Executive Vice President, COO/CRO

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.