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# Chief Digital Officer with a Regional Bank – Chicago, IL


Role Overview for Chief Digital Officer with a Regional Bank – Chicago, IL
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a distinguished and forward-thinking regional bank in the heart of Chicago, IL, in their search for a visionary Chief Digital Officer (CDO). This is a pivotal, executive-level position for a transformative leader poised to redefine the future of banking for a loyal and growing customer base. The successful candidate will join the C-suite, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and will be the primary architect and driver of the bank’s comprehensive digital strategy. This role is not simply about technology; it’s about fundamentally reimagining how the bank engages with its customers, streamlines its operations, and creates sustainable competitive advantage in an increasingly digital world.
As the CDO, you will be entrusted with the full spectrum of the bank’s digital presence and innovation agenda. You will champion a culture of digital-first thinking, inspiring change and fostering collaboration across all business units, from retail and commercial banking to marketing and operations. Your mission will be to create a seamless, intuitive, and highly personalized customer experience across all digital touchpoints, including online banking, mobile applications, and digital onboarding processes. You will be responsible for identifying and capitalizing on emerging technologies, fintech partnerships, and data-driven insights to launch innovative products and services that not only meet but anticipate customer needs. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact, shaping the strategic direction of a respected financial institution and cementing its position as a leader in the digital banking landscape.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Digital Officer with a Regional Bank – Chicago, IL
The Chief Digital Officer will have a broad and impactful mandate. Key responsibilities include:
Digital Strategy & Transformation Leadership
Develop, articulate, and execute a clear and compelling enterprise-wide digital transformation roadmap. This strategy must be deeply integrated with the bank’s overall business objectives, focusing on driving revenue growth, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving customer satisfaction and loyalty. You will constantly assess the competitive landscape and technological trends to ensure the bank’s digital strategy remains relevant, innovative, and ahead of the curve.
Customer Experience (CX) & Journey Orchestration
Serve as the ultimate advocate for the customer in the digital realm. Lead the design, development, and continuous optimization of a world-class, omnichannel customer experience. Utilize user research, data analytics, and A/B testing to map and enhance customer journeys, ensuring every digital interaction is simple, secure, and value-added. You will spearhead initiatives to personalize customer engagement at scale.
Digital Product & Innovation Management
Oversee the entire lifecycle of the bank’s digital product portfolio, from ideation and business case development to launch, performance monitoring, and iteration. Foster a robust innovation pipeline, exploring and piloting emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), automation, and blockchain to create next-generation banking solutions.
Technology & Platform Oversight
Collaborate closely with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to ensure the bank’s technology infrastructure, architecture, and security protocols are robust, scalable, and capable of supporting the ambitious digital vision. You will guide the selection and implementation of digital platforms and tools, promoting agile development methodologies to accelerate time-to-market.
Data Analytics & Business Intelligence
Champion a data-driven culture throughout the organization. Leverage advanced analytics, customer data platforms, and business intelligence tools to extract actionable insights that inform strategic decisions, product development, and marketing campaigns. Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and a comprehensive digital dashboard to measure the ROI of all digital initiatives.
Digital Marketing & Growth
Partner with the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to craft and execute integrated digital marketing strategies aimed at customer acquisition, engagement, and retention. Oversee all digital marketing channels, including search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), content marketing, social media, email marketing, and digital advertising, ensuring a cohesive brand message and optimized performance.
Executive Leadership & Team Development
Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing, cross-functional digital team encompassing product management, UX/UI design, data science, and digital marketing. Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment that attracts and retains top talent. Manage the digital division’s budget, resources, and key vendor/partner relationships effectively.
Risk Management & Regulatory Compliance
Ensure that all digital products, services, and initiatives strictly adhere to all relevant banking regulations, industry standards, and internal risk management policies. Work proactively with compliance, legal, and security teams to identify and mitigate potential digital risks, including cybersecurity threats, data privacy issues, and fraud.
Requirements for the Chief Digital Officer with a Regional Bank – Chicago, IL
The ideal candidate is a seasoned digital executive with a proven history of driving transformation within complex, regulated environments. We are seeking a strategic visionary with a pragmatic, hands-on approach to execution.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is required. An MBA or other relevant advanced degree is strongly preferred.
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in digital strategy, product management, or technology leadership roles, with at least 7-10 years in a senior leadership capacity (e.g., VP, Head of Digital, CDO).
Industry Expertise
Significant and demonstrable experience within the financial services industry (banking, credit unions, or fintech) is mandatory. The candidate must possess a deep understanding of the unique challenges, opportunities, and regulatory complexities of the banking sector.
Transformational Leadership
A proven track record of successfully conceptualizing and leading large-scale digital transformation projects that resulted in measurable business impact, such as increased customer adoption, revenue growth, or operational savings.
Technical & Digital Acumen
Deep expertise in modern digital technologies, including mobile and web platforms, cloud computing, APIs, data analytics, and marketing automation. The candidate must have a strong grasp of the evolving fintech landscape and be able to evaluate and integrate third-party solutions.
Strategic & Analytical Mindset
Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Must be highly analytical, with the ability to translate complex data into clear insights and a compelling business narrative for executive and board-level audiences.
Communication & Influence
Superior communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. The ability to articulate a clear vision and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization, from the boardroom to the front lines, is critical for success.
Financial Acumen
Strong business and financial acumen, with experience managing a P&L, developing business cases, and demonstrating the financial return on digital investments.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive and comprehensive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain a leader of this caliber. This includes:
Executive Compensation
A competitive base salary complemented by a significant annual performance-based bonus and a long-term incentive plan (LTI) tied to the bank’s growth and success.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents.
Retirement Savings
A robust 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company matching contribution.
Work-Life Balance
An executive-level paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick days, and paid company holidays.
Relocation Support
A comprehensive relocation assistance package is available for qualified candidates moving to the vibrant Chicago area.
Professional Growth
A substantial allowance for professional development, including executive coaching, conference attendance, and continuing education.
Impact & Visibility
The opportunity to hold a highly visible leadership role with significant autonomy and the ability to make a tangible impact on the future of a respected financial institution.
How to Apply
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained for this critical executive search. To be considered for this career-defining opportunity, please submit your confidential resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and your vision for digital transformation in the banking sector.
We invite you to learn more about our dedicated recruitment practice by exploring our expertise in Financial Services Technology executive search. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the strictest confidence. 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.