Chief Operating Officer

Summary of position:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a member of the executive leadership team responsible for the Bank's retail banking network, deposit operations, and treasury management business. The COO leads branch performance and customer experience, the operational processing behind every deposit account and payment, and the sales and servicing of treasury management products to commercial clients. The role drives core deposit and fee income growth while keeping operations efficient, well controlled, and compliant, and leads the operational side of system conversions and acquisitions. The COO serves on the Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) and other committees as assigned.

Key job functions: (Includes current duties, primary objectives, and responsibilities which are critical to the successful performance of the position)

Strategy & Deposit Growth

• Develop and execute the Bank's retail, deposit, and treasury management strategy in support of the strategic plan.
• Own core deposit growth, deposit mix, and non-interest income goals, partnering with the CFO & Chief Lending Officer through ALCO on deposit pricing and funding needs.
• Partner with lending leaders so commercial and consumer loan relationships include full deposit and treasury relationships.
• Partner with the Chief Legal Officer on marketing campaigns, digital banking, new products, and technology that support deposit growth and customer experience.

Retail Banking

• Oversee the Director of Retail Banking and the branch network, including branch performance, sales and service standards, staffing models, and branch operations.
• Set and track branch goals for deposit growth, account acquisition, customer retention, and service quality.
• Ensure branches operate within policy and regulatory requirements, including cash controls, branch security, and customer complaint handling.
• Evaluate branch strategy, including openings, consolidations, hours, and delivery channels, and bring recommendations to the President & CEO.

Deposit Operations

• Oversee the Director of Deposit Operations and centralized deposit processing, including account opening and maintenance, ACH, wires, debit cards, item processing, exceptions, and dormant accounts and escheatment.
• Ensure compliance with deposit and payment regulations, including Regulations CC, D, DD, and E, NACHA rules, and UDAAP.
• Oversee fraud prevention, disputes, and loss management for deposit and payment activity, coordinating with the BSA Officer on suspicious activity.
• Manage core processing and deposit vendor relationships in partnership with IT.

Treasury Management

• Oversee the Director of Treasury Sales and the Director of Treasury Operations, setting treasury management sales, revenue, and client retention goals.
• Lead the treasury management product set, including cash management, remote deposit capture, positive pay, ACH origination, and wire services.
• Ensure treasury onboarding, implementation, and servicing are accurate and timely, and that ACH origination and other treasury exposures are underwritten, limited, and monitored.

Risk, Controls & Operational Excellence

• Maintain policies, procedures, and internal controls for all areas of responsibility, and resolve audit and exam findings on time.
• Measure operational efficiency, accuracy, and service levels, and drive process improvement and automation.
• Maintain business continuity plans for retail, deposit, and treasury operations in coordination with IT.
• Lead the operational side of core system conversions and acquisition integrations.

Leadership & Other Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and hold accountable the retail, deposit operations, and treasury leadership team, and build succession for key roles.
• Prepare and manage the budget for areas of responsibility.
• Represent the Bank in the community and industry to enhance its image and reputation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Advanced knowledge of retail banking, deposit operations, payments, and treasury management products
• In-depth knowledge of deposit and payment regulations, including Regulations CC, D, DD, and E, NACHA rules, and UDAAP
• Proven ability to grow core deposits and fee income through sales leadership and accountability
• Strong command of operational risk, internal controls, and fraud prevention
• Strategic thinker who balances growth, efficiency, and customer experience
• Ability to lead, train, and develop leaders across multiple functions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presenting to the Board and regulators

Qualifications:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.
• Accredited ACH Professional (AAP), Certified Treasury Professional (CTP), or completion of a graduate school of banking preferred.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum ten years of progressive senior leadership experience in bank operations, retail banking, or treasury management, preferably at a $1 billion+ bank
• Demonstrated success growing deposits and treasury management revenue
• Experience leading core conversions or acquisition integrations preferred

Physical Demands: These physical demands are generally representative of the position.

• Hearing, speech, close vision
• Sitting, including computer use
• Driving with own transportation to other branches for meetings/workshops
• On occasion, may be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Job responsibilities may include standing, walking, lifting, kneeling and crouching

Sovereign Bank is an Equal Opportunity EmployerNOTE: Sovereign Bank does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Sovereign Bank, and Sovereign Bank will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.