Job Description

Chief Credit Officer (EVP) – Portfolio Risk & Impact Lending - Remote, OR or WA

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer, EVP

Location: Remote/Hybrid near Craft3 Office Locations (WA & OR)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Compensation: $220K-$250K with full benefits, 403b match, and tuition support. This role is eligible for an annual performance-based incentive tied to organizational and individual goals, including financial stewardship and community impact outcomes.

About Craft3

“One of the highlights of working at Craft3 was helping fund a $10M onion processing plant in a rural community I knew well, creating hundreds of jobs.”

“I am really proud of the work we do in helping support caregivers and families in by funding programs that allow parents to work full time and not break the bank trying to fund preschool, leading to better outcomes socially and economically for our children and our community.”

Acumen is honored to again partner with Craft3 – a mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that invests in people, businesses, and communities to build a more equitable and resilient economy. Through responsible lending, innovative financial products, and deep partnerships, Craft3 expands access to capital for entrepreneurs, homeowners, and communities often overlooked by traditional finance across small business, consumer, and climate lending.

With a strong balance sheet, a diverse portfolio, and a commitment to impact alongside financial sustainability, Craft3 is entering its next phase of growth, scaling its reach while maintaining disciplined credit practices that protect long-term viability.

Craft3 is a remote-first organization with beautiful offices in Portland, Seattle, and Astoria. Candidates may work from locations anywhere in the states of Oregon or Washington, with an expectation of travel being 5%.

About the Role

The Chief Credit Officer (CCO) is a pivotal executive leader who safeguards Craft3’s financial strength while helping the organization deliver on its mission. Reporting to the CEO and serving on the Leadership Committee, the CCO sets clear standards for credit risk management so Craft3 can grow responsibly and extend opportunity to more people and communities.

This role is less about maintaining a credit function and more about shaping it. Craft3 has multiple lending products and a meaningful portfolio across small business, consumer, and climate lending, and the CCO will help evolve credit philosophy, portfolio construction, and how risk is managed across the organization in partnership with a new CEO and leadership team.

Key Skills & Experiences

• Senior credit and portfolio risk leadership with a strong foundation in commercial underwriting and credit policy governance.
• Sound judgment with nontraditional borrowers – able to balance discipline and creativity to responsibly expand access to capital.
• Special assets/workouts experience and an “early warning” mindset, bringing calm, practical decision-making in complex situations.
• A collaborative integrator who strengthens partnerships across Lending, Operations, and Risk, helping teams get to “yes” when possible, and to “no” with clarity and respect.
• Mission-first credit lens that protects Craft3 and its borrowers, —distinguishing appropriate “stretch lending” from unsound risk.
• Change leadership: strengthens decision rights, reporting, and credit infrastructure without over-bureaucratizing.
• Warm, high-EQ people leader who builds trust, develops talent, and communicates effectively with executives and the Board.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The responsibilities listed below are representative of the work performed in this role and are not intended to be an exhaustive list. Responsibilities may evolve over time to reflect organizational priorities, portfolio needs, and strategic direction. Craft3 reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as necessary.

Portfolio Quality & Risk Management

• Ensure overall portfolio health by balancing prudent risk management, guarantor compliance, and mission-driven lending objectives.
• Establish and maintain loan policies, underwriting standards, procedures, and internal controls that safeguard asset quality and support strategic growth.
• Oversee portfolio monitoring, including concentrations, loan size, reserves, risk exposure, and performance trends.
• Direct the loan review function; evaluate findings and implement system-wide improvements.
• Ensure borrower covenant compliance, financial reporting standards, and ongoing commercial loan monitoring.
• Lead management of special assets, workouts, and problem credits to protect organizational interests; may serve as loan officer in select cases.
• Oversee loan approvals, modifications, waivers, and term changes within delegated authority.
• Contribute to the design and launch of new loan products and programs aligned with mission and risk tolerance.
• Oversee governance of the Allowance for Credit Losses (CECL), ensuring sound methodology, documentation, and audit readiness.
• Partner with Lending Services on servicing systems, documentation, collateral management, and vendor oversight.

Compliance, Controls & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with loan guarantees, regulatory expectations, and internal policies.
• Evaluate and strengthen controls related to asset protection, compliance, and data integrity.
• Lead portfolio reporting for Leadership, Credit Committee, and the Board, ensuring clear, accurate, decision-useful insights.
• Recommend improvements to credit, compliance, and reporting frameworks that enhance organizational performance and scalability.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Process Improvement

• Partner across Lending, Operations, Development, and Leadership to design and refine our loan origination and portfolio management processes.
• Shape enterprise-wide credit strategy, clarifying risk appetite, portfolio construction, and decision frameworks that support access to capital and long-term sustainability.
• Drive adoption of consistent credit tools, training, and workflows that improve efficiency, scalability, and execution.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner on growth initiatives, balancing innovation with sound credit judgment.
• Model inclusive leadership, shared accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Act as a steward of Craft3’s brand, values, and performance standards.

People Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing credit risk management team, fostering strong credit discipline and professional growth.
• Set clear expectations, roles, and decision rights to strengthen alignment, collaboration, and sustainable workloads.
• Build and execute a team development strategy (hiring, onboarding, training, cross-training, and succession planning) to ensure the function grows with Craft3’s portfolio and strategic priorities.
• Develop and retain talent through coaching, regular feedback, performance management, and career pathing, including identifying and supporting high-potential staff.
• Partner with lenders on structuring, underwriting, risk mitigation, and complex transactions.

Budget & Operational Oversight

• Contribute to organizational budgeting and planning processes.
• Oversee budgets for Credit Risk Management functions.

What Success Looks Like

• A strong, well-managed portfolio that supports Craft3’s mission and long-term sustainability.
• Clear, trusted credit and compliance reporting that enables timely, confident decisions.
• A respected, aligned credit culture where teams collaborate effectively to deliver access to capital with appropriate risk discipline

Building a Workplace Where Everyone Can Thrive

Craft3 is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees can thrive. We believe difference makes us stronger and that a wide range of lived experiences and perspectives helps us better partner with communities and deliver on our mission.

We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from communities historically underrepresented in finance and leadership. Craft3 is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

About Acumen

Established in 2007, Acumen Executive Search is a three-time recipient of the Portland Business Journal’s “Most Admired” award and is recognized as a leading certified woman-owned Executive Search partner in the Pacific Northwest with a global clientele. We deliver high-impact results and more than double the national average retention rates while nurturing genuine long-term relationships. Acumen works shoulder-to-shoulder with our clients to provide customized, meaningful, and proven leadership solutions that empower organizational success.

Procedure for Applying

To apply or see our other positions available, please go to Acumen Executive Search to submit a resume and brief cover letter indicating your interest in the opportunity. If our current open positions are not the right fit for you and you would like us to share relevant opportunities, please send your resume and a brief cover letter to Info@AcumenESearch.com.

Keywords

Chief Credit Officer, CCO, EVP Credit, Credit Risk, Portfolio Risk, Enterprise Risk Management, ERM, Credit Policy, Underwriting, Loan Review, Special Assets, Workout, Problem Loans, Commercial Lending, Small Business Lending, Consumer Lending, Climate Lending, Mission-Based Lending, Impact Lending, CDFI, Community Development Finance, Loan Guarantees, Compliance, CECL, Allowance for Credit Losses, Credit Committee, Board Reporting, Portfolio Monitoring, Risk Analytics, Covenant Compliance, Collateral Management, Lending Operations, Financial Services, DEI, Equity, Washington, Oregon, Remote