Description

Vice President of Finance

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time, In-Person

Effective August 2026

About GHS Federal Credit Union

Founded in 1940 and headquartered in Binghamton, New York, GHS Federal Credit Union serves more than 18,000 members across the Southern Tier region. Guided by the philosophy of “not for profit, not for charity, but for service,” GHS has built its reputation on financial strength, member trust, and a genuine commitment to the communities it serves — summed up in its brand promise, “The Relationship of a Lifetime.”

Position Overview

The Vice President of Finance is a senior executive leader responsible for the financial strength, operational performance, and regulatory integrity of GHS Federal Credit Union. Reporting directly to the President/CEO and serving as a core member of the executive leadership team, this role leads and integrates four critical functions through three direct reports — Accounting, Operations, and Compliance & Risk — while personally directing the credit union’s finance, treasury, and asset/liability management (ALM) strategy.

This is a builder’s role. GHS is investing in the infrastructure, systems, and leadership bench needed to support its next stage of growth, and the VP of Finance is expected to modernize financial planning and reporting, strengthen operational scalability, and ensure a mature, forward-looking risk and compliance posture — not simply maintain what exists today. The successful candidate will bring both the strategic range to partner with the CEO and Board on long-term direction, and the hands-on discipline to build durable processes, develop leaders, and drive execution.

Performance Measurement

Performance will be measured against the objectives noted above, as well as the following:

• Accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of financial reporting to management, the Board, and regulators.
• Financial performance of the credit union relative to plan, including net income, net worth, and key financial ratios.
• Soundness of the ALM and investment program, including compliance with Board-approved policy limits.
• Effectiveness and maturity of the compliance and risk program, and audit/examination outcomes, as led by the Director of Compliance & Risk.
• Operational efficiency and member experience outcomes within functions led by the AVP of Operations.
• Development, retention, and performance of the direct-report leadership team.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Experience

Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience within a credit union, bank, or financial services organization, including experience overseeing accounting, treasury/ALM, and financial reporting functions. Experience directly leading, or holding accountability for, operations and/or compliance functions is strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience building or scaling financial infrastructure, systems, or teams in a growing organization is a plus.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field required. CPA, CFA, or MBA strongly preferred.

Leadership

Proven ability to lead and develop other leaders, not just individual contributors — this role manages a leadership team spanning Accounting, Operations, and Compliance & Risk. Demonstrates sound judgment in balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution; builds trust and credibility with the CEO, Board, examiners, and staff at all levels. Leads with transparency, holds leaders accountable with fairness and consistency, and coaches teams to achieve individual and organizational goals.

Regulatory & Technical Knowledge

Strong working knowledge of GAAP, NCUA regulations, and credit union financial operations. Sufficient fluency in BSA/AML, fraud, and consumer compliance frameworks to provide informed executive oversight of the compliance function, without requiring day-to-day subject-matter ownership. Proficiency with financial and accounting systems, spreadsheet and modeling tools, and core banking platforms; experience with ALM/investment modeling software preferred.

Interpersonal

This position involves frequent contact with the Board of Directors, examiners, auditors, investment partners, and staff at all levels, and requires professionalism, courtesy, tact, and diplomacy. Requires the ability to engage and influence others, communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal form, and manage matters of a sensitive or confidential nature.

Other Skills

Excellent analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills. Overall knowledge of credit union programs, policies, and procedures is required. Must demonstrate the ability to lead a multi-disciplinary team, provide regular constructive feedback, and promote collaboration across departments. Maintains a high level of confidentiality regarding credit union and member information. Position requires occasional travel and extended hours for Board, examiner, or industry meetings.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires both sitting and standing for extended periods of time. The use of fingers, hands, and arms is regularly needed for keying, typing, and related tasks. Regular communication by talking and listening to members, staff, and external partners is required. Periodic lifting up to thirty (30) lbs. and occasional lifting up to fifty (50) lbs. may be required. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Employees are expected to contribute to a positive work environment and embody the GHS brand of “The Relationship of a Lifetime” through the GHS Service Standards: member focus with positivity, personal ownership and accountability, clear communication, and responsiveness. Collaboration, consistency, respect, trust, and demonstrated integrity are professional behaviors regularly required.

This job description is intended to be a guide and may not be all-encompassing; it may be amended or modified as business needs change.

GHS is an equal opportunity employer. At GHS, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. GHS believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Executive Leadership

Serve as chief financial strategist and thought partner to the President/CEO and Board of Directors, translating strategic and growth objectives into sound financial plans and actionable roadmaps.

Lead enterprise-wide financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning; direct the preparation and evaluation of departmental and organizational budgets.

Build and modernize the financial systems, reporting infrastructure, and analytical capabilities needed to support the credit union’s growth and complexity over the next five to ten years.

Evaluate the financial and risk implications of new products, delivery channels, technology investments, partnerships, and vendor relationships; model profitability and cash-flow impact.

Present financial results, forecasts, and strategic recommendations to the Board of Directors and its committees; serve as a trusted, credible voice on the credit union’s financial position.

Accounting & Financial Reporting

Direct the Accounting function through the AVP of Accounting, ensuring complete, accurate, and timely financial, statistical, and accounting records in compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements.

Ensure accurate and timely internal, Board, and regulatory financial reporting, including the NCUA Call Report (5300) and other required filings.

Oversee the annual external audit, tax filings, and relationships with external auditors and examiners; ensure audit findings are addressed thoroughly and on schedule.

Maintain strong internal controls over financial assets, safeguarding the credit union’s funds, securities, and other assets.

Treasury, Investments & Asset/Liability Management

Personally direct the credit union’s investment activities as custodian of funds, securities, and assets; manage relationships with investment brokers, correspondent institutions, and capital markets partners.

Formulate and execute investment policy; prepare and present financial forecasts and interest rate risk analysis.

Own the ALM process end to end, ensuring the balance sheet remains in compliance with ALM policy and that liquidity, interest rate risk, and capital positions are actively managed.

Evaluate and set loan and share/deposit pricing strategy to remain competitive while protecting margin and liquidity.

Operations Leadership

Provide strategic direction and executive oversight to the AVP of Operations across member-facing operational functions, including branch and call center service delivery, ATM/ITM and card operations, payments, dispute resolution, and member account services.

Partner with the AVP of Operations to set performance standards, staffing models, and workflow design that improve member experience, accuracy, and efficiency across channels.

Sponsor and prioritize technology and process investments that scale operational capacity as membership and transaction volume grow.

Compliance & Risk Oversight

Provide executive oversight and support to the Director of Compliance & Risk, who serves as the credit union’s designated BSA Officer and leads the compliance, fraud prevention, and regulatory examination programs.

Serve as an escalation point and executive sponsor for high-risk compliance, fraud, or examination matters; ensure the compliance function has the authority, resources, and independence to operate effectively.

Review compliance and risk reporting provided to the Board; ensure regulatory risk is factored into financial, product, and operational decision-making.

Partner with the Director of Compliance & Risk on regulatory examinations and audits to ensure coordinated, well-prepared institutional responses.

Team Leadership & Organizational Development

Build, lead, and develop a high-performing leadership team — currently the AVP of Operations, AVP of Accounting, and Director of Compliance & Risk — and, through them, their broader departments.

Coach direct reports to strengthen their own leadership capabilities; provide regular, direct feedback and hold leaders accountable to clear performance expectations.

Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across Finance, Accounting, Operations, and Compliance.

Identify organizational gaps and talent needs across the finance and operations structure and make recommendations to the CEO on role design, staffing, and succession planning.

Other

Write, review, and maintain financial and operational policies to ensure ongoing regulatory and policy compliance.

Other duties, tasks, and functions as assigned.