Chief Operating Officer

Mission Recruit is partnering with a growing community bank in Utah to find its next Chief Operating Officer! This is a wonderful opportunity for an experienced retail banking leader ready to take the next step, bringing the discipline and experience developed at a larger bank to a growing institution where your decisions will directly shape operations, customer experience, and the team.

Prior service as a bank COO is not required. We welcome candidates who have spent at least five years in progressively responsible banking management roles below the COO level, including leaders in retail banking, regional or district management, branch administration, and deposit or bank operations.

Our client is a community bank based in Utah, committed to expanding access to financial opportunity, and building an institution that pairs strong operating standards with responsive service and meaningful relationships with the communities it serves.

• Lead day to day retail banking and operational execution, establishing clear accountability, consistent procedures, and reliable service across customer facing and back office teams.
• Oversee branch operations, deposit operations, account opening and servicing, and customer support; strengthen coordination across in person and digital banking channels.
• Partner with bank leadership to grow and retain deposit relationships, improve customer onboarding, and deliver products and services the bank can support effectively.
• Improve workflows, staffing, training, and service standards. Use practical technology and automation to reduce errors, delays, and unnecessary manual work.
• Maintain effective operational controls, reconciliations, dual controls, and escalation procedures. Partner with compliance and risk leaders on fraud prevention, customer protection, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate operational readiness for audits and examinations, resolve findings, and maintain clear documentation of procedures and corrective actions.
• Manage operational vendor performance and support core banking, payments, digital banking, business continuity, and new product initiatives in partnership with the responsible leaders.
• Develop managers and staff, oversee operating budgets within assigned areas, and report on service quality, processing accuracy, expenses, growth readiness, and execution of strategic priorities.

• At least five years of banking management or leadership experience in one or more roles below the COO level, with direct responsibility for teams and measurable operating results. Experience may be cumulative across qualifying roles.
• Meaningful retail banking experience, including responsibility for branch operations, deposit services, customer experience, or a retail banking network.
• Demonstrated leadership of multiple branches, multiple teams, or a significant bank operations function, with experience coordinating work across departments.
• Practical knowledge of deposit operations, account opening, operational controls, and the regulatory requirements affecting retail banking.
• A record of improving processes, developing managers, resolving operational issues, and delivering projects from planning through implementation.
• Sound judgment, clear communication, and the ability to work directly with executive leadership while remaining closely involved in daily execution.

Candidates may currently serve as a Director or Head of Retail Banking;
Regional or District Banking Manager;
Director of Branch Administration;
Branch Operations Director;
Director of Deposit Operations;
Bank Operations Director; or VP or SVP of Retail Banking or Operations. Comparable titles and responsibilities are welcome. Scope of responsibility and results matter more than title.

• Experience at a larger community, regional, or national bank, with the ability to adapt established practices to a smaller, growing organization.
• Leadership of core system implementations, digital banking enhancements, operational integrations, or other significant change initiatives.
• Experience supporting deposit growth, small business banking, and strong customer retention.
• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience.

During the first year, the COO will establish clear operating priorities and performance measures, strengthen service and control standards, develop the management team, and…