Strategic Risk Officer for Growth & Compliance

Everwise Credit Union; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Everwise Credit Union in Lincoln, Nebraska, seeks a Chief Risk Officer to join the executive team. The CRO leads second line of defense, aligning risk appetite with growth, pricing, and capital allocation, while reporting to the CEO and Board.

You will oversee enterprise risk management, compliance, BSA/AML, fraud, in-house legal, cybersecurity, third-party risk, and AI governance, shaping strategy for new products and partnerships while protecting members and regulators.

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree in a relevant field is required.
• Graduate degree in risk management, business, law, public policy or equivalent credentials/experience preferred.
• Post-graduate executive education or risk management certifications such as FRM, PRM, CRCM, CAMS preferred.
• 10+ years in risk management, compliance, or related fields with senior leadership of a second-line function at a regulated financial institution of comparable size and complexity.
• Experience at $10+ billion federally-insured depository, or experience crossing the Dodd-Frank threshold, is preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Serve as a primary executive contact for regulators and industry associations.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Influence without authority

Talent development

Enterprise risk management

Regulatory knowledge

AI risk tools

Education

BS/BA degree

Graduate degree in risk management or related field

Tools

Risk management software

AI risk tools

Job description

Everwise Credit Union in Lincoln, Nebraska, seeks a Chief Risk Officer to join the executive team. The CRO leads second line of defense, aligning risk appetite with growth, pricing, and capital allocation, while reporting to the CEO and Board.

You will oversee enterprise risk management, compliance, BSA/AML, fraud, in-house legal, cybersecurity, third-party risk, and AI governance, shaping strategy for new products and partnerships while protecting members and regulators.