Chief Operating Officer/Chief Risk Officer

RockBridge Search & Recruitment; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

RockBridge Search & Recruitment in Irvine, CA seeks an experienced banking executive to lead as COO/CRO. You will manage operational performance and enterprise risk, shaping governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic growth for a high-performing financial institution.

The role combines operations leadership with risk management, demanding collaboration across lending, credit, finance, and compliance. Applicants should bring 10+ years in banking leadership and a track record of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• Advanced degree or professional designation preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive banking leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operational performance while directing the bank's enterprise risk management framework.
• Develop and execute strategic operational initiatives aligned with organizational objectives.
• Drive efficiency, scalability, and process improvement across all business units.
• Lead operational planning, resource allocation, and performance management initiatives.
• Enhance customer experience through streamlined workflows and innovative service delivery.
• Oversee operational infrastructure, vendor management, and technology implementation efforts.
• Foster collaboration between lending, credit, finance, compliance, and retail banking teams.
• Direct enterprise-wide risk management programs including credit, operational, liquidity, compliance, strategic, and reputational risk.
• Maintain and enhance risk governance frameworks and reporting structures.
• Present risk assessments and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state banking regulations.
• Monitor emerging industry trends, economic conditions, and regulatory developments.
• Lead internal audit coordination, examination preparation, and regulatory relationships.
• Partner with executive leadership to establish and execute long-term growth strategies.
• Evaluate organizational performance through data-driven decision making.
• Champion a culture of accountability, risk awareness, and operational excellence.
• Identify opportunities for innovation while maintaining prudent risk controls.
• Mentor and develop leadership teams across multiple departments.

Skills

Banking leadership

Operations leadership

Risk management

Regulatory knowledge

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Business/ Economics

Advanced degree or professional designation

Job description

Ref #: 44

Location: S. California

Sector: Banking

Type: Permanent

???? Irvine, California
???? $200,000+ Base Salary | Executive Leadership Opportunity

Lead the Engine. Guard the Future.

In the heart of Irvine's thriving financial landscape, an exceptional opportunity awaits a strategic banking executive who understands that sustainable growth requires both operational excellence and disciplined risk management. This dual-hatted COO/CRO role sits at the crossroads of execution and strategy, balancing innovation with sound governance while helping shape the future of a high-performing financial institution.

This is more than an executive position. It is an opportunity to influence culture, strengthen infrastructure, guide enterprise risk, and ensure the organization remains agile, compliant, and positioned for long-term success.

If you are energized by complex challenges, inspired by leadership, and passionate about building institutions that thrive through both opportunity and uncertainty, this role offers a seat at the table where the most important decisions are made.

What You'll Do

As COO/CRO, you will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, overseeing operational performance while directing the bank's enterprise risk management framework.

Operational Leadership

• Develop and execute strategic operational initiatives aligned with organizational objectives.
• Drive efficiency, scalability, and process improvement across all business units.
• Lead operational planning, resource allocation, and performance management initiatives.
• Enhance customer experience through streamlined workflows and innovative service delivery.
• Oversee operational infrastructure, vendor management, and technology implementation efforts.
• Foster collaboration between lending, credit, finance, compliance, and retail banking teams.
• Direct enterprise-wide risk management programs including credit, operational, liquidity, compliance, strategic, and reputational risk.
• Maintain and enhance risk governance frameworks and reporting structures.
• Present risk assessments and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state banking regulations.
• Monitor emerging industry trends, economic conditions, and regulatory developments.
• Lead internal audit coordination, examination preparation, and regulatory relationships.

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with executive leadership to establish and execute long-term growth strategies.
• Evaluate organizational performance through data-driven decision making.
• Champion a culture of accountability, risk awareness, and operational excellence.
• Identify opportunities for innovation while maintaining prudent risk controls.
• Mentor and develop leadership teams across multiple departments.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• Advanced degree or professional designation preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive banking leadership experience.
• Significant experience in operations, enterprise risk management, credit administration, or executive banking leadership.
• Deep knowledge of banking regulations, compliance requirements, and risk management best practices.
• Proven success leading cross-functional teams and organizational transformation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of balance sheet management, credit risk, operational risk, and regulatory expectations.
• Exceptional communication and board presentation skills.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to translate vision into measurable results.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This role offers the rare opportunity to influence both the operational heartbeat and risk architecture of a growing financial institution. You'll work alongside senior executives and board leadership to build a stronger, more resilient organization while creating meaningful impact across every corner of the bank.

You'll join a team that values thoughtful leadership, calculated decision-making, and the kind of executive presence that inspires confidence from employees, customers, regulators, and stakeholders alike.

For the right leader, this is not simply the next career move. It's an opportunity to leave a lasting imprint on an institution poised for continued growth and success.

Location: Irvine, CA
Compensation: Starting at $200,000+ DOE
Industry: Banking & Financial Services
Position: Chief Operating Officer / Chief Risk Officer (COO/CRO) Executive Leadership Role