Chief Credit Risk & Strategy Officer

Civista Bank; Sandusky (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Civista Bank seeks a seasoned Chief Credit Officer to lead credit risk management and governance. You will define risk strategy, oversee underwriting standards, and ensure portfolio quality while aligning with risk appetite.

You will partner with executives across Lending, Finance, Risk Management, and Compliance to drive responsible growth, CECL implementations, and strong governance. The role emphasizes leadership, regulatory interaction, and effective risk reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years in commercial banking and credit risk with senior leadership.
• Extensive knowledge of commercial lending, credit analysis, and risk management.
• Experience overseeing large, complex credit portfolios.
• Strong understanding of CECL methodologies and allowance processes.
• Experience interacting with regulators, auditors, and loan review professionals.
• Proven leadership and team development capabilities.
• Strong strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem solving.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship management.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across the organization.
• Proficiency with credit administration technologies and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the bank's credit risk strategy aligned with objectives and risk tolerance.
• Oversee loan policies, underwriting standards, approvals, and internal controls.
• Guide lending teams on credit risk management standards.
• Monitor portfolio quality, delinquencies, and charge-offs; identify emerging risks.
• Oversee credit approval processes and consistency across lending.
• Lead CECL calculations, reporting, and governance.
• Manage credit administration leadership and staff development.
• Collaborate with executive management and business lines on strategic initiatives.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and strong internal controls across lending activities.
• Support regulatory examinations and documentation.

Skills

Credit risk management

CECL

Lending portfolio

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/related field

Advanced degree preferred (MBA)

Tools

Credit software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Civista Bank seeks a seasoned Chief Credit Officer to lead credit risk management and governance. You will define risk strategy, oversee underwriting standards, and ensure portfolio quality while aligning with risk appetite.

You will partner with executives across Lending, Finance, Risk Management, and Compliance to drive responsible growth, CECL implementations, and strong governance. The role emphasizes leadership, regulatory interaction, and effective risk reporting.