Position Overview
The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) is responsible for leading the development and execution of the companys risk management strategy. This executive-level role ensures that all mortgage origination servicing operations and compliance risks are identified assessed and effectively mitigated. The CRO will protect the organizations reputation ensure compliance with regulatory standards and support sustainable business growth.
Responsibilities
The CRO will oversee the full scope of enterprise risk management by implementing a risk strategy that aligns with the companys goals and risk tolerance. This includes proactively identifying and prioritizing potential risks in the mortgage lending lifecycle such as credit market operational and regulatory risks and implementing strategies to minimize exposure.
This role ensures ongoing compliance with all applicable mortgage regulations including TRID QM Fair Lending AML and others. The CRO will work closely with the compliance team to ensure timely reporting adherence to legal standards and regulatory preparedness.
Another core aspect of this role is developing internal risk policies and procedures reflecting current industry best practices. The CRO will be responsible for educating and training employees in these policies and fostering a risk-aware culture across the company.
The CRO is also responsible for ongoing risk monitoring and reporting. This includes establishing key risk indicators (KRIs) tracking performance metrics related to risk and presenting regular updates to Senior Management with clear insights on trends and areas of concern.
As a senior leader the CRO will engage with Managers across departments to align the risk management program with business objectives. They will also represent the organization in conversations with external auditors regulators and industry partners.
The role includes oversight of business continuity planning and crisis management. The CRO ensures the organization is prepared to respond to disruptive events and leads efforts to minimize the impact of any crises.
Qualifications
Candidates should have a bachelors degree in finance business risk management or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred. A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience is expected. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of mortgage regulations strong leadership abilities and exceptional communication skills. Professional certifications such as Certified Risk Professional (CRP) or Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) are highly valued.
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the risk culture of a growing independent mortgage lender. As CRO youll be a key part of the leadership team ensuring long-term stability and success while helping to protect the business in an evolving regulatory landscape.