Chief Administrative Officer

Job Description Statement

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) serves as the executive leader responsible for the strategic direction, organizational effectiveness, and performance of the credit union's people, culture, employee development, and marketing functions. The CAO ensures the organization attracts, develops, engages, and retains top talent while cultivating a strong organizational culture and a consistent brand presence that supports employee and member experiences. The CAO collaborates closely with the Chief Executive Officer and executive leadership team to execute organizational strategy, strengthen leadership capabilities, enhance employee engagement, and advance the credit union's reputation, growth, and long-term success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

- Align people, culture, communications, and marketing strategies with the organization's mission, vision, values, and strategic plan.

- Lead enterprise initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, member experience, and organizational performance.

- Provide strategic oversight of talent acquisition, workforce planning, employee relations, compensation, benefits, performance management, compliance, and employee engagement.

- Ensure the organization develops and retains a high-performing workforce capable of supporting future growth.

- Champion leadership development, succession planning, and career pathing across the organization.

- Establish enterprise strategies for employee training, professional development, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness.

- Ensure development programs strengthen organizational capabilities and support strategic objectives.

- Oversee succession management and leadership pipeline development.

- Support a culture of accountability, development, recognition, and continuous improvement.

- Provide strategic oversight of marketing, branding, advertising, public relations, digital media, and community engagement initiatives.

- Ensure external messaging accurately reflects the organization's culture, values, and employee experience.

- Align employer branding efforts with talent acquisition and retention objectives.

- Guide communication strategies that strengthen brand awareness, member engagement, and organizational reputation.

- Foster collaboration between HR and Marketing to support recruitment, onboarding, recognition, engagement, and community involvement initiatives.

- Create strategies that position the organization as both an employer of choice and a financial institution of choice.

- Ensure organizational values are consistently reflected in internal and external practices and communications.

- Develop and monitor key performance indicators related to culture, employee engagement, leadership development, talent acquisition, brand performance, and organizational effectiveness.

- Use workforce and market data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.

- Oversee budgets and resource allocation for assigned functions.

- Evaluate organizational initiatives and drive continuous improvement efforts.

- Lead and develop direct reports, including performance evaluation, coaching, and succession planning.

- Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, including Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), OFAC and the Patriot Act, and all state and federal laws.

- Performs additional duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Provides executive leadership and oversight for assigned functions. Responsible for establishing departmental strategy, allocating resources, developing talent, and ensuring achievement of organizational objectives.

Required Performance Skills/Abilities

- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and align people, culture, brand, and business objectives.

- Ability to lead through senior leaders and build accountability across multiple functions.

- Strong business acumen with the ability to evaluate organizational decisions through operational, financial, talent, and member impact lenses.

- Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and drive adoption of strategic initiatives.

- Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with executive leadership, managers, employees, community partners, and external stakeholders.

- Strong project and priority management skills with the ability to balance multiple strategic initiatives.

- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and manage sensitive organizational matters.

- Comprehensive knowledge of employment practices, organizational development principles, marketing concepts, and strategic communications.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Marketing, Organizational Development, Communications, or related field.

- Master's degree preferred.

- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in organizational strategy, people leadership, and business performance.

- Minimum 5 years of executive or senior-level leadership experience.

- Experience developing and executing strategic initiatives that improve culture, performance, employee engagement, and organizational growth.

- Experience in financial services or other highly regulated industries preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

SHRM-CP, PHR, or equivalent HR certification required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made , in accordance with applicable laws, to perform the essential functions.

- Regularly required to sit and/or stand.

- Frequent use of hands for handling, typing, and operating standard office equipment.

- Ability to walk, hear, and verbally communication.

- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 lbs.

- Requires close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

- Able and willing to travel and work overtime as needed.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made, in accordance with applicable laws, to perform the essential functions. Work is typically performed in a moderate-noise office environment.

Intent and Function of Job Descriptions

This job description is intended to outline the primary responsibilities and minimum qualifications for the role.

Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the position. It is not an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Additional tasks may be assigned by supervisors as needed.

This role is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

Job descriptions do not constitute a contract of employment. At Champion Credit Union, employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time, for any reason not prohibited by law.