Role Overview for Chief Data Officer – Regional Bank | Charlotte, NC
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, forward-thinking regional bank in their search for a visionary Chief Data Officer (CDO). Based in the vibrant financial hub of Charlotte, NC, this executive leadership role is a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of banking through the strategic use of data. Our client is a well-established institution with a deep commitment to community, customer service, and innovation. They are embarking on a significant digital transformation journey, and they recognize that a robust, enterprise-wide data strategy is the cornerstone of their future success, enabling enhanced customer experiences, optimized operations, and sophisticated risk management.
As the Chief Data Officer, you will be the senior executive responsible for the bank’s data vision, strategy, and execution. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, championing a data-driven culture across all business units. You will build and lead a centralized data organization, establishing the governance, policies, and infrastructure required to manage the bank’s data as a critical enterprise asset. This role demands a unique blend of strategic foresight, technical mastery, and inspirational leadership. You will not only oversee the technical aspects of data management and analytics but also act as a change agent, educating and empowering colleagues to leverage data for competitive advantage. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned data executive with a proven track record in the financial services industry, capable of navigating a complex regulatory environment while driving innovation and tangible business value.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Data Officer – Regional Bank | Charlotte, NC
The Chief Data Officer will have a broad and impactful mandate, with responsibilities spanning strategy, governance, technology, and leadership. Success in this role will be measured by the ability to transform data into actionable insights that drive revenue, improve efficiency, and mitigate risk.
Enterprise Data Strategy & Vision
- Develop, articulate, and champion an enterprise-wide data and analytics strategy that aligns directly with the bank’s overall business objectives and long-term goals.
- Create and manage a strategic roadmap for data initiatives, including data governance, master data management, data quality, analytics, and business intelligence.
- Act as the primary advocate for data-driven decision-making at the executive level, demonstrating the ROI of data investments and fostering a culture of data literacy throughout the organization.
- Continuously evaluate emerging trends and technologies in data management, AI, and machine learning, identifying opportunities for innovation and competitive differentiation in areas like credit scoring, fraud detection, and personalized marketing.
Data Governance, Quality, and Compliance
- Establish and chair a formal Data Governance Council, comprising senior leaders from across the bank, to define data policies, standards, and ownership.
- Implement a comprehensive data governance framework, including data stewardship programs, data dictionaries, business glossaries, and data lineage documentation.
- Develop and enforce robust data quality standards and processes to ensure data is accurate, complete, consistent, and trustworthy for all reporting and analytical purposes.
- Ensure strict compliance with all relevant data-related regulations, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and principles for data privacy. You will be responsible for interpreting and implementing regulations, such as the BCBS 239 principles for effective risk data aggregation and risk reporting.
Analytics & Business Intelligence Enablement
- Lead and mentor the bank’s business intelligence and data analytics teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
- Oversee the development and deployment of advanced analytics models to solve critical business challenges, such as customer lifetime value prediction, churn analysis, and loan portfolio optimization.
- Partner with business line leaders (e.g., Retail Banking, Commercial Lending, Wealth Management) to understand their needs and deliver tailored analytical solutions and self-service BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) that provide actionable insights.
- Promote the ethical use of data and AI, establishing clear guidelines and review processes to prevent bias and ensure fairness in all analytical models and applications.
Data Architecture & Technology Leadership
- Collaborate closely with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to design and implement a modern, scalable, and secure data architecture.
- Oversee the management of the bank’s data ecosystem, including data warehouses, data lakes, ETL processes, and data integration platforms.
- Lead the evaluation and selection of data-related technologies and vendors, ensuring they align with the enterprise architecture and business strategy.
- Drive the modernization of the data platform, potentially including migration to cloud-based solutions (AWS, Azure, GCP) to enhance flexibility, scalability, and analytical capabilities.
Requirements for the Chief Data Officer – Regional Bank | Charlotte, NC
We are seeking a distinguished leader with deep expertise in data and a passion for driving business transformation. The successful candidate will possess a combination of technical depth, strategic acumen, and exceptional leadership skills.
Educational & Professional Experience
- Master’s degree or PhD in a quantitative or technical field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related discipline. An MBA is a strong plus.
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in data management, data science, or analytics roles, with at least 7-10 years in a senior leadership capacity (Director, VP, or CDO).
Mandatory
Significant experience within the banking or financial services industry is required. A deep understanding of banking operations, products, and the regulatory landscape is essential.
- Demonstrable track record of developing and implementing a successful enterprise-wide data strategy that resulted in measurable business impact.
- Proven experience building and leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary data teams.
Technical & Functional Expertise
- Expert-level knowledge of data governance frameworks (e.g., DAMA-DMBOK) and data quality management principles.
- In-depth understanding of modern data architecture, including cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), data warehousing, data lakes, and master data management (MDM) solutions.
- Strong familiarity with the analytics and business intelligence toolchain, from ETL/ELT processes to data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI) and advanced analytics platforms.
- Proficiency in the concepts of data science, machine learning, and AI, and their practical applications within a banking context.
- Comprehensive knowledge of data security and privacy regulations relevant to the financial industry.
Leadership & Personal Attributes
- Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business language for executive audiences.
- Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; a natural ability to influence and build consensus across all levels of an organization.
- A collaborative and servant-leader mindset, with a passion for mentoring talent and fostering a positive, innovative team culture.
- Strong business acumen and a results-oriented approach, with a focus on delivering tangible value and driving performance.
- High level of integrity, ethical judgment, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier talent. This includes:
Competitive Base Salary
An attractive base salary commensurate with executive-level experience.
Executive Incentive Plan
A significant annual bonus component tied to individual and company performance.
Long-Term Incentives
Participation in an equity or long-term incentive plan (LTIP) to reward long-term value creation.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents.
Retirement Savings
A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company match and potential profit-sharing contributions.
Generous Paid Time Off
A substantial PTO policy, including vacation, sick days, and company-paid holidays.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for executive coaching, industry conferences, and continuing education.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the successful candidate.
Work-Life Balance
A commitment to supporting the well-being of employees through various wellness programs and initiatives.
How to Apply
This is a confidential, retained search conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary data leader with the experience and passion to drive the data transformation of a leading regional bank, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this exceptional opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and strategic vision for data in the banking sector.
JRG Partners is a leader in executive recruitment for the financial industry. To learn more about our expertise and other opportunities, please visit the page for JRG Partners’ Chief Data & AI Officer (CDO / CDAO) Executive Search practice. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
