The Vice President, Strategic Initiatives will play a critical role in the Credit Union’s overall enterprise strategy and growth and diversification agenda and will report to Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives. They will support the marketplace and enterprise efforts working with members of leadership teams and line of businesses leaders. The VP, Strategic Initiatives will be responsible for integration of acquisitions, new businesses and functions. The role will ensure the Credit Union is evolving enterprise capabilities to accommodate a variety of business models, providing operating model development, coordination across the broad enterprise while staying mission and strategy aligned. The VP, Strategic Initiatives will be a key member of the leadership team within Strategic Initiatives, partnering across the team to develop and manage enterprise strategic growth. They may lead integrations independently up to several millions of dollars.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

INTEGRATION

• Create a modular approach to integration - from pre-close planning to post-close implementation - that will be adapted and fit for purpose to transaction support for the Credit Union.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders within the organization.
• Procure and manage senior-level subject-matter expert support as needed to support integration and diligence.
• Define pre-close planning scope of work based on Day 1 requirements and high-value activities; drive overall program structure and engagement model, provide clear guidance on strategic intent of the transaction and pressure test workstream approaches and outputs clearing roadblocks.
• Facilitate leadership updates, framing recommendations and escalating risks/issues as needed.
• Ensure the integration is delivering against business expectations.
• Develop detailed integration plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Provide visionary leadership to guide the integration process.
• Create and execute repeatable processes for enterprise function engagement in diligence, pre-close planning and integration. Ensure the enterprise has the right capabilities, capacity, and resources to support enterprise growth and new business models.
• Partner with functional teams to efficiently extend capabilities to new acquisitions and new business models.
• Support operating model design to enable tools, services, and best practices to be adapted from core Credit Union functions to new businesses and functions. 
• Define performance metrics, standards, and methods to establish integration success. Oversee the development and assessment of strategic performance metrics to support business/integration initiatives, either function-specific or across the enterprise. Collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure cohesive and reachable targets.
• Leads and champions change management plans associated with integration by leveraging and developing key stakeholder relationships to obtain support and buy in for changes; ensures executive management, project/program champions, and business owners communicate and align improvement initiatives to guide long-term business strategy; and empowers stakeholders to embrace a change management mindset, understand intent and purpose, and foster a culture of change.
• Establish and refine methodologies for strategy translation, implementation and measurement, including identifying the business problem, evaluating potential strategies, prioritizing moves, and developing strategy roadmaps. Partners with operational teams on documenting and disseminating best practices of strategy translation into execution.
• Manage development of training and support to help employees adapt to new systems and processes.
• Serve as the central channel for integration-related communications to the Internal Communications Team.
• Ensure that these methodologies are applied consistently and effectively across the organization. Ensure the appropriate engagement of internal and external parties in all activities. This includes legal, compliance, finance, and other functions critical to the successful strategy development.

M&A ADMINISTRATION

• Develop and implement M&A strategies to support the credit union's expansion and growth goals.
• Conduct thorough due diligence on potential merger and acquisition targets, including financial analysis, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee the integration of acquired entities, ensuring seamless operational and cultural integration.
• Assist SVP with negotiations with potential partners, ensuring favorable terms and conditions for the credit union.
• Ensure all M&A activities comply with relevant regulations and internal policies.
• Maintain clear and transparent communication with internal and external stakeholders throughout the M&A process.

CUSO ADMINISTRATION

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with CUSOs to expand the credit union's service capabilities.
• Ensure all CUSO activities comply with relevant regulations and internal policies.
• Track and analyze the performance of CUSO partnerships, providing regular reports to senior management.
• Work closely with internal departments to integrate CUSO services seamlessly into the credit union's operations.
• Assist SVP with negotiating and managing contracts with CUSO partners, ensuring favorable terms and conditions.
• Identify opportunities for new CUSO partnerships that align with the credit union's strategic goals.
• Must comply with all company policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Patriot Act, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Other duties as assigned.

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree required (Business Administration, Finance or a related field preferred)

Required Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of Credit Union business functions and associated application landscape
• Setting, leading, and delivering integration and divestiture engagement objectives by defining the scope, plan, and budget across all core functions.
• Managing cross-functional teams to deliver M&A engagements across all of phases of the M&A lifecycle including due-diligence, pre-close, and post-merger integration.
• Coordinating with internal and external communications, culture, and change management teams to support integration efforts while minimizing critical attrition.

Experience Required:             

• 10 years preferred M&A, Big 4 consulting, investment banking, due diligence, or integration management.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience
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HARD/TECHNICAL Skills/Abilities:

• Deep understanding of IT systems and the ability to integrate different technological platforms
• Staying updated with industry regulations and ensuring compliance during mergers and acquisitions
• Proficiency in financial modeling and analysis to assess the financial implications of mergers and acquisitions
• Identifying and mitigating financial risks associated with mergers and acquisitions
• Ability to develop and implement long-term strategies that align with the organization's goals.
• Leading cross-functional teams and managing diverse stakeholders effectively

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Standard office conditions
• Low to moderate noise
• Limited lifting up to 10 lbs.