Chief Banking Officer at Sauk Valley Bank – Sterling, Illinois

SUMMARY

The Chief Banking Officer (CBO) serves as a key strategic leader, providing the vision, direction, and enterprise-wide growth strategy needed to advance Sauk Valley Bank’s mission of delivering an exceptional, high-touch customer experience. This role ensures the bank maintains strong operational controls, effective reporting, and a disciplined approach to growth. The CBO builds and empowers high-performing teams, ensures the right talent and systems are in place to support expansion, and balances hands-on leadership with strategic foresight. This leader is also responsible for championing a culture of compliance, ensuring adherence to all SVB policies as well as state and federal regulations. Through innovative thinking, strong execution, and a deep commitment to customer delight, the CBO plays a critical role in shaping the bank’s success and long-term imp

• KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Develop and execute strategic plans to drive deposit growth across all customer segments
• Collaborate with senior leadership to set annual business objectives, branch and department performance targets, and market expansion strategies
• Evaluate market trends, customer needs, and competitive positioning to identify new opportunities for growth
• Foster a relationship-driven culture rooted in delighting the customer, trust, and long-term customer partnerships
• Promote collaboration across business lines to deliver a seamless, unified experience for customers at every touchpoint
• Drive training, coaching, and recognition that reinforce a culture of exceptional service and accountability
• Lead and inspire a high-performing team, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and purpose-driven execution, while developing future leaders and succession plans
• Assure the marketing team’s support of all communities and product channels of the bank.
• Assist with the initiatives to enhance the bank’s reputation as a trusted, community-focused financial partner
• Partner with the commercial lending team and market leadership to grow treasury relationships and deepen existing customer engagement
• Lead and enhance the private banking/wealth service model focused on high-net-worth individuals, centers of influence and business owners
• Oversee all aspects of consumer banking, including branch operations, customer experience, sales performance, staffing, training, and electronic banking adoption
• Build and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, local business leaders, and advocacy groups to support and empower the bilingual community

The position of Chief Banking officer is responsible for the supervision of the VP Retail Banking District Leaders

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance or a related field
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or related field a plus but not required
• 10+ years of experience in the banking or financial services industry, including proven leadership in strategic planning business development.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and decision-making skills; ability to manage change and execute long-term strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop teams, manage complexity, foster collaboration, and drive organizational culture
• Proven track record of success in leadership as a senior executive
• Thorough understating of banking regulations, risk management and compliance requirements
• Proven ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities

The incumbent must be able to perform this position safely, without endangering the health or safety to him/her or others.

Sauk Valley Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SVB is committed to the provision of equal opportunity employment for all qualified persons in all job classifications in recruitment, selection and promotion without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, military status, veteran status or any other protected status. Submission of this information is voluntary and is not considered in employment decisions. This information will be kept separate from the employment files and is considered confidential.

Sauk Valley Bank offers medical, short term disability, long term disability, life, vision, dental and 401K benefits to all full time positions. PTO will vary depending on the level of the position. This position is not eligible for incentive.

Management reserves the right to change this position description at any time according to business needs.

Salary Range: $135,000.00 - $165,000.00 annually depending on experience

February 6, 2026