEO.
• Partner with the PMO to ensure strategic initiatives remain aligned with organizational priorities, approved budgets, and implementation timelines.
• Develop executive-level reporting and dashboards to provide visibility into project progress, risks, dependencies, and organizational capacity.
• Support branch expansion efforts and future growth initiatives through disciplined project governance and execution oversight.
• Serve as a critical partner to the COO in managing all aspects of NCUA examinations. This includes orchestrating exam logistics, ensuring agendas and records are meticulously prepared, documenting discussions, and ensuring verbal agreements are formally codified.
• Secure, review, vet, and coordinate requested documentation prior to submission to regulators, auditors, and examiners.
• Coordinate with senior leaders to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of all regulatory deliverables.
• Maintain enterprise readiness for examinations through ongoing monitoring of corrective actions, audit findings, and regulatory commitments.
• Assist in developing enterprise governance processes that strengthen regulatory compliance, operational controls, and examiner confidence.
• Serve as a liaison among executive leadership, internal audit, compliance, legal counsel, and regulators to facilitate proactive issue resolution.
• Act as a conduit between the COO and President/CEO on operational requests, project reporting, strategic initiatives, and executive priorities.
• Prepare executive-level presentations, operational updates, business cases, and Board materials for executive leadership and Board of Directors meetings.
• Present operational initiatives, strategic projects, and organizational performance updates to executive committees and the Board as assigned.
• Participate in enterprise strategic planning activities and assist in translating strategic objectives into actionable operational plans.
• Support merger evaluations, due diligence efforts, integration planning, and organizational growth initiatives.
• Participate in succession planning by progressively assuming broader executive responsibilities and preparing for advancement in operational leadership.
• Serve as acting COO during periods of absence or as delegated by the COO.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of all operational functions to ensure continuity of leadership and organizational stability.

Benefits

• Employer paid (99.9%) health insurance premium for single and family coverage (HMO Plan)
• Fully funded deductible (HMO Plan)
• 401k employer matching contribution
• Income protection with life insurance, short and long-term disability
• Paid time off, holiday leave & birthday leave
• Educational assistance
• Commuter benefits program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior