Chief Risk Officer (CRO)

Organization: Sezzle Bank ILC

Location: Utah, USA

Employment Type: Full-time | On-site

About Sezzle:

With a mission to financially empower the next generation, Sezzle is revolutionizing the shopping experience beyond payments, blending cutting-edge tech with seamless, interest-free installment plans that make shopping smarter and more accessible. We're not just transforming payments; we're redefining how people discover, interact with, and purchase the things they love while driving real impact on merchant sales through increased conversions and higher order values. As we continue to shape the future of fintech and retail, we're building an innovative, dynamic team passionate about creating more than just a transaction but a truly unique shopping journey. If you're excited about pushing boundaries in tech and delivering a game-changing experience for consumers and merchants alike, come join us at Sezzle and help create the future of shopping!

About Sezzle Bank ILC:

Sezzle Bank ILC is a de novo Industrial Loan Company in formation, chartered in Utah and wholly owned by Sezzle Inc. The Bank will serve as the regulated banking entity supporting Sezzle's consumer financial products, with a strategic focus on responsible lending, financial innovation, and exceptional customer experience. We are building a best-in-class team to stand up a safe, sound, and compliant institution from the ground up.

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly experienced Chief Risk Officer to develop and maintain an effective second-line risk management framework for Sezzle Bank ILC. The CRO will measure and manage credit, market, liquidity, operational, compliance, technology, and model-related risks across the Bank. This role reports to the CEO with a secondary reporting line to the Board Risk and Compliance Committee.

What You'll Do:

• Define enterprise-wide risk management strategies, policies, and risk appetite frameworks.
• Identify, measure, monitor, and report on risk across the Bank and ensure compliance with established risk limits.
• Serve as the primary interface for all risk program communication to the Board Risk and Compliance Committee.
• Identify emerging areas of risk, including potential risks associated with proposed new products and services.
• Oversee the Bank's CISO to ensure information assets, sensitive customer data, and technologies are protected; ensure the CISO reports routinely to the Board or appropriate committee.
• Oversee the Bank's second-line compliance risk management function, including complaints handling and emerging regulatory and consumer compliance requirements.
• Serve as (or oversee) the CRA Officer, ensuring the Bank meets its community reinvestment obligations.
• Oversee the BSA Officer; ensure BSA/AML/OFAC policies, procedures, risk assessments, and controls are properly designed and operationally effective.
• Develop and maintain a model governance framework that includes independent model validation processes.
• Communicate with regulators and address regulatory inquiries and examination activities.
• Provide support and insight to the Bank's audit program, including addressing audit findings and remediation efforts.

What We Look For:

• 15–20+ years of banking or financial services experience, with significant time in risk management, credit, compliance, or audit.
• Minimum 7–10 years in a senior risk leadership role (CRO, SVP Risk, or equivalent) at a regulated financial institution.
• Deep knowledge of enterprise risk management frameworks, banking regulatory requirements, and second-line governance.
• Experience managing compliance, BSA/AML, OFAC, CRA, and cybersecurity risk programs.
• Strong communication skills with Board-level risk reporting experience.
• Located in Utah or willing to relocate to Utah.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or Mathematics; Master's degree preferred.
• FRM (GARP), CAMS, CRCM, or CPA certification highly valued.
• Experience with model risk governance and CECL/stress testing frameworks.

About You:

• You have relentlessly high standards — many people may think your standards are unreasonably high. You are continually raising the bar and driving those around you to deliver great results. You make sure that defects do not get sent down the line and that problems are fixed so they stay fixed.
• You're not bound by convention — your success—and much of the fun—lies in developing new ways to do things.
• You need action — speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk-taking.
• You earn trust — you listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat others respectfully.
• You have backbone; disagree, then commit — you can respectfully challenge decisions when you disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. You have conviction and are tenacious. You do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion. Once a decision is determined, you commit wholly.
• You deliver results — you focus on the key inputs and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion. Despite setbacks, you rise to the occasion and never settle.

What Makes Working at Sezzle Awesome:

At Sezzle, we are more than just brilliant engineers, passionate data enthusiasts, out-of-the-box thinkers, and determined innovators. We believe in surrounding ourselves with only the best and the brightest individuals. Our culture is not defined by a certain set of perks designed to give the illusion of the traditional startup culture, but rather, it is the visible example living in every employee that we hire.

Compensation:

Compensation is market-competitive and commensurate with experience. Specific compensation offered to a candidate will be dependent on factors such as education, experience, qualifications, and alignment with market data.

Perks & Benefits:

• Unlimited PTO, volunteer hours and sabbatical
• Life, STD/LTD, medical, dental and vision insurance
• Highly discounted LifeTime gym membership
• 401k with match
• Collaborative fun co-workers
• The opportunity to join the fastest growing FinTech alongside a team of motivated and driven individuals

CCPA Disclosure:

Sezzle Inc. is committed to protecting the privacy of our job applicants. In compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), we inform California residents about the personal information we may collect, the purposes for its collection, and your rights under the CCPA. For details about the categories of personal information we collect and your rights under the CCPA, please visit the California Office of the Attorney General's CCPA page. By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this CCPA disclosure.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Sezzle Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status. Sezzle recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting our mission.