Funding, Derivatives & Investments Strategist - Vice President

Position Summary:  The Vice President – Funding, Derivatives and Investments Strategies is responsible for leading the Bank’s strategic investment initiatives, funding optimization, and derivative risk management programs. This role is critical in optimizing balance sheet performance, managing interest rate and liquidity risk, and supporting long-term financial sustainability including a leadership responsibility in vetting potential acquisitions. The VP-Funding, Derivatives and Investments Strategies ensures alignment between asset-liability strategies and enterprise risk objectives, while maximizing franchise value and shareholder return through innovative funding and investment solutions. This professional has a strong expertise in securities markets, funding structures, compliance regulations and derivative instruments, along with solid leadership and analytical capabilities. 

Essential Functions:

Investments:

• Oversee the Bank’s investment portfolio, including selection of securities, securities accounting and valuation, pledging and performance monitoring, in conjunction with the Chief Investment Officer (CIO).
• Lead analysis and execution of investment opportunities across fixed income and structured products, in conjunction with the CIO.
• Collaborate and align investment strategies with liquidity, interest rate risk and capital planning strategies, with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and other internal stakeholders.

Funding Strategies & Liquidity Management:

• Develop and implement funding strategies that balance cost efficiency with long-term franchise value through enhancement of existing sources and development of new initiatives.
• Develop deposit strategies that enhance customer acquisition and loyalty through bundled products and digital interfaces including exploring third-party partnerships.
• Manage internal deposit rate setting and wholesale funding sources, including integration with contingency funding plans.
• Manage and monitor wholesale funding markets for opportunities to diversify sources and minimize funding costs.
• Identify new and emerging sources of wholesale funding sources.
• Develop and maintain relevant funding and liquidity dashboards for daily monitoring and overviews for senior management.
• Assist senior management in exploring and developing digital asset strategies including use of stablecoins or tokenized deposits.

Derivative Strategies & Risk Management:

• Design, implement, and manage derivative hedging strategies to mitigate interest rate and liquidity risks. Responsible for documentation of hedging strategies and necessary information to comply with hedge accounting treatment.
• Ensure compliance with the Bank’s Derivative Instrument Policy and regulatory guidelines.
• Oversee accounting for derivatives, including rate locks, forward sales commitments, and servicing rights.
• Coordinate with Controllers, Wholesale Lending, Credit Administration and Union Investment Management Group to manage hedging activities and ensure transparency amongst the teams.
• Oversee management of interest rate risk including measurement, stressing and reporting along with operation of the asset/liability model.

Committee Leadership & Reporting:

• Participate as a member in various Bank committees including Enterprise Risk Management Committee, Derivative Instruments Committee, Investment Committee and Risk Advisory Group and chair the Asset/Liability Committee.
• Prepare and present reports to senior management, the Board, and regulators on interest rate risk, derivative activities, funding strategies, enterprise risk indicators and various committees as assigned.

General:

• Participate in preparing information and analyses for annual financial statement audit and regulatory examination.
• Engage with senior management on assessments of potential acquisitions and participation in due diligence procedures.
• Participate in annual budgeting process as it relates to investments, funding and derivative strategies.
• Complete ad hoc projects for CFO and Senior Management.
• Develop, recruit, train, and supervise assigned team members.
• Ensure direct and indirect reports are trained and comply with Bank policy, laws and regulations applicable to their roles.  Monitor subordinates’ adherence to internal controls and take action to address employee performance issues.
• Understand and adhere to all Bank policies, laws and regulations applicable to their role. Complete compliance training: follow internal processes and controls as required.
• Report all compliance issues, violations of law or regulations in accordance with the steps defined in Bank policies.
• Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Perform other job-related duties or special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, or related field; MBA or CFA certifications preferred
• CPA or CFA certification required.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in asset-liability management and liquidity management within banking.
• Thorough knowledge of Asset-Liability management function, liquidity sources, financial markets and products, interest rate swaps and other derivative products, the Bank’s lending and deposit products and the applicable regulatory environment.
• Proven leadership and effective direction of work a work team or department as well as in committee settings and cross-functional collaboration.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products and other financial software.
• Valid Nebraska driver’s license.

Preferred Talents:

• Strong analytical, communication, and strategic planning skills
• Highly accurate and detailed
• Proven organizational skills
• Self-directed and takes initiative
• Time efficient and deadline driven
• Independent with good judgment
• Proven strong decision-making skills 
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Highly developed presentation and negotiation skills
• Positively promotes the Bank’s customer service philosophy

Working Environment:

• Indoor work – not exposure to outdoor elements or hazards
• Some sedentary work and occasional lifting and/or carrying up to ten pounds
• Some travel may be required
• This role is eligible for hybrid work from home opportunity under the work from home guidelines upon completion of onboarding 

PLEASE VIEW THE APPLICANT TERMS & CONDITIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH YOUR APPLICATION.