SVP, Chief Risk Officer & Deputy General Counsel

At VyStar, we offer competitive pay, an excellent benefit package that includes a 401(k) Plan, an extensive paid technical and on-the-job training program, and tuition reimbursement--available to all full and part time employees.  Part time positions start at a minimum of 30 hours per week.

We encourage you to become a part of VyStar Credit Union's family of employees.

SVP, Chief Risk Officer & Deputy General CounselACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT

The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) is accountable for the strategic leadership and oversight of the credit union’s enterprise risk management (ERM) framework. This role ensures that all material risks—financial, operational, compliance, strategic, and reputational—are identified, assessed, mitigated, and monitored in alignment with regulatory expectations and the credit union’s mission to serve its members safely and soundly.

The CRO reports administratively to the Chief Legal Officer, but receives independent strategic and directional guidance from the Board of Directors. The CRO works to promote a strong risk culture, ensure regulatory compliance (including NCUA and FFIEC guidelines), and support sustainable growth. The CRO is responsible for maintaining independence in risk oversight while enabling informed decision-making across all business functions.

This position plays a critical role in safeguarding member assets, protecting institutional integrity, and ensuring resilience in a dynamic financial services environment.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage the second line risk function, which receives strategic direction from the Board of Directors, including continuing to upgrade and implement a comprehensive risk management framework tailored to the specific needs of a financial institution credit union, including credit risk, market risk, and operational risk.

• Work closely with the credit union’s senior leadership team to identify and assess potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate and manage those risks effectively.

• Monitor and report on key risk indicators to senior management, the board of directors, and regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

• Lead the credit union’s response to regulatory inquiries and audits, keeping abreast of changing regulatory requirements and best practices in risk management.

• Provide legal advice and guidance on a wide range of matters, including contracts, compliance, regulatory issues, and governance matters.

• Manage a team of risk management professionals, providing leadership and direction to support the credit union’s risk management and legal objectives.

ERM Framework: Champion, develop and maintain an ERM framework throughout VyStar. In cooperation with the Senior Team, define a risk strategy to identify and evaluate risks and implement risk management monitoring and response practices. Establish formalized identification and monitoring of key risk drivers across the organization and define acceptable tolerance levels in collaboration with Senior Team and Chief Legal Officer. Define risk response strategy – avoid, reduce, take alternative action, share/insure or accept, for identified risks.

Risk Monitoring/Reporting: Provide independent, enterprise-wide dashboard reports and review with Chief Legal Officer as denoted in Board policies on a set frequency (e.g., quarterly) to understand a unified picture on how the risk response strategy is working, whether objectives are being achieved and to identify possible needed changes to risk response strategy.

Risk Intelligent Culture: Develop a risk intelligent culture, with strong collaborative relationships across the organization. Create increased understanding and awareness of business line managers’ responsibility for risk assessment and management activities in their daily decision-making processes specialized knowledge and expertise in each area

Regulatory Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery,  BSA/AML. Third-Party Risk Management, and Strategic Sourcing

Establish strong collaboration and sharing of expertise/knowledge between these areas and in conjunction with Internal Audit’s assurance services. The ERM function will ensure practices are in place to protect VyStar’s assets in support of defined risk tolerance levels and ensure sound safety processes are in place to protect employees and the organization (e.g., incident reports, drivers’ license checks, employee usage of company vehicles, related insurance claims, etc.).

Knowledge, Skills and Professional Credentials: Maintain an understanding of VyStar’s overall business plan objectives, long-term strategic goals and current financial results. Annually, obtain necessary continuing education hours to maintain professional certifications and to continuously enhance individual knowledge. Ensure the ERM function is properly aligned and collectively retains the necessary resources, knowledge and skills to support VyStar achieving its strategic and financial goals and meet the needs of a growing and diverse organization.

Legal Counsel: Provide expert advice to senior leadership on complex legal matters and operational decisions; advise on legal matters pertaining to their offices and meeting fiduciary responsibilities; research, prepares and presents legal opinions; ensure that activities of the agency are legally supportable and in accordance with regulations. Lead in the representation of the credit union in litigation, hearings, and other legal matters. Research and develop opinions on legal issues, pending legislation, and proposed and/or new regulations upon request. Manage litigation and participate in selection and maintenance of outside counsel relationships. Perform other duties as directed.

Leadership: Display excellent and effective written and oral communication skills when interacting with Officials, Senior Management, personnel throughout the organization and when interacting with vendors and others external to VyStar. Maintain professional composure, objectivity and fairness when dealing with conflicts and sensitive matters. Display attention to detail, ability to multi-task and meet established deadlines. Exhibit sound judgment and problem-solving skills. Instill credibility and integrity for the ERM function. Maintain collaborative relationships across the organization. Demonstrate due professional care and the highest standards of professional competency.

Promote a strong sense of teamwork among direct and indirect reports as well when working with other levels of Management and Departments. Exhibit a commitment to mentoring others. Develop technical and behavioral skills by continually evaluating, coaching and mentoring ERM staff to enhance their individual professional development as well as the overall expertise of the ERM function. Conduct annual performance evaluations and provide opportunities and guidance for staff to assist them in the achievement of their professional and personal goals. Perform hiring, promoting and termination activities as necessary subject to approved budgets. Continually promote an environment of teamwork within the department.

ERM Budget: Prepare the ERM Function’s Annual Budget, which will be incorporated into the Annual Operating Plan (Plan) for VyStar, monitor actual versus budgeted expenses to ensure expenditures stay within or under Plan. Effectively utilize monetary resources to support the highest standards of professional work. Continually evaluate means to balance cost containment with maintaining high quality standards and skilled professionals.

Internal/External Auditors, Regulatory Examiners, Attorneys and Law Enforcement: Share information and documentation as applicable to external auditors, regulatory examiners, attorneys and/or law enforcement agencies to assist in the completion of audits, exams, legal matters and investigations as it relates to ERM practices and function.

All employees and business units, as first line of defense, are expected to proactively help identify, assess, manage, and report risks within their domain of work. To enhance a healthy risk culture and support our growth for good pillar, employees will maintain vigilance in safeguarding our operations while ensuring compliance with regulatory mandates. The Risk team serves as the second line of defense by providing risk oversight and credible challenge whereas the Audit team serves as the third line of defense by providing risk assurance.

Incumbent is expected to demonstrate each of the following VyStar Excellence behaviors in performing the duties and responsibilities of their job.

• Focus                Focus your full attention by carefully listening to and observing your client or member.

• Connect           Consistently be friendly and approachable.  Demonstrate you care.

• Understand     Listen empathetically and ask questions. (70%/30%)

• Counsel           Recommend solutions based on your client’s or member’s needs and objectives.

• Advance          Ensure that member's expectations were exceeded.

                                   Verify necessary follow-up action.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s Degree is required

• Juris Doctor Degree from accredited institution is

• Member in good standing of a state bar required; Florida license preferred.

Participate in related professional organizations to build professional networks. Obtain necessary continuing professional education hours to retain professional certification(s) and continuously build individual knowledge. Maintain competent working knowledge of various software applications.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of six years of corporate and commercial legal experience, preferable at a major law firm or in-house for a financial institution.

• 10+ years of experience in risk management and legal counsel in the financial services industry, preferably within a credit union or similar financial institution

• Proven track record of developing and implementing effective risk management strategies in a financial services environment.

• Strong knowledge of relevant laws and regulations governing credit unions and financial institutions

• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

•  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and make sound decisions in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Must have a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience leading teams, providing direct oversight, and mentoring of assigned staff, which includes selection, training, counseling, evaluations, and compensation decisions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong communication skills

• Ability to coach, mentor and lead team

• Ability to influence and persuade cross functional teams

DISCLAIMERS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Nothing in this position description is an implied contract for employment.  The position description is intended to be an accurate account of the essential functions.  The functions are not all encompassing and are subject to change at any time by management. The work environment characteristics described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

As required or requested, it may exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

VyStar Credit Union is not seeking outside assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or search firms for employment or contractor opportunities. Any resumes submitted by an outside vendor to any employee at VyStar via e-mail, internet, or directly to hiring managers without a valid written search agreement with the Talent Acquisition / HR department will be deemed the sole property of VyStar Credit Union.

No placement fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of the referral, or through other means.

Thank you for your inquiry regarding our current job opening.  Your resume will be carefully reviewed against the position requirements. Should your experience and skills match, you will be contacted by one of our Human Resources department staff members.

Thank you again for your interest in this position!

VyStar Credit Union Human Resources