Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Who We Are

Read on to fully understand what this job requires in terms of skills and experience If you are a good match, make an application.

Alabama Ag Credit is the premier agricultural lender in southern Alabama, supporting agricultural producers, farmers, ranchers and rural America.

We are a customer-owned cooperative, providing capital to our regions' farmers & ranchers. We believe that investing in our agricultural producers will pay future dividends and our support for agriculture includes a strong investment in rural communities.

Further, we support our members through lowest rates of capital and by returning profits in the form of patronage to our members.

As a cooperative, our team of nearly 100 staff serve more than 4500 stockholders in 40 counties throughout central and southern Alabama.

Operating with the highest level of customer satisfaction and 99.13% credit quality and strong earnings, we have returned over $133 Million to our member / owners.

Alabama Ag Credit is a thriving institution, approaching $1.37 Billion in managed assets. Our 40-county territory is diverse with full-time agricultural production, some of the nation's most robust agricultural operations.

Alabama AgCredit is a part of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of borrower-owned lending institutions and specialized service organizations.

The Farm Credit System provides loans, leases, and related services to farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners, aquatic producers, timber harvesters, agribusinesses, and agricultural and rural utility cooperatives and has more than $410 billion in assets.

After nearly 30 years of service and a distinguished career of serving the Farm Credit System and America's farmers & ranchers, our President and CEO will be retiring, and the Alabama Ag Credit Board is seeking the next CEO to lead this vibrant organization into the future.

JOB OVERVIEW

The President & CEO position at Alabama Ag Credit offers an exciting opportunity to lead an organization dedicated to the success of agriculture and rural Alabama.

The President & CEO works strategically with the Association Board of Directors and the Leadership Team to advance the mission and goals of the organization.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership :

• Builds on the strong cultural foundation and actively manages the association's culture, mission, key characteristics, and critical actions.
• Collaborates with the Board of Directors to set strategic priorities and ensure the organization's long-term success.
• Facilitates effective communication with the Board to assure robust knowledge of association's operations.
• Identifies the short and long-term needs, goals, and challenges of the Association and ensures the programs and initiatives of the organization are directed toward addressing those identified.
• Provides strategic leadership to the organization through the planning of finance, accounting, technology, human resources, operations and marketplace engagement strategies and actions.
• Develops and maintains an effective marketing and business development program, develops an effective credit administration program, and maintains a quality loan portfolio.

The CEO formulates and oversees financial objectives, strategies, and policies for the Association.

Collaboration :

• Establishes and maintains a professional working relationship with other entities including the Farm Credit System, Farm Credit Bank of Texas and the Farm Credit Administration.
• Represents the Association throughout the service area, carries out various public relations responsibilities, and is an active member of the community.
• Serves as a liaison with other Farm Credit organizations leadership to assure collaborative working relationships.

Financial and Operational Management :

• In consort with the Board of Directors, the President and CEO leads the development of strategic planning and annual business planning processes to drive the overall success of the organization.
• Develops and maintain internal controls, credit policies, and appropriate credit standards and lending rates, to safeguard assets, manage risk and assure the confidentiality of information, association assets and credit policies, and the financial stability of the organization.
• Maintains appropriate financial standards and cost effectiveness by operating within sound budgetary constraints as established by the Board, while ensuring the delivery of sound credit.
• Facilitates management development and succession, proactively making necessary adjustments to maintain effective and efficient operation.

Determines appropriate staffing and compensation levels for association employees.

Ensures compliance with all regulatory statutes.

Communication and Outreach :

• Provides leadership to the association and its board of directors that will inspire the highest level of devotion to duty, team engagement, professionalism, fairness, and mutual respect.
• Promotes the association as a recognized leader in agricultural and rural finance and as a leader in the communities it serves.
• Serves as a key spokesperson for the association, representing Alabama Ag Credit at local, state and national events, as well as local and state legislative hearings.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Agricultural Economics or related field. Advanced education preferred or certificate from a graduate School of Banking preferred.
• 10+ years of successful leadership, team building, and talent development experience.
• Experience in ag-lending, preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic thinking, an understanding of financial metrics, and a track record of successfully implementing organizational strategies.
• Expert levels of ingenuity and analytical skills are required to evaluate alternatives and develop new approaches to resolving problems and assess ambiguous and / or changing facts or conditions affecting the organization.
• Requires expert interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills to lead function and ensure both external and internal stakeholders are kept abreast of functional progress.
• Plays a visible leadership role for the organization with external coalitions and audiences.
• Expert financial skill, understanding income statements, balance sheets, and other financial reports.
• Farm Credit System experience is preferred.

NOTE ON THE SELECTION PROCESS :

The Board of Directors for Alabama Ag Credit has retained FCCS to facilitate the selection process. Leading the process is Jay Lux, Vice President of Organizational Development at FCCS.

If you are a visionary leader with a passion for agriculture and a proven track record in executive leadership, we invite you to apply.

FINAL DATE FOR APPLICATION : August 30, 2024

Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

Alabama Ag Credit is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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