Chief Credit Officer

Ashton North LLC; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services firm is seeking a Chief Credit Risk Officer to lead the credit risk management function, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and the organization's strategic objectives. The successful candidate will have over 10 years of experience in credit risk, particularly in evaluating large financial institutions. This role includes mentoring a credit risk team and providing pivotal insights to senior stakeholders. Ideal candidates will possess a bachelor's degree in finance or economics and an advanced degree, along with leadership capabilities in a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of credit risk experience in large institutions.
• 5+ years in senior leadership roles within credit risk management.
• Knowledge of secured and unsecured credit underwriting.

Responsibilities

• Establish and oversee credit risk management practices.
• Provide strategic vision for credit risk management.
• Chair the Credit Risk Committee and ensure effective governance.

Skills

Credit risk management

Counterparty credit analysis

Leadership

Quantitative analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or business administration

Advanced degree (MBA, MS Finance)

Tools

Financial modeling

Credit rating models

Job description

The Chief Credit Risk Officer (CCRO) is a senior enterprise risk leader responsible for overseeing the organization’s credit risk framework to ensure safety, soundness, and long‑term financial resilience. This role balances disciplined credit risk management with strategic support of the institution’s mission, growth objectives, and evolving member and counterparty landscape.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Credit Risk Leadership

• Establish and oversee credit risk management practices aligned with the organization’s risk appetite, strategic objectives, and regulatory requirements
• Provide strategic vision for credit risk, anticipating market, economic, and industry changes that may impact members, counterparties, and portfolios
• Integrate credit risk considerations into business planning, product development, and portfolio strategy

Credit Underwriting & Counterparty Risk

• Direct and oversee credit underwriting for members, investment counterparties, and other significant exposures
• Review the organization’s largest and most complex credit exposures, including analysis of financial performance, capital adequacy, liquidity, business models, and management quality
• Maintain strong oversight of secured and unsecured credit structures, including lien rights, collateral priority, and recovery considerations
• Provide second‑line oversight of collateral risk management for lending and investment activities
• Ensure effective collateral verification, eligibility standards, valuation, and sufficiency processes
• Oversee credit risk review for new collateral types, products, and other risk‑taking initiatives

Governance, Reporting & Regulatory Engagement

• Chair the Credit Risk Committee and ensure effective governance, documentation, and decision‑making
• Deliver clear, decision‑useful credit risk reporting to executive leadership, risk committees, boards, and regulators
• Translate complex credit and risk topics into actionable insights for senior stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory expectations, and sound risk management practices

Leadership & Culture

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing credit risk team through coaching, feedback, and performance management
• Foster a strong risk‑aware culture grounded in accountability, transparency, and collaboration
• Serve as a trusted partner across the organization while maintaining independent risk judgment

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business administration, or a related field
• 10+ years of credit risk experience evaluating the financial condition and performance of large institutions, including banks, thrifts, and insurance companies
• Demonstrated experience in counterparty credit analysis and collateral risk management
• 5+ years in progressively senior leadership roles within credit risk management
• Strong knowledge of secured and unsecured credit underwriting, credit policy, and risk oversight
• Deep understanding of financial institution balance sheets, products, and business models

Preferred

• Experience working within highly regulated banking or financial lending institutions
• Experience covering both depository institutions and insurance companies
• Strong understanding of regulatory examinations for financial institutions and insurance entities
• Advanced degree (MBA, MS Finance, or similar)
• Professional certifications such as FRM or CFA
• Experience with money market, mortgage, fixed income, and derivative instruments
• Familiarity with probability of default and internal credit rating models

Leadership Attributes

• Executive presence with the ability to influence at the highest levels
• Clear, confident communicator who can simplify complex concepts
• Strong analytical mindset with comfort in quantitative analysis and modelling
• Sound judgment with the courage to challenge while remaining collaborative
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Travel

Periodic travel may be required for conferences, regulatory engagement, or industry meetings, but travel is not a regular component of the role.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs and strategic priorities.