VP, Risk Management

Recognized by the city of Alexandria as a Gold Employer, the State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU) is dedicated to providing outstanding opportunities and professional development. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, with assets exceeding $2.9 billion, we understand that our success is driven by our talented team members.

At SDFCU, we are committed to attracting and retaining top talent to ensure our continued success. Our tradition of exceptional service extends not only to our members but also to our employees. Through comprehensive internal training and workshops, we nurture professional strengths and provide ample opportunities for career advancement. Are you ready to join our dynamic team? We offer competitive salaries, exceptional health, dental, and vision insurance within the first 30 days of employment, a matched 401(K) plan with up to 4% SDFCU contribution, and much more.

Benefits and Perks of SDFCU Include:

• Diversity and Inclusion: Work in an environment that values and respects all team members
• Paid Holidays: Enjoy 12 paid holidays a year, including your birthday
• Flexible Work Options: Potential work-from-home options after the introductory period
• Generous Paid Time Off: Ample vacation and personal days to maintain a health work-life balance
• Tuition Reimbursement: Support for your ongoing education and career development
• Commute/Parking Incentives: Financial incentives for your daily commute
• Comprehensive Insurance: Access to excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance packages
• Gym Reimbursement: Stay healthy with our gym membership reimbursement program
• Team Bonding: Participate in company and team bonding events that foster a collaborative work environment

Join us at SDFCU and be part of a team that values excellence, innovation, and professional growth.

SDFCU is seeking a VP, Risk Management to lead and oversee the organization's risk management function, with a focus on Loss Prevention, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and Compliance. This key leadership role will work across the organization to establish a comprehensive, proactive, and resilient risk management framework that safeguards SDFCU's assets, protects member data, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements. The VP will report directly to the CFO and collaborate closely with the executive team, board of directors, and other departments to create a culture of risk awareness and maintain the credit union's safety and soundness. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in managing compliance risks, preventing financial crimes, and maintaining an enterprise-wide risk management strategy. They will also have a proven track record of working in highly regulated environments and a deep understanding of the risks that affect credit unions and financial institutions. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Oversee the development and execution of risk management strategies, including loss prevention, enterprise risk management, and compliance
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of risk professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration
• Serve as primary POC for risk-related matters, advising the CEO, executive leadership team, and BOD on risk management issues 
• Lead efforts to prevent, detect, and investigate fraud, financial crimes, and security incidents across SDFCU's operations 
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements, including NCUA, CFPB, BSA/AML, and GDPR, while overseeing the preparation of risk management reports
• Establish and maintain an enterprise-wide risk management framework to assess and manage financial, operational, regulatory, and reputational risks
• Develop and implement training programs to promote a risk-aware culture and ensure staff are knowledgeable about the credit union's risk management policies 

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES 

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree and/or relevant professional certifications (e.g., FRM, CRM, CISSP, CISM, or similar) is highly preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in risk management within a financial institution, with at least 5 years in a leadership or executive role overseeing loss prevention, compliance, and enterprise risk management
• Proven experience in identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial, operational, and compliance risks, particularly in a credit union or similar regulated environment
• Deep understanding of credit union operations, financial products and services, as well as knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements (NCUA, Dodd-Frank, etc.)
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build and motivate a high-performing team and collaborate effectively across departments
• Proven success in developing and implementing enterprise risk management strategies
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex risk concepts in a clear, concise, and actionable manner
• Deep understanding of fraud prevention techniques
• Proficiency in risk management frameworks (e.g., ERM, NIST, ISO 31000) and risk management software
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive, data-driven approach to identifying and mitigating risks