Chief Operating Officer

Job Description

Job Description

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at CalPrivate Bank serves as a cornerstone of executive leadership, responsible for driving operational excellence, strategic execution, and organizational cohesion across all lines of business. This role ensures the seamless integration of client experience, operational rigor, technology enablement, and regulatory compliance within a growing bank recognized for its high-touch, relationship-driven approach to banking. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and collaborating closely with the Chief Banking Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Officer, and other members of the Executive Leadership Team, the COO is entrusted with translating the Bank’s strategic vision into operational results that strengthen profitability, service quality and institutional resilience.

As a key architect of the Bank’s growth strategy, the COO will oversee the optimization of operational and technology infrastructure to support scaling to $5 billion in assets and beyond. Emphasizing innovation, the COO will champion AI-driven automation, digital transformation, and data analytics to deliver faster, smarter, and more secure banking experiences while maintaining CalPrivate’s signature personalized service.

By leading through influence, the COO fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and service excellence across the organization. They will be instrumental in implementing disciplined process improvement initiatives, ensuring the operational structures evolve in step with the Bank’s client-centric growth model and the dynamic regulatory environment. The ideal candidate will bridge strategic foresight with pragmatic execution, embrace technology as a means of quality and scale, translating corporate goals into measurable outcomes and operational sustainability.

The COO ensures the integrity and efficiency of the Bank’s day-to-day operations, balancing innovation with risk management. This includes the evaluation and enhancement of systems, workflows, and performance metrics to ensure operational scalability, speed and accuracy. A deep understanding of banking operations from commercial lending to cash management and client onboarding is critical. The COO will champion technology-enabled efficiencies while maintaining the human element that defines CalPrivate’s client experience. They will also lead efforts to streamline operations to support the Bank’s expanding footprint and diverse portfolio of clients, ensuring that growth is supported by sound infrastructure, automation, and operational readiness and resilience. Oversight of enterprise risk management, vendor governance, and business continuity planning will fall within this executive’s purview, reinforcing the Bank’s culture of safety, soundness, and compliance.

Directly overseeing the AML / CFT, Bank Secrecy Act, Fraud Management and Risk Management departments, the COO ensures all operational practices uphold rigorous standards for regulatory compliance, data integrity, and internal governance. The role requires balancing innovation with prudent risk management, ensuring that growth initiatives are grounded in sound operational controls and fiduciary responsibility.

The COO is a key driver of technological advancements within the Bank, promoting the integration of automation, data analytics, and digital tools that enhance efficiency and client engagement. This includes overseeing system implementations, vendor partnerships, and process modernization that enables the Bank to deliver faster, smarter, and more secure banking experiences.

The COO will serve as both a strategist and people‑leader developing and inspiring a high‑performing team of department heads and managers who embody the Bank’s values of integrity, accountability, and exceptional service, utilizing Key Performance and Key Risk Indicators. A strong emphasis will be placed on leadership development, talent succession, and the cultivation of a unified operational culture that promotes efficiency and embraces technology without sacrificing personalized service.

Through transparent communication and data-driven decision-making, the COO will ensure that all operational areas are aligned with the Bank’s short‑ and long‑term objectives. The successful candidate will be an approachable and empowering leader, capable of fostering engagement across levels, instilling pride in performance and modeling the “One Team” ethos that defines CalPrivate’ Culture.

Mission Critical Objectives | Year 1

Conduct a 90‑day operational assessment covering all major areas (deposits and branch operations, lending, treasury management, digital banking, risk operations, IT, vendor management, and service delivery).

Develop a growth roadmap integrating relationship-driven service with innovative operations, identifying and pursuing at least one major scalable initiative (e.g., market expansion, strategic partnership, or tech upgrade) to boost revenue or customer acquisition.

Define an operating model that connects growth goals to scalable, efficient processes and measurable outcomes.

Identify high‑impact opportunities for process automation, digital adoption, and data integration (e.g., loan origination, account opening, workflow management).

Launch at least one flagship initiative that delivers cost reduction and measurable service improvement (e.g., 20%+ faster turnaround or 15% fewer manual touches).

Align technology investments with business outcomes in partnership with IT and other units.

Improve documentation and auditability of core operational processes.

THE INDIVIDUAL

The successful candidate is a banking operations expert, leader and motivator of people who understands business with a hardwired desire to grow an institution and continually exceed expectations. This individual must be entrepreneurial and innovative, with an ability to engage and influence internal stakeholders at all levels as well as external constituents including shareholders, stakeholders and regulators. Most importantly, the candidate must have a positive attitude and a strong work ethic, a proactive approach, be team‑centric, display high integrity, and strong moral and ethical compass, as well as reasoned and thoughtful judgment, a sense of urgency and passion for the business, and a balance between strategic and tactical skills. This individual must be curious and have a competitive desire to succeed. We are looking for someone who wants to make a difference and isn’t afraid of getting into the details to develop a deep understanding of the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities for the Bank and the Team.

Professional Experience + Qualifications

Minimum of 15 years of progressive senior leadership in operations within complex financial institutions (e.g., regional or national banks), with diverse experience in commercial banking, digital transformation, and scalable growth.

Proven track record of technology‑led scaling, including implementations that reduce costs by 20%+ while improving service in regulated environments.

Deep expertise in risk management framework and regulatory compliance within financial services, with hand‑on experience developing documented, auditable processes that integrate technology for enhanced security and efficiency.

Experience thriving in community banking, blending high‑touch service with innovative, cost‑effective operations.

Strong skills in goal setting, budgeting, KPIs, personnel management, and committee leadership.

Excellent interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work across the organization and interact / influence / negotiate effectively at all levels of the organization.

Strong strategic business outlook and analytical and decision‑making skills.

Experience serving and leading various committees.

Current knowledge of banking‑related Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations; and national and local economic and competitive trends and conditions.

Client Service and a winning attitude must be part of your DNA.

Leadership Style + Characteristics

Leading by Example : Demonstrate urgency, accountability, servant leadership, client focus, and sound decision‑making.

Inspirational : Encouraging and inspiring colleagues and subordinates to stretch beyond what they thought they could accomplish.

Business Acumen : Knowledge of the competitive landscape, current and emerging practices, products, and services within the industry.

Professionalism : Display a level of professionalism that inspires confidence in team members and clients / prospects.

Vision and Purpose : Embrace and communicate CalPrivate’s vision, its goals and its business needs; dedicated to success; inspires and motivates.

Adaptability : Effectively lead through change and embrace innovation.

Conflict Management : Make conflicts opportunities for improvement; strives for win / win resolutions.

Client Focus : Dedicated to meeting the expectations of customers by applying first‑hand client information; establish and maintain effective client relationships while balancing the Bank’s and the client’s interests.

Ethics and Values : Adheres to code of conduct; and rewards right behaviors.

Entrepreneurial Mindset : Innovative, proactive, team‑centric, with high integrity, curiosity, and a competitive drive to succeed and make a difference.

Education + Certifications

Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, finance, operations management, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.

Relevant certifications (e.g., in risk management, compliance, or technology) are a plus.

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