Chief Risk Officer - Fargo, ND

Location

Job Description:

Join a Legacy. Lead the Future.

With more than 100 years of trusted service, we are a forward-thinking, community-focused bank built on strong values, customer dedication, and an extraordinary workplace culture. We're proud of our collaborative executive team and an environment that encourages leadership at every level.

We are actively seeking an experienced and visionary Chief Risk Officer (CRO) to join our Executive Leadership Team. This position is designed with a clear and supportive succession plan for our current CRO, targeting transition within 6-12 months. If you are passionate about risk leadership, regulatory excellence, and strategic growth, we invite you to consider this transformative opportunity.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the CRO will lead our independent Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Program and serve as a key advisor to both the CEO and the Board. As a member of the Executive Team-yet independent from first-line leadership-the CRO plays a critical role in ensuring risks are properly identified, assessed, and managed across all areas of the Bank.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree or advanced degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Legal or related field desired; specific Chief Risk Officer or Chief Compliance Officer or related experience preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

15+ years of banking experience in roles that provide an optimal balance of the following:

• Deep experience and thorough understanding how a community bank's core consumer, commercial, and payment system products and services are designed, originated, and serviced.

• Fundamental understanding of the key risks that adversely affect the key financial measurements of success for a community bank.

• Leadership experience developing and leading front-line leaders, managing significant change, leading complex initiatives, and collaborating with key stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

• Deep understanding of how the OCC or similar Federal regulator supervises and examines a community bank.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Governance and Appetite

• Lead a comprehensive written Risk Governance Framework that meets the CEO, Board and regulatory expectations and is commensurate with the size, complexity, and risk profile of the Bank.
• Oversee the establishment and annual update of the Risk Appetite, ongoing Risk Appetite Performance Reporting to Board and Executive Leadership, and the execution of action plans established when Risk Tolerance/Thresholds are approached or breached
• Establish enterprise policies and related procedures and processes necessary to implement the Risk Governance Framework and address how aggregate risks within the Bank are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled, consistent with the Bank's Risk Appetite.

Risk Assessment and Oversight Committees

• Oversee the establishment and execution of a Risk Assessment Program that meets regulatory expectations and results in risk assessment of the Bank's material activities and assists Leadership to identify current, emerging, and aggregate risks and determine if actions need to be taken to strengthen risk management or reduce risk.
• Chair the Executive Risk Committee consisting of the Bank's Executive Leadership Team and other appropriate Bank leadership appointed by the CRO. The Executive Risk Committee shall establish a charter that: (1) supports the Bank's Mission and conservative risk culture; (2) provides oversight and supports the effective execution of the Bank's Risk Governance Framework; and (3) ensures the Bank is effectively managing risks within the Risk Appetite.

New Activities and Third-Party Risk

• Establish and oversee a written governance framework and risk management system for developing and implementing "new activities" also known as new, expanded or modified products and services ("NEMPS"). The NEMPS Program will be designed to meet regulatory expectations for managing risks associated with "new activities."
• Establish and oversee a written governance framework and risk management system for managing third party risk and compliance that meets regulatory expectations.

Regulatory and Supervisory Relationships

• Manage the Bank's supervisory relationship with the Office of Comptroller of Currency ("OCC") and other applicable Federal and state regulatory agencies. Coordinate the Bank's OCC regulatory exam and supervisory oversight activities.

Risk Management Division Leadership

• Lead a Risk Management Division responsible for executing aspects of the Risk Governance Framework and ensuring the Bank complies with applicable laws and regulations.
• Oversee:
  • The Bank's Chief Compliance Officer and an effective Compliance Management System and Program that meets regulatory expectations.
  • The Bank's Information Security Officer and an effective Information Security Program, Incident Response Program, and Business Continuity Management Program that meets regulatory expectations.
  • The Bank's BSA Officer and an effective Anti-Money Laundering/Bank Secrecy Act Program ("AML/BSA" Program) that meets regulatory expectations.
  • The Bank's SVP of Financial Crimesand an effective Fraud Risk Management Program.
  • The coordination with outside counsel regarding pending or threatened litigation, legal notices and requests, and other Legal matters as the CEO shall assign to the CRO.

Lead the Bank's operational risk management program

• CO-chair the Bank's Operational Risk Committee in collaboration with the Chair, EVP/Chief Information Officer.
• Lead operational risk reporting, including key risk indicator tracking and reporting.

• Vendor Risk:
  • Oversee and ensure vendor management policies, standards, procedures, onboarding and due diligence support the Bank's mission and regulatory requirements.
  • Oversee the annual vendor due diligence process and ensure alignment with vendor management policies and procedures.
• Model Risk Management:
  • Oversee and ensure model risk management policies, standards, procedures, onboarding and due diligence support the Bank's mission and regulatory requirements.

Lead the Bank's Quality Control and Credit Risk Review Programs

• Lead Bank's Credit Risk Review Program pursuant to OCC Bulletin 2020-50: Interagency Guidance on Credit Risk Review Systems.
• Establish and lead the Bank's Quality Control Committee responsible for oversight of the Bank's Quality Control Program scope, execution and results.
• Establish and lead the Bank's annual independent loan review program as part of the Bank's Credit Risk Review Program.

Board and Executive Reporting

• Establish and maintain effective communication with the Board and Executive Leadership regarding the Bank's Risk profile and any risk management and compliance matters requiring attention. Provide the Board with a written, quarterly Chief Risk Officer Report to the Board and Executive Leadership that incorporates all required reporting per the Policy and other policies of the Bank.

CERTIFICATES OR LICENSES:

Preference will be given to candidates with J.D. degree and license to practice law, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager certification (CRCM), Certified Enterprise Risk Professional (CERP), or Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).

Why Join Us?

• 100-year legacy of financial strength and community trust

• A collaborative, empowered executive team that values your voice

• An opportunity to shape the future of the Bank and drive risk excellence

• Supportive succession plan with onboarding tailored for long-term success

Ready to take the next step?

Apply now or reach out confidentially to learn more about this opportunity.

EOE/including Disability/Vets

Member FDIC