As Alaska’s largest state-chartered credit union, Credit Union 1 (CU1) is entering an exciting new phase of growth. With approximately $1.7 billion in assets, more than 400 employees, and a recent merger that expanded our presence into Alaska’s Interior, we’re growing, integrating, and increasing organizational complexity. To support that growth, we’re seeking a Chief Risk Officer (CRO) who views risk as a strategic advantage. The CRO will demonstrate a sense of urgency while exercising sound judgment, anticipating risks, and guiding the C-Suite and Board of Directors in making informed decisions aligned with organizational priorities.
This role is based in Anchorage, Alaska, and requires travel across our Alaska footprint, including Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright, Homer, and the Mat-Su. Compensation is competitive with peer credit unions of similar size and complexity and includes performance incentive eligibility.
What you own:
Enterprise risk management. Oversee and run the ERM program: risk taxonomy, risk appetite statement, key risk indicators, and a reporting rhythm the Board and the executive team actually use. Make risk a real input to strategy, budget, and product decisions.
Credit risk oversight. Partner with the Chief Lending Officer and Chief Financial Officer on portfolio quality, concentration limits, allowance methodology, stress testing, and loan policy. You provide independent challenge on credit decisions and portfolio direction.
Compliance and BSA/AML. Own the compliance management system, consumer regulations, fair lending, and the BSA/AML/OFAC program. Keep the program sized to our risk, our growth, and our regulators’ expectations.
Fraud and financial crimes. Oversee fraud prevention, detection, and loss mitigation across channels. Alaska’s fraud picture is its own animal, and members feel it personally.
Third-party and vendor risk. Own the due diligence and ongoing monitoring framework for critical vendors, fintech partners, and outsourced services.
Operational resilience. Business continuity, disaster recovery, incident response, and crisis management. In Alaska, resilience means earthquakes, weather, and single points of failure that no Lower 48 playbook anticipates.
Information security governance. Partner with the Chief Information Officer on cyber risk posture, security governance, and technology risk. You provide independent oversight, and IT owns execution.
Regulatory relations. Serve as a primary point of contact for NCUA and the Alaska Division of Banking and Securities. Manage exam preparation, findings, and remediation, and keep leadership ahead of regulatory change.
Risk culture. Make risk ownership real at the business-unit level through the three lines of defense. Frontline teams own their risk. Your team sets the framework, challenges the work, and reports the truth.
Who we are looking for:
You give a clear point of view. The CEO does not want six options and a hedge. Tell us what you would do and why, then help us decide.
You are willing to be the person in the room who says the hard thing. Independent challenge only works if you use it. We will back you when you do.
You translate. You can explain a concentration limit to a branch manager and a fair lending finding to a Board member, and both walk away understanding what matters.
You build systems, not bottlenecks. At the Chief level we expect you to build capability, talent, and structure rather than personally reviewing every file.
You lead through influence. Most of what you need to change sits in someone else’s department. Authority alone will not get it done.
You think in years. You see around corners on regulation, credit cycles, and technology risk, and you bring those horizons into today’s decisions.
Experience and credentials:
Required
- 10 or more years in risk, compliance, credit, audit, or regulatory roles in financial services, with at least 5 years leading teams.
- Direct experience with credit union or community bank regulation, including NCUA or a comparable state or federal regulator.
- Demonstrated ownership of at least two of the following: enterprise risk management, credit risk, BSA/AML, or compliance management.
- Experience presenting to a board of directors or a board-level risk or audit committee.
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience.
Preferred
- Experience in an organization going through a merger, core conversion, or rapid growth.
- Background in a state-chartered institution with dual regulatory oversight.
- Certifications such as CRCM, CAMS, CERP, CRVPM, or CIA.
- Experience in Alaska or another geographically distributed, rural-serving market.
How we work:
Our purpose is to be Alaska’s trusted financial partner, empowering people, investing in communities, and unlocking potential. Our vision is every Alaskan family, financially stronger than the generation before.
Our values shape how this role gets done:
- Driven by Care. Risk decisions affect members and employees. Decide with people in mind.
- Invested in Community. We take measured risks so Alaskans can access credit that larger institutions will not extend.
- Committed to Curiosity. Ask why before assuming. Challenge processes.
- Do What’s Right. Integrity over convenience. Raise concerns early. Protect long-term trust.
Benefits at CU1:
At Credit Union 1, we believe in life balance, which means supporting our employees both at work and when away. Eligible positions enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote overall wellbeing- financially, professionally and personally.
Health & Wellness
Credit Union 1 offers employees multiple medical plans to choose from, including PPOs and HSA-qualified plans, as well as dental, vision, and services to support overall mental and physical health.
Financial Security
Employees and their families are supported in life planning with employer-paid life insurance, disability coverage, and AD&D coverage. Voluntary plans are offered to cover critical illness, accidents, and hospital indemnity expenses. Employees participate in 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions and profit-sharing contributions.
Additional benefits support our employees’ lifestyle and family, with generous paid time off, access to CU1’s accredited early learning center in Anchorage, Alaska, employee loan and mortgage discounts, education assistance, volunteerism and community engagement opportunities within the communities we serve.
To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Credit Union 1 does not provide visa sponsorship.
Only applicants who meet the minimum requirements for this position will be considered for an interview. This position is open until filled and may close early due to the volume of applicants.
Thank you for your interest in the opportunity with Credit Union 1!
Background Screening Statement: Candidates selected for a position at Credit Union 1 will be subject to a criminal background check prior to their employment. An offer of employment may be rejected or terminated based on receipt of an unacceptable background screening.
EEO Statement: Credit Union 1 provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
E-Verify Statement: Credit Union 1 participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Credit Union 1 is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before Credit Union 1 can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer an completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that Credit Union 1 has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS at 888-897-7781 or dhs.gov/e-verify.com
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
