Executive Vice President (EVP), Retail Banking

Client: Confidential – Top-Tier National Bank
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Recruiting Firm: JRG Partners

Role Overview for EVP, Retail Banking with a National Bank – Charlotte, NC

JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, top-tier national bank in its search for an exceptional Executive Vice President (EVP) of Retail Banking. This is a career-defining opportunity for a visionary and strategic leader to assume full P&L responsibility and executive oversight for the entire retail banking division in a key growth market. Based in the vibrant financial hub of Charlotte, NC, you will be a pivotal member of the bank’s executive leadership team, reporting directly to the President of Consumer Banking.

Our client is a household name in the financial services industry, renowned for its unwavering commitment to customer-centricity, technological innovation, and community reinvestment. They are seeking a transformative leader who can build upon a strong foundation to navigate the evolving landscape of consumer banking. The ideal candidate will be responsible for shaping the future of the retail banking experience, driving sustainable and profitable growth, and fostering a culture of excellence across a vast network of branches, digital platforms, and customer contact centers.

As the EVP of Retail Banking, you will be the architect of the division’s multi-year strategic plan. Your mandate will be to enhance market share, deepen customer relationships, and ensure operational and regulatory soundness. You will lead a large and diverse team of banking professionals, inspiring them to deliver unparalleled service and achieve ambitious financial targets. This role requires a unique blend of strategic acumen, financial expertise, operational discipline, and inspirational leadership. You will be the public face of the bank’s retail operations in the region, championing its brand and values within the community and the industry at large. If you are a results-oriented banking executive with a proven track record of leading large-scale transformation and a passion for building the bank of the future, we invite you to explore this exceptional opportunity.

Key Responsibilities of EVP, Retail Banking with a National Bank – Charlotte, NC

The EVP of Retail Banking will have a broad and impactful set of responsibilities, encompassing strategic direction, financial oversight, customer experience, operational integrity, and team leadership. Success in this role will be measured by the division’s financial performance, market share growth, customer satisfaction scores, and employee engagement.

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive, forward-looking strategic plan for the retail banking division that aligns with the bank’s overall corporate objectives.
• Identify and capitalize on emerging market trends, competitive threats, and growth opportunities within the Charlotte metropolitan area and the broader region.
• Champion a digital-first mindset, driving the integration of innovative technologies and fintech partnerships to enhance the customer journey and improve operational efficiency. This includes staying ahead of the latest trends in digital banking adoption.
• Lead strategic initiatives related to product development, channel optimization (branch, mobile, online), and market expansion.
• Present strategic plans, financial performance updates, and key initiatives to the executive management team and the Board of Directors.

Financial Performance & Growth

• Assume full P&L responsibility for the retail banking division, including managing revenue, expenses, and overall profitability to meet or exceed aggressive financial targets.
• Drive significant growth in core deposits, consumer loans (mortgage, auto, personal), and non-interest income streams, including wealth management and insurance products.
• Develop and manage the annual budget, financial forecasts, and capital allocation plans for the division.
• Implement sophisticated pricing strategies and promotional campaigns to attract and retain profitable customer relationships.
• Analyze financial data and performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective action plans as needed.

Customer Experience & Innovation

• Foster a deeply ingrained, customer-obsessed culture throughout the entire retail banking organization.
• Oversee the design and delivery of a seamless, intuitive, and personalized omnichannel customer experience.
• Utilize data analytics, customer feedback, and market research to gain deep insights into customer needs and behaviors, using this information to drive product innovation and service enhancements.
• Champion initiatives that improve key customer satisfaction metrics, such as Net Promoter Score (NPS), and reduce customer churn.

Operational Excellence & Risk Management

• Ensure all retail banking activities are conducted in strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including those set forth by the OCC, CFPB, and other regulatory bodies.
• Maintain a robust risk management framework to identify, assess, mitigate, and monitor operational, credit, and compliance risks.
• Drive continuous process improvement and operational efficiency across the branch network, back-office operations, and digital channels.
• Collaborate closely with internal partners in Audit, Compliance, Risk Management, and Legal to ensure a strong control environment.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a large and geographically dispersed team of senior managers, branch staff, and operational support personnel.
• Cultivate a high-performance, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that attracts, develops, and retains top talent.
• Establish clear performance goals, provide regular coaching and feedback, and oversee the talent management and succession planning processes for the division.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives, ensuring a workforce that reflects the communities it serves.

Requirements for the EVP, Retail Banking with a National Bank – Charlotte, NC

This executive position demands a seasoned and accomplished banking leader with a demonstrated history of success in managing large, complex retail banking operations.

Experience

A minimum of 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in the retail banking sector. At least 7-10 years of this experience must be in a senior executive role (e.g., SVP, Division Head, or EVP) with significant P&L responsibility at a large regional or national bank.

Education

A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is strongly preferred.

Financial Acumen

Proven track record of successfully managing the P&L for a multi-billion dollar retail banking division. Deep expertise in balance sheet management, financial modeling, and profitability analysis.

Strategic & Digital Expertise

Demonstrable experience in developing and executing successful growth strategies. Deep understanding of digital transformation, fintech ecosystems, and modern banking technologies.

Regulatory Knowledge

Comprehensive knowledge of the U.S. banking regulatory environment, including consumer protection laws and BSA/AML requirements.

Leadership Skills

Exceptional leadership presence with the ability to inspire and motivate large teams. A history of building high-performing leadership teams and fostering a positive, inclusive culture.

Communication Skills

Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills. The ability to communicate complex information clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiences, from front-line employees to the Board of Directors.

Location

Candidate must be based in or willing to relocate to the Charlotte, NC metropolitan area.

Benefits & Perks Offered

Our client offers a highly competitive and comprehensive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain the very best talent in the industry. The package includes:

Executive Compensation

A highly competitive base salary, a significant annual performance-based bonus, and a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) with equity components.

Health & Wellness

Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your family. Access to executive wellness programs, including comprehensive annual physicals and mental health resources.

Retirement & Financial Planning

A generous 401(k) plan with a substantial company match, a deferred compensation plan, and access to personalized financial and estate planning services.

Work-Life Balance

A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, paid holidays, and parental leave.

Professional Development

A significant budget for executive coaching, attendance at industry conferences, and continuing education to ensure you remain at the forefront of the banking industry.

Relocation

A comprehensive executive relocation package is available for the successful candidate and their family.

Additional Perks

Other executive-level perquisites may include a car allowance and club memberships.

How to Apply

JRG Partners is leading the exclusive search for this EVP, Retail Banking position. If you are a visionary banking executive with the experience and passion to lead this critical division, we encourage you to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

To express your interest, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications through our secure application portal. Due to the high volume of interest, only qualified candidates will be contacted for further discussion.

To learn more about our specialized expertise in placing top-tier executives within the banking and financial sectors, please visit our Financial Services Executive Search practice page.