Job Description

Responsible for leading the corporate finance function of the Credit Union, including mergers and acquisitions, debt issuance, investment portfolio management, and balance sheet strategy. This role partners with executive leadership and the Board to advance Sunward's long-term vision through market expansion, capital strategy, and analytical insight that informs strategic decision-making.

This role owns the development and enhancement of analytical reporting across the finance function and provides direct support to management and Board ALCO initiatives, including asset/liability management strategy. Partners closely with the VP, Finance and cross-functional teams to deliver timely, decision-grade analysis that drives Sunward's growth, financial strength, and competitive positioning.

Essential Functions

• Lead the evaluation and execution of mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnership opportunities, including financial modeling, due diligence, valuation, deal structuring, and integration planning.
• Manage the Credit Union's debt issuance and capital markets activity, including borrowings, secondary capital strategies, and related counterparty relationships.
• Oversee investment portfolio strategy and execution, ensuring alignment with policy, liquidity requirements, interest rate risk tolerance, and earnings objectives.
• Drive balance sheet strategy and optimization, including capital planning, funding strategy, and earnings/risk trade-off analysis.
• Support market expansion initiatives through financial analysis, business case development, market sizing, and post-launch performance tracking.
• Translate Sunward's strategic plan and long-term vision into financial frameworks, scenarios, and recommendations that guide executive and Board decision-making.
• Lead the development, enhancement, and ongoing ownership of analytical reporting tools, dashboards, and models across the corporate finance function.
• Support management and Board ALCO with asset/liability management analysis, interest rate risk modeling, liquidity scenarios, deposit and loan behavior studies, and strategic recommendations.
• Prepare and present analyses, recommendations, and findings to executive leadership, ALCO, and the Board of Directors.
• Partner with Accounting, Treasury, Risk, and Strategy teams to ensure alignment of corporate finance activities with the broader organization.
• Maintain deep expertise in financial institution regulatory requirements, capital frameworks, investment guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with external counterparties, including investment broker/dealers, correspondent lenders, regulators, auditors, and advisors.
• Lead continuous improvement of corporate finance processes, models, and analytical capabilities to enhance accuracy, scalability, and decision support.
• Translate organizational vision and strategy into departmental execution, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and alignment with Sunward's values.

Requirements

Experience

• Minimum 7 years' experience in corporate finance, treasury, investment banking, capital markets, or a related field.
• Financial services or credit union experience preferred, with direct exposure to balance sheet management, investment portfolios, or M&A.
• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting M&A transactions, capital markets activity, or institutional investment portfolios.
• Advanced proficiency with financial modeling, valuation, and scenario analysis.
• Experience supporting ALCO or asset/liability management processes preferred.
• Advanced proficiency with MS Office applications, with an expert level of proficiency in Excel. Experience with ALM, treasury, or investment management platforms a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new software programs as required.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or related field.
• MBA, CFA, or CTP designation preferred.

Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of corporate finance principles including capital structure, debt issuance, investment management, and balance sheet strategy.
• Strong understanding of M&A processes including valuation, due diligence, deal structuring, integration planning, and post-close performance tracking.
• Deep knowledge of asset/liability management concepts, including interest rate risk, liquidity risk, net interest margin analysis, and behavioral modeling.
• Strong understanding of financial institution / credit union regulatory requirements, including capital adequacy, NCUA frameworks, and investment policy guidelines.
• Working knowledge of investment portfolio strategy, fixed income markets, derivatives concepts, and counterparty risk.
• Knowledge of financial modeling, scenario analysis, stress testing, and forecasting methodologies.
• Understanding of strategic planning processes and how corporate finance supports long-term organizational vision and market expansion.
• Knowledge of analytical reporting design, BI / data visualization tools, and reporting automation best practices.
• Awareness of cross-functional impacts of corporate finance decisions, including effects on member experience, growth, earnings, and capital.
• Basic knowledge of Credit Union products, services, features, and member needs.

Skills/Abilities

• Possesses superior interpersonal skills. Demonstrates daily the Credit Union's commitment to maintaining a close and caring touch with its members.
• Able to professionally represent the Credit Union to investors, broker/dealers, regulators, auditors, strategic partners, management, and staff.
• Possesses strong leadership skills. Consistently models leadership, organizational values, and service quality standards and principles.
• Functions well within cross-functional teams. Collaborates proactively with team members in developing and achieving common goals.
• Possesses exceptional communication skills, including active listening and the ability to translate complex financial analysis into clear, decision-grade recommendations for executive and Board audiences.
• Skilled in communicating effectively with key stakeholders and leveraging critical relationships.
• Exhibits superior problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Possesses strong technical financial modeling and quantitative analysis skills.
• Able to deal with complex problems involving multiple variables and ambiguous information in non-standardized situations.
• Exceptional organizational skills. Able to prioritize multiple high-priority projects and deadlines while managing resources with little direction.
• Able to read, analyze, and interpret financial publications, regulatory guidance, and technical materials.
• Able to measure performance through analytics and transform results into actionable strategy.
• Understands and applies team and department best practices and continually works for process and service improvements.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Work is performed in a professional office environment with minimal physical risk.
• Role requires regular use of computer systems and financial software tools.
• Position involves frequent interaction with internal teams, leadership, ALCO members, the Board of Directors, regulators, and external partners.
• Environment may include periods of increased workload and deadlines, particularly during ALCO cycles, Board reporting, capital actions, and M&A activity.
• May require flexibility in work hours to meet business needs and critical reporting deadlines.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Frequently operates a computer and other standard office equipment (e.g., keyboard, mouse, phone).
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, via video, and over the phone.
• Occasionally moves about the office to attend meetings and collaborate with team members.
• May occasionally lift or move items up to 10–15 pounds (e.g., files, office materials).