Role Overview for Chief Risk Officer with a Regional Bank – San Francisco, CA
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a prominent and rapidly growing regional bank in its search for a strategic and forward-thinking Chief Risk Officer (CRO). Based in the vibrant financial hub of San Francisco, California, our client is a well-capitalized institution with a deep commitment to its community, customers, and employees. They have built a reputation for exceptional service, innovative financial products, and sound, ethical banking practices. As they continue to expand their market presence and navigate an increasingly complex regulatory and economic landscape, the appointment of a seasoned CRO is a critical strategic priority.
This is a C-suite executive leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors’ Risk Committee. The CRO will be the principal architect and steward of the bank’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework. You will be entrusted with the immense responsibility of identifying, assessing, monitoring, and mitigating all material risks across the organization. This includes the full spectrum of risk categories: credit, market, liquidity, operational, compliance, technology, strategic, and reputational risk.
The ideal candidate is not just a risk mitigator but a strategic business partner who can provide critical insights and counsel to the executive team, enabling the bank to pursue growth opportunities in a safe, sound, and compliant manner. You will be instrumental in fostering a robust risk-aware culture that permeates every level of the organization, ensuring that risk management is an integral part of the bank’s DNA and daily operations.
This position requires a leader with exceptional gravitas, deep technical expertise in banking risk, and a proven ability to influence and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. You will lead a dedicated team of risk professionals and work closely with business line leaders, finance, operations, and internal audit to create a cohesive and comprehensive risk management function. Your leadership will be pivotal in safeguarding the bank’s assets, protecting its reputation, and ensuring its long-term stability and success.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Risk Officer with a Regional Bank – San Francisco, CA
The Chief Risk Officer will have a broad and impactful mandate. Key responsibilities include:
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework
- Design, implement, and continuously enhance a comprehensive ERM framework that is tailored to the bank’s size, complexity, and strategic objectives.
- Establish and maintain risk management policies, procedures, and controls to ensure the effective identification, measurement, monitoring, and reporting of all significant risks.
- Work directly with the Board of Directors and executive management to define and articulate the bank’s risk appetite statement and associated tolerance limits, ensuring alignment with the overall business strategy.
- Champion the integration of risk management principles into strategic planning, new product development, and major business decisions.
Risk Governance and Reporting
- Chair or be a key member of various risk management committees, ensuring effective governance and oversight.
- Develop and deliver clear, concise, and actionable risk reports to the CEO, executive management, and the Board’s Risk Committee, highlighting key risk exposures, trends, and mitigation strategies.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for and build strong, transparent relationships with regulatory agencies, including the OCC, FDIC, and the Federal Reserve.
- Oversee all regulatory examinations related to risk management and ensure timely and effective remediation of any findings.
Management of Specific Risk Categories
Credit Risk
Provide oversight and direction for the bank’s credit risk management function, including underwriting standards, portfolio concentration, loan review, and the allowance for credit losses (ACL) methodology.
Market & Liquidity Risk
Oversee the management of interest rate risk (IRR), asset/liability management (ALM), investment portfolio risk, and the bank’s overall liquidity risk position and contingency funding plan.
Operational Risk
Develop and lead the operational risk management program, including risk and control self-assessments (RCSAs), key risk indicators (KRIs), loss data analysis, and mitigation of risks related to fraud, technology, cybersecurity, third-party vendors, and business continuity.
Compliance & Legal Risk
Oversee the bank’s Compliance Management System (CMS) to ensure adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, and consumer protection laws.
Strategic & Reputational Risk
Proactively identify and assess emerging risks and provide strategic counsel to the board on potential threats to the bank’s business model and public reputation.
Leadership and Culture
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of risk management professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, expertise, and continuous improvement.
- Drive the promotion of a strong, proactive risk culture throughout the entire organization through training, communication, and leading by example.
- Advocate for and sponsor the adoption of new technologies, data analytics, and modeling techniques to enhance the sophistication and efficiency of risk management processes.
Requirements for the Chief Risk Officer with a Regional Bank – San Francisco, CA
We are seeking a distinguished leader with a deep and comprehensive understanding of the financial services industry. The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications:
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related quantitative field is required.
- An advanced degree such as an MBA or a Master’s in a relevant discipline is strongly preferred.
- Professional certifications such as Financial Risk Manager (FRM), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) are highly desirable.
Professional Experience
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in risk management, audit, or a related control function within the banking or financial services industry.
- At least 7-10 years of experience in a senior leadership capacity, managing multiple risk disciplines and leading teams of professionals.
- Direct experience working in a regulated U.S. banking institution, preferably with assets between $10 billion and $50 billion.
- Demonstrable track record of successfully managing relationships and examinations with federal and state banking regulators.
- Proven experience in presenting complex risk topics to executive management and a Board of Directors.
Skills and Expertise
- Expert-level knowledge of all primary risk domains, including credit, market, operational, and compliance risk.
- A comprehensive understanding of the current U.S. banking regulatory landscape, including Dodd-Frank, Basel III/IV capital and liquidity standards, and CECL/ACL methodologies.
- Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to articulate a clear vision, influence stakeholders at all levels, and build consensus.
- Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven and intellectually curious mindset.
- Unquestionable integrity, ethics, and judgment, with the courage to challenge the status quo when necessary.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to connect risk management to broader business objectives and drive value for the organization.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is dedicated to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:
Executive Compensation
A competitive base salary, a significant annual performance-based bonus, and a long-term equity incentive plan.
Health & Wellness
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents, along with a robust wellness program, health savings accounts (HSA), and fitness stipends.
Retirement Planning
A 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match and potential profit-sharing contributions.
Work-Life Integration
A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, paid company holidays, and comprehensive parental leave programs.
Professional Growth
A dedicated budget for executive coaching, professional development, industry conferences, and continuing education to support your growth as a leader.
Relocation
A comprehensive relocation assistance package is available for the successful candidate if required.
Additional Perks
Other executive perquisites may include club memberships, financial planning services, and reserved parking.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is the exclusive recruitment partner for this confidential search. To be considered for this exceptional leadership opportunity, interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their resume and a detailed cover letter outlining their suitability for the role. Your cover letter should highlight your experience in leading an enterprise risk function within a regulated banking environment.
Please direct all applications and inquiries to our dedicated executive search team. You can learn more about our expertise in this area by visiting JRG Partners’ Financial Services practice. We are committed to a confidential and thorough review process for all applicants. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
