Chief Operating Officer

Position Summary:

Prevail Bank is seeking a dynamic and forward‑thinking Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the bank’s technology, digital, payments, operations, and innovation strategy. This executive will be responsible for driving operational efficiency, enhancing the digital customer experience, and ensuring the bank’s infrastructure supports scalable, secure, and compliant growth. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with deep experience in banking operations, payments, IT governance, and digital transformation.

This position will work closely with decision makers in other departments to identify, recommend, develop, implement and support cost‑effective technology solutions for all aspects of the organization.

This position is part of Prevail Bank’s executive management team, and will help determine the bank’s long‑term direction, policies and procedures, and addresses other strategic issues. General expectations of executive management are listed below.

• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to overall business strategy and execution.
• Lead the development and execution of the bank’s technology roadmap
  , aligning IT and operations with business goals.
• Champion a culture of innovation
  , continuous improvement, and customer‑centric thinking.
• Methodically plans, analyzes and schedules multiple interrelated tasks and / or initiatives based upon their value, scope, schedule and resource requirements.

• Oversee all IT functions including infrastructure, cybersecurity, core banking systems, digital banking platforms, and vendor management.
• Drive the adoption of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, automation, cloud computing) to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.
• Ensure robust cybersecurity and data governance frameworks are in place and compliant with regulatory standards.
• Coordinate and facilitate consultation with stakeholders to define business and system requirements for new technology implementations.
• Define and implement the bank’s operational resilience strategy, including Disaster Recovery and Incident Response, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and risk appetite.
• Stay abreast of ongoing changes and industry innovation via banking publications, working/networking groups, or industry round tables, and any other sources of knowledge.

• In conjunction with managers of the various areas, lead all bank operations including deposit and loan operations, payments, and back‑office functions.
• Optimize operational workflows to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance service delivery.
• Implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track operational effectiveness and service quality.

• Collaborate with Risk, Fraud, Compliance, and Audit teams to ensure operational and IT activities meet regulatory and internal control requirements.
• Lead business continuity planning and disaster recovery strategies for operational resilience.

• Build and mentor high‑performing teams across IT and operations.
• Foster cross‑functional collaboration and a culture of accountability, innovation, and service excellence to support the bank’s sales culture.
• Manage staffing, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation and disciplinary actions of direct reports.
• Ensure back‑ups are trained and functional for all key positions.

• Clear expectations are set for staff, and they are held accountable.
  • Develop staff and develop career paths for individuals with high potential and initiative.
  • Proactive management of underperformers is necessary.
  • Ensure adequate training is done for new hires.
• Ensure staff engagement with technology remains high.
• Focus main department initiatives and goals on strategic planning action plans and high‑priority items set by the board and senior management. Manager success is based on how the department does at hitting these goals.
• Ensure the department knows how they impact the mission and vision and how they play a key role in that success.
• Continue to evolve processes…