Chief Risk Officer

The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) position encompasses all enterprise risk management such as stress testing, credit performance and portfolio management. The position will be a mix of both risk and credit functions and is a senior level role reporting into the President of the Bank.
Job Responsibilities:

• Accountable for the execution and continued enhancement of the Bank's enterprise risk management framework, including its risk appetite statement, and related processes to achieve its short term and long term strategic, financial and operational goals.
• Develops a deep understanding of, and assists in informing, the Bank's business strategies and related policies, processes, and controls based upon its established risk appetite.
• Helps further the Bank's culture of risk, serving as the primary risk liaison with its Board of Directors via the Risk Committee and with the Company's executive management. Leads and provides key insights and direction to the management. Participates in various other management-level committees to provide risk-based perspectives and input.
• Develops and enhances risk management-related infrastructure, including policies, processes, procedures and documentation to continue supporting the Bank's growth and decision-making.
• Serves as a liaison with regulators in connection with risk management-related exams. Assists in responding to, and implementing, exam recommendations and findings.
• Oversees the Bank-wide risk assessment to identify and measure current and forward-looking enterprise risks.
• Monitors external environment and industry trends and practices and makes recommendations to the Company's executive management, as appropriate. Contributes to the identification of, and planning for, emerging risks.
• Develops strong partnerships with leaders of various functional areas of responsibility within the Bank to provide effective and credible challenge in assessing risk and to provide trusted practical advice and assistance in helping to support the Bank's business objectives.
• Oversees the credit approval process, as well as portfolio monitoring systems for all current and future credit products.
• Ensuring that credit policies are routinely reviewed, modified as necessary, and well-communicated throughout the organization.
• Providing overall loan portfolio management oversight to ensure that the Bank's asset quality meets stated objectives and that the emphasis of the Bank's overall credit relationship management is consistent with the Bank's underwriting standards and the Bank's risk appetite.

Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of Federal and state banking regulations pertaining to risk management, credit, auditing, regulatory reporting and compliance
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated persistence and willingness to take calculated risks
• Exceptional analytical and reasoning skills
• Willingness and ability to accept responsibility and possesses the desire and capability of motivating and directing the activities of others
• Demonstrates effective organizational and planning skills and the ability to successfully guide projects through to completion
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate strategies into risk management tactical objectives and projects
• Strong initiative and decision-making abilities, with the ability to advance the strategic planning, direction, and goal setting for the company in collaboration with senior management.
• Ability to successfully build strong working relationships and interact with associates and management at all levels of the organization
• Ability to effectively challenge management responses when necessary and resolve issues in the best interest of the company
• Ability to establish to departmental policies, practices, and procedures that have a significant impact on the organization

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Leads and manages the assigned business lines and teams

Education and/or Experience:

• BA/BS degree in Risk Management, Finance or Business.
• 15 years of financial institution management experience, focused in risk management, credit, legal, compliance and/or internal audit, with increasing responsibilities for multi-faceted direction and planning
• Minimum ten years management experience
• Experience partnering with executive management
• Experience developing and/or overseeing risk management for financial institutions with assets size exceeding $4 billion preferred

Leader Bank is looking for exceptionally dedicated team members to join one of the region's fastest growing community banks and mortgage lenders. At the time of its founding in 2002, Leader Bank had one branch office, $6.5 million in assets and 7 team members. Since then, the Bank has become one of the most successful banks in Massachusetts with $4 billion in assets, more than 400 team members, 6 branch offices, and annual mortgage originations of over $5 billion.
Exemplary products and an innovative spirit have driven Leader Bank's rapid growth over the years, and our team members embrace these values. Our mission is to obsess over our clients, make them feel valued, and maintain long-term relationships with them by constantly enhancing our products and processes to always be improving our client experience. For our team members, Leader Bank prioritizes competitive compensation and benefits, a healthy work-life balance, and an environment that fosters diversity and inclusion.