Executive Vice President, COO/CRO

RockBridge Search & Recruitment; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus

Long-term incentives

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

RockBridge Search & Recruitment in Irvine, CA, seeks an Executive Vice President, COO/CRO to lead operational excellence and enterprise risk strategy in a high-growth banking institution. Dual responsibilities span operations leadership and risk governance at the highest level.

You will partner with the CEO and Board to drive performance, safeguard health, and scale infrastructure, while navigating regulatory complexities with precision.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in banking or financial services.
• Executive-level COO/CRO or dual-role experience in a regulated financial institution.
• Deep understanding of banking regulations (FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve) and risk governance.
• Experience scaling organizations and leading transformation initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced financial/risk certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Architect enterprise-wide operational strategies that scale with growth.
• Oversee day-to-day banking operations across all major lines.
• Drive process optimization, automation and digital transformation.
• Establish KPIs and translate data into decisive actions.
• Lead ERM framework and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Partner with credit leadership to ensure sound underwriting standards.
• Lead internal audit, compliance, and risk teams.
• Present risk insights and reporting to the Board with clarity.

Skills

Operations leadership

Risk management

Executive leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or advanced certifications

Job description

Irvine, California
Compensation: $250,000+ Base Salary + Executive Bonus + Long-Term Incentives + Comprehensive Benefits
Industry: Banking / Financial Services

Lead the Engine. Guard the Enterprise. Shape the Future.

This is not a role for caretakers. It's for architects of scale, stewards of risk, and operators who see around corners.

A high-performing, growth-oriented banking institution in Irvine is seeking a dynamic Executive Vice President, COO/CRO to sit at the helm of operational excellence and enterprise risk strategy. This dual-hat executive role is equal parts strategist and sentinel - responsible for ensuring the bank runs with precision while remaining resilient in an ever-evolving regulatory and economic landscape.

You will partner closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and executive leadership team to drive performance, strengthen infrastructure, and safeguard the institution's long-term health.

What You'll Own Operational Leadership (COO)

• Architect and execute enterprise-wide operational strategies that scale with growth while maintaining efficiency and service excellence
• Oversee day-to-day banking operations including retail, commercial, treasury services, loan operations, and back-office functions
• Drive process optimization, automation, and digital transformation initiatives that modernize the bank’s operating model
• Establish KPIs and performance metrics that turn data into decisive action
• Lead cross-functional alignment across business units, ensuring seamless execution from strategy to delivery
• Champion a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational discipline
• Develop and lead a comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework covering credit, operational, compliance, market, and liquidity risks
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulators, ensuring full compliance with all federal and state banking requirements
• Oversee risk appetite frameworks, stress testing, and scenario planning to proactively manage exposure
• Partner with credit leadership to ensure sound underwriting standards and portfolio health
• Lead internal audit, compliance, and risk teams with a sharp focus on governance and transparency
• Present risk insights and reporting to the Board, translating complexity into clarity

What You Bring to the Table

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in banking or financial services, with significant exposure to both operations and risk management
• Proven success in an executive-level COO, CRO, or dual-role capacity within a regulated financial institution
• Deep understanding of banking regulations (FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve) and risk governance frameworks
• Strong command of credit risk, loan portfolio management, and operational infrastructure
• Demonstrated ability to scale organizations, implement systems, and lead transformation initiatives
• Executive presence with the ability to influence at the Board and investor level
• bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced financial/risk certifications strongly preferred

Leadership DNA

You operate like a control tower- calm, precise, always scanning the horizon. You're as comfortable dissecting a balance sheet as you are reengineering a workflow. You don't just react to risk - design systems that make it predictable, manageable, and, ideally, avoidable.

Why This Role

• Strategic Seat at the Table: Direct influence on the bank’s growth trajectory and long-term vision
• Dual Impact: Shape both how the bank operates and how it protects itself
• Executive Compensation: Competitive base + performance bonus + long-term wealth-building incentives
• Platform for Legacy: Build infrastructure and frameworks that will define the institution for years to come

If you're ready to run the engine while guarding the gates - and do it with precision, foresight, and authority - this role is your proving ground.