VP Operations

About the role

The Vice President of Operations provides leadership and strategic direction for the Bank's operations function, serving as a trusted point of contact for both the Bank's correspondent banking clients and its internal calling officer (“Road Warrior”) team. This role oversees the daily delivery of correspondent banking services, such as proprietary electronic banking platforms, image exchange, ACH, wire transfers, coin/currency, and Federal Reserve services. The role ensures activities are conducted efficiently, accurately, and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, while setting the standard for how Operations engages with the clients and colleagues it serves.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for correspondent bank clients on day-to-day operational service matters, ensuring issues are resolved accurately, promptly, and with a heart of gratitude for their partnership.
• Partner closely with and support the Bank's correspondent banking calling officers in the field, collaborating as one unified team so that client relationships are never disrupted by internal handoffs.
• Set the tone and standard for how the Operations team engages with client bank staff — grounded in kindness and respect, professional and solution-oriented, and holding the team accountable for the results and actions that support the Bank's role as a true correspondent partner, not merely a transaction processor.
• Provide leadership and day-to-day management of Operations staff, including Check Adjustment Specialists, Operations Technical Specialists, and other operations personnel, cultivating a workplace where every team member feels valued as the team structure is established.
• Oversee electronic/online banking platform support, including technical issue resolution and digital certificate/security administration.
• Direct image exchange operations, including cash letter processing and returned item handling.
• Oversee ACH operations, including returns, origination, and exception processing.
• Manage coin and currency services.
• Oversee domestic and international wire transfer operations.
• Manage Federal Reserve (Fed Funds) related operational functions and issue resolution.
• Ensure operational activities comply with applicable federal and state banking regulations and industry rules, including BSA/AML, OFAC, Regulation CC, Regulation E, and NACHA operating rules.
• Partner with Compliance and Risk Management to develop, implement, and maintain internal controls, policies, and procedures.
• Support and/or lead periodic risk assessments, internal audits, and regulatory examinations related to operational processes.
• Serve as a point of contact for internal audit, compliance, and regulatory examiners on operations-related matters.
• Identify operational and compliance risks; develop and implement corrective action and process improvement plans.
• Analyze operational data, client service metrics, and performance trends to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain and update operational policies, procedures, and business continuity/disaster recovery plans.
• Recruit, coach, and develop operations staff in an environment of openness and transparency; conduct performance evaluations that reinforce accountability while supporting succession planning within the team.
• Contribute to a workplace environment marked by excitement, collaboration, and mutual respect, in keeping with the Bank's core values.
• As experience and scope grow, participate in strategic planning, budgeting, and executive-level discussions alongside senior leadership.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

• Demonstrated relationship-management and client-service skills, with the ability to represent the Bank professionally to correspondent bank clients, calling officers, and internal partners.
• Working knowledge of banking operations, correspondent banking services, and applicable regulatory requirements (BSA/AML, OFAC, Regulation CC, Regulation E, NACHA rules, etc.).
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental/regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and develop a team; prior supervisory experience required.
• Ability to effectively present information to and respond to questions from managers, senior leadership, clients, customers, and examiners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify inefficiencies and recommend or implement improvements.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Contributes to a positive, inclusive work environment by actively participating in discussions and sharing knowledge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to learn quickly and adhere to policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); basic computer and 10-Key skills.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and sound judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; High School diploma or GED required.
• Relevant coursework/continuing education in banking, business, finance, or related field preferred.
• 5 or more years of relevant banking or financial services experience required; correspondent banking services preferred.
• Excellent customer service experience required, including direct experience managing client or account relationships.
• Certification in APRP, AAP, or NCP strongly preferred.
• Prior experience with regulatory compliance in a banking or financial institution setting strongly preferred.