Chief Risk Officer - Fargo, ND

With more than 100 years of trusted service, we are a forward-thinking, community-focused bank built on strong values, customer dedication, and an extraordinary workplace culture. We're proud of our collaborative executive team and an environment that encourages leadership at every level.

We are actively seeking an experienced and visionary Chief Risk Officer (CRO) to join our Executive Leadership Team. This position is designed with a clear and supportive succession plan for our current CRO, targeting transition within 6-12 months. If you are passionate about risk leadership, regulatory excellence, and strategic growth, we invite you to consider this transformative opportunity.

Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the CRO will lead our independent Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Program and serve as a key advisor to both the CEO and the Board. As a member of the Executive Team-yet independent from first-line leadership-the CRO plays a critical role in ensuring risks are properly identified, assessed, and managed across all areas of the Bank.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a comprehensive written Risk Governance Framework that meets the CEO, Board and regulatory expectations and is commensurate with the size, complexity, and risk profile of the Bank.

• Oversee the establishment and annual update of the Risk Appetite, ongoing Risk Appetite Performance Reporting to Board and Executive Leadership, and the execution of action plans established when Risk Tolerance/Thresholds are approached or breached

• Establish enterprise policies and related procedures and processes necessary to implement the Risk Governance Framework and address how aggregate risks within the Bank are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled, consistent with the Bank's Risk Appetite.

• Oversee the establishment and execution of a Risk Assessment Program that results in risk assessment of the Bank's material activities and assists Leadership to identify current, emerging, and aggregate risks and determine if actions need to be taken to strengthen risk management or reduce risk. The Risk Assessment Program will be designed to meet regulatory expectations.

• Lead an Executive Risk Committee, chaired by the CRO, and consisting of the Bank's Executive Leadership Team and other appropriate Bank leadership appointed by the CRO. The Executive Risk Committee shall establish a charter that: (1) supports the Bank's Mission and conservative risk culture; (2) provides oversight and supports the effective execution of the Bank's Risk Governance Framework; and (3) ensures the Bank is effectively managing risks within the Risk Appetite.

• Establish and oversee a written governance framework and risk management system for developing and implementing "new activities" also known as new, expanded or modified products and services ("NEMPS"). The NEMPS Program will be designed to meet regulatory expectations for managing risks associated with "new activities."

• Establish and oversee a written governance framework and risk management system ("Vendor Management Program") for managing third party risk and compliance. The Vendor Management Program will be designed to meet regulatory expectations for managing risks associated with "new activities."

• Manage the Bank's supervisory relationship with the Office of Comptroller of Currency ("OCC") and other applicable Federal and state regulatory agencies. Coordinate the Bank's OCC regulatory exam and supervisory oversight activities.

• Lead a Risk Management Division responsible for executing aspects of the Risk Governance Framework and ensuring the Bank complies with applicable laws and regulations.

• Oversee through the Bank's Chief Compliance Officer an effective Compliance Management System and Program that meets regulatory expectations.

• Establish and Oversee through the Bank's Information Security Officer an effective Information Security Program, Incident Response Program, and Business Continuity Management Program that meets regulatory expectations.

• Oversee through the Bank's BSA Officer an effective Anti-Money Laundering/Bank Secrecy Act Program ("AML/BSA" Program) that meets regulatory expectations.

• Oversee through the Bank's SVP of Operational Risk an effective Operational Risk Management Program that effectively supports the Bank in identifying, measuring, and managing the key operational risks, including vendor risk, model risk, and fraud risk, and meets regulatory expectations.

• Oversee the Bank's coordination with outside counsel regarding pending or threatened litigation, legal notices and requests, and other Legal matters as the CEO shall assign to the CRO.

• The CRO shall establish and maintain effective communication with the Board and Executive Leadership regarding the Bank's Risk profile and any risk management and compliance matters requiring attention. Provide the Board with a written, quarterly Chief Risk Officer Report to the Board and Executive Leadership that incorporates all required reporting per the Policy and other policies of the Bank.

CERTIFICATES OR LICENSES:

Preference will be given to candidates with J.D. degree and license to practice law, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager certification (CRCM), Certified Enterprise Risk Professional (CERP), or Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).

• 100-year legacy of financial strength and community trust

• A collaborative, empowered executive team that values your voice

• An opportunity to shape the future of the Bank and drive risk excellence

• Supportive succession plan with onboarding tailored for long-term success

Ready to take the next step?

Apply now or reach out confidentially to learn more about this opportunity.