Chief Risk Officer

Everwise Credit Union; South Bend, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Everwise Credit Union is seeking a Chief Risk Officer to lead the second line of defense and oversee enterprise risk, compliance, and in-house legal functions. The CRO will align risk appetite with strategic growth, manage regulatory relationships, and drive AI-enabled risk strategies while protecting member trust and capital.

The role reports to the CEO and interfaces with the Board and Supervisory Committee, contributing to risk-aware growth, product governance, and third-party risk oversight.

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree or equivalent required; graduate degree preferred.
• 10+ years in risk management, compliance, or related fields at a regulated financial institution.
• Experience leading a second-line function and managing in-house legal counsel desirable.

Responsibilities

• Enable profitable, member-centric growth with risk-adjusted decisions.
• Lead enterprise risk management and three-lines governance aligned to size and complexity.
• Oversee credit, liquidity, and capital adequacy in partnership with CFO/ALCO.
• Drive regulatory compliance, BSA/AML, and fraud strategies with AI risk awareness.

Skills

Enterprise risk management

Board communications

Regulatory knowledge

AI risk management

Leadership

Education

BS/BA degree or equivalent

Graduate degree in risk management/business/law/public policy

Tools

Risk analytics software

Job description

## Chief Risk OfficerApply: Hybrid: South Bend, Indiana 46601 - Corporate: Carmel, Indiana 46032 - Meridian Mark II: Full time: Posted Today: R-100664**Job Description:****Position Summary***Reports to the CEO, with direct access to and regular reporting to the Board and Supervisory Committee.*The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) enables the Credit Union to grow faster, more safely, and with greater confidence. The CRO leads the second line of defense and oversees in-house legal functions, to include enterprise risk, general counsel’s office, credit and financial risk oversight, compliance, BSA/AML, fraud, technology and third-party risk. As a full member of the executive team, the CRO translates the Board's risk appetite into clear guardrails that accelerate good decisions and good business outcomes. This includes new products, partnerships, digital channels, and revenue growth, all while protecting member trust, capital, and regulatory standing. The CRO is both an independent voice and a strategic business partner.**Primary Responsibilities and Duties***Enable profitable, member-centric growth*· Partner with the CEO, CFO, and business leaders to shape strategy, bringing a risk-adjusted view of growth, pricing, and capital allocation.· Build a fast, transparent risk review process for new products, markets, and partnerships, with defined turnaround times.· Lead the Credit Union's $10 billion-ready enterprise risk management programs, building the second-line capabilities required to efficiently and effectively operate above the Dodd-Frank threshold.· Use the risk appetite framework to set clear \"go zones,\" so the business knows where it can move quickly without escalating.*Enterprise risk management and appetite*· Own the enterprise risk management framework and a three-lines governance model proportionate to the Credit Union's size and complexity.· Lead development of the Board-approved risk appetite statement, then cascade it into limits, key risk indicators, and escalation triggers.· Deliver clear, forward-looking risk reporting to the executive team, Board, and Supervisory Committee.*Credit, capital, and financial risk oversight*· Provide independent oversight of credit risk, including underwriting standards, portfolio concentration, and credit risk models.· Oversee interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and capital adequacy, in partnership with the CFO and ALCO.· Support and monitor capital planning and stress-testing programs that meet regulator expectations and inform strategic decisions.*Compliance, financial crime, and fraud*· Lead regulatory compliance, consumer protection (including UDAAP), and fair lending programs.· Own the BSA/AML and sanctions program, and a modern fraud strategy. The fraud strategy should address scams, synthetic identity, account takeover, and emerging AI-enabled threats while minimizing friction for members.*In-house legal counsel*· Oversee the in-house legal function, ensuring it is knowledgeable, responsive, business-minded, and committed to ethical, legal, and compliant business practices.· Preserve the General Counsel's independent access to the CEO, Board, and Supervisory Committee on legal matters.· Manage the selection, scope, and cost-effectiveness of outside counsel and other advisors.*Technology, data, AI, and third parties*· Provide second-line oversight of cybersecurity, operational resilience, and business continuity.· Establish model risk management and AI risk management that enable responsible, rapid adoption of new technology across the Credit Union.· Lead third-party and partner risk management, including fintech, wholesale lending, capital markets, and critical service providers.· Invest in risk data, analytics, and automation to make risk management faster, more predictive, and less manual.*Industry and regulatory relations*· Serve as a primary executive contact for NCUA, the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, and other regulators. Build relationships characterized by transparency, credibility, and no surprises.· Serve as primary executive facilitator of relationships with industry and trade associations.*People and culture*· Build and develop a high-performing second-line team with a partnership mindset.· Champion a risk culture in which every employee owns risk and raises issues early.**Knowledge/Skills**• Strong strategic, analytical, and quantitative judgment; able to weigh risk and return and make clear recommendations.• Clear, credible communication with Boards, executives, regulators, and frontline staff, in writing, in presentations, and with data.• Proven ability to influence without authority, resolve conflict, and build trust across functions.• Skilled at selecting, developing, and coaching talent, and at leading enterprise-wide programs.• Thorough knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to credit unions, including NCUA, state, and consumer protection requirements.• Contemporary knowledge of enterprise risk management and financial-institution risk disciplines, including the capabilities expected of institutions at and above $10 billion in assets.• Hands-on fluency with modern analytics, risk technology, and AI tools.**Experience and Qualifications**· BS/BA degree in relevant field or equivalent credential/experience is required· Graduate degree in risk management, business, law, public policy or equivalent credentials/experience preferred· Demonstrated commitment to professionalism and ongoing education is preferred (e.g. post-graduate executive education, risk management certifications such as FRM, PRM, CRCM, CAMS, etc.)· 10 or more years in risk management, compliance, or related fields, including senior leadership of a second-line function at a regulated financial institution of comparable size and complexity is required.· Experience at $10+ billion federally-insured depository, or experience crossing the Dodd-Frank threshold, is preferred.· Experience managing in-house legal counsel and experience selecting/managing outside legal counsel and similar advisors preferred.· Demonstrated breadth of knowledge and experience across credit, financial, operational, compliance, and technology risk domains.· A track record of enabling sustainable growth, such as launching products, partnerships, or digital capabilities with sound risk frameworks.· Fluency with risk data, analytics, and emerging technology, including AI tools.· Deep knowledge of credit union or bank regulation, including NCUA and state-level prudential supervision. Experience at FDIC-insured institutions is valued as transferable.· Must reside within the Everwise geographic footprint within 12 months of start date.Everwise is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.