Chief Operating Officer

AVANA CUSO, LLC

Chief Operating Officer

United States | Executive Leadership | Financial Services

About AVANA CUSO

AVANA CUSO is a dynamic and growing credit union service organization operating across a global footprint. We deliver innovative financial services solutions that put people first — our members, our partners, and our people. As we scale, we are looking for an exceptional leader to serve as our Chief Operating Officer: someone who combines operational rigor with rare human intelligence, and who has the presence, empathy, and cultural fluency to unite and inspire global teams.

The Role

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Operating Officer will be the operational heartbeat of AVANA CUSO. This is a role for a leader who can translate bold strategy into disciplined execution — while simultaneously building the kind of culture and team cohesion that unlocks sustained, scalable growth. The COO will be responsible for day-to-day operations across all business units, driving performance, fostering collaboration across international offices, and ensuring our people thrive as the organization grows.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Scaling

• Own and drive end-to-end operations across all business units, establishing the infrastructure, processes, and governance frameworks required to support accelerated, sustainable growth.
• Build and continuously optimize scalable operational systems that keep pace with organizational expansion across domestic and international markets.
• Partner with the CEO and executive team on strategic priorities, translating vision into actionable operational roadmaps with clear milestones and accountability.

People Leadership & Culture

• Lead, inspire, and develop a global workforce — cultivating psychological safety, high performance, and a culture of belonging across diverse geographies and backgrounds.
• Serve as a visible, approachable, and empathetic leader who builds trust across all levels of the organization, from frontline staff to senior leadership.
• Design and implement talent development strategies that identify, grow, and retain exceptional people; champion succession planning and leadership pipelines.
• Resolve organizational friction and interpersonal dynamics with nuance, sound judgment, and genuine care — modeling emotional intelligence in every interaction.

Financial Services & Regulatory Oversight

• Apply deep understanding of financial services operations, compliance, and regulatory environments to ensure AVANA CUSO operates with integrity and resilience.
• Oversee financial performance across operations, partnering with the CFO to ensure cost discipline and capital efficiency during growth phases.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of CUSO-specific regulatory requirements, credit union governance structures, and member-centric business models.

Cross-Functional Integration

• Break down silos across technology, finance, compliance, product, and member services — ensuring seamless cross-functional execution and shared accountability.
• Facilitate executive alignment and decision-making, acting as a connective force across the C-suite.
• Drive adoption of operational metrics, KPIs, and reporting frameworks that give leadership real-time visibility into organizational health.

What We Are Looking For

The Non-Negotiables

• Exceptional emotional intelligence (EQ): You are known for your ability to read a room, build deep trust, navigate conflict with grace, and inspire loyalty. People genuinely want to work for you.
• Demonstrated track record of scaling organizations: You have taken a company — or a significant division — through meaningful growth, including scaling international or global teams.
• Financial services background: You have held senior operational or leadership roles within financial services, ideally including credit unions, CUSOs, banking, insurance, or fintech.
• Pedigree education: An MBA or equivalent advanced degree from a top-tier institution is strongly preferred.
• US-based with authorization to work in the United States.

Experience & Skills

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a senior operational or C-suite role within financial services.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and engage geographically dispersed, multicultural teams — with a management style that is people-first without compromising performance.
• Strong track record of cross-functional leadership: you have brought together teams with competing priorities and built cohesion around a common mission.
• Exceptional communicator — in the boardroom, the town hall, and one-on-one conversations. You adapt your style instinctively and make everyone feel heard.
• Experience designing and implementing governance frameworks, KPI systems, and operational performance infrastructures.
• Comfort operating in complex, fast-moving environments where strategy and execution must happen simultaneously.
• Genuine passion for mission-driven organizations and the credit union movement's commitment to member value.

What Sets the Ideal Candidate Apart

You are not just a highly capable executive — you are a multiplier. The teams around you consistently perform above their individual potential because of how you lead. You are someone people trust instinctively, someone who builds psychological safety without sacrificing accountability. You have experienced what it means to scale a company through inflection points, and you bring both the battle scars and the wisdom that come with it.

Where other COO candidates may bring analytical firepower, you bring that AND the human dimension. You are as comfortable delivering difficult feedback with compassion as you are presenting to a board. You build lasting relationships — with staff, with partners, with regulators — and your reputation follows you.

What We Offer

• A seat at the table: This is a true executive partnership with the CEO, not a support role.
• An organization at an exciting inflection point — the opportunity to shape and scale something meaningful.
• A mission that matters: AVANA CUSO is committed to expanding access to financial services and delivering real value to the communities we serve.
• Competitive executive compensation package, including base salary, performance incentives, and benefits commensurate with a senior leadership role of this scope.
• A globally connected team with an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to each other's success.