The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Stearns Bank National Association “Stearns Bank” oversees the strategic and day-to-day operational activities, including Stearns Bank products and services, customer experience, information technology and security, core operations and internal processes, and business development and acquisition functions of the organization to attain our company’s strategic goals. This position provides the leadership, management and vision necessary to ensure Stearns Bank and its affiliates have the most effective and advance operational efficiencies, proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, systems and technological resources in place to effectively grow profitably, safely and soundly to ensure financial strength and operating efficiency.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Establish the company’s operational and technological vision to align with the strategic direction established by the Board of Directors.
• Provides day to day leadership to the operational and IT service areas.
• Responsible for the measurement and effectiveness of all processes internal and external. Provides timely, accurate and complete reports on the operating condition of the company and its affiliates.
• Spearhead the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes.
• Collaborate with bank management to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes, and human resources designed to accommodate growth objectives.
• Serve as Stearns Bank’s Brand Champion, working with the executive management team, bank leadership, and bank marketing chief to ensure consistent brand message throughout all product and service offerings and corporate communications as defined and prioritized by executive management and bank strategy.
• Works in a collaborative and consultative fashion with other executive management and all staff at every level of our company.
• Support the Bank innovation and technology initiatives to achieve maximum efficiencies and advance our strategic plan and priority initiatives.
• Establish and maintain strong bank relationships and management collaboration through multi-faceted approaches to and frequency communication with bank leadership.
• Manage the M&A project team, effectively integrating new mergers and acquisitions.
• Assist in establishing and managing operational, IT, and marketing budgets.
• Maintain knowledge of industry, economic and governmental trends, advancements, and activity.
• Motivate and lead a high-performance management team; assist in designing and providing opportunities for career development for management and ensure development and growth for all staff.
• Represent Stearns Bank with regulators and auditors, vendors, customers, referral sources and potential business relationships.
• Participate in the development of corporate strategy and ensure alignment of operational functions, systems, processes and efficiencies.
• Collaborate with peers at executive and management level to provide unified leadership to the organization in achieving strategic objectives.
• Serve on the IT Steering Committee, SBA Audit & Compliance Committee, Marketing Oversight, Enterprise Risk Management Committee, and Audit Committee.
• Manage and review service level agreements, measuring performance and service delivery to ensure best-in-class vendor arrangements to deliver best-in-class products and services to customers.

Stearns Bank has earned itself a stellar reputation amongst customers and competitors alike. This reputation goes beyond just word-of-mouth, as Stearns has been recognized by the Independent Community Banker’s Association (ICBA) as the #1 top-performing bank in the nation over a based on the 3-year average Return on Assets for banks $1 billion or more. They have also been recognized by American Banker as the #1 top-performing bank in the nation over a 3-year period for Return on Equity for banks from $2 billion to $10 billion.

As a 2017 & 2018 recipient of the Minnesota Business Magazine 100 Best Places to Work in Minnesota award, Stearns takes pride in their team and holds their employees in extremely high regard. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package including our Employee Stock Ownership Program-one of the best long-term incentive programs in the nation.