EVP Chief Operating Officer

About the company

Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc., a Columbia Bank subsidiary founded in 1975, provides small-ticket commercial equipment leasing. The business grows through relationships with vendors, third-party originators, and lessors across the United States, supported by long-standing trust in its financing solutions.

Role overview

This executive position is responsible for leading FinPac’s operations excellence agenda across Portfolio Services and Operations. The role focuses on building a scalable, highly controlled operating model that strengthens service delivery, improves quality, and supports consistent execution across the customer and portfolio lifecycle. Success in this role requires strong collaboration with Credit, Finance, Risk, Compliance, Technology, and Business Development to improve capacity, increase throughput, lower operating costs, and improve customer outcomes while preserving rigorous controls and cost discipline.

The right leader will be focused on eliminating inefficiencies, reducing manual work, and designing streamlined workflows that support reliable, high-quality service delivery.

What you will do

• Own Portfolio Services and Operations with full responsibility for service delivery, operating performance, quality, and control effectiveness.
• Create and roll out an operating model that improves scalability, consistency, and coordinated execution across critical workflows.
• Champion continuous improvement efforts that shorten cycle times, reduce rework, cut manual touchpoints, and limit process variation.
• Build and manage key performance metrics, dashboards, and governance cadences to track capacity, throughput, productivity, service levels, and quality.
• Work closely with Risk, Compliance, Audit, Finance, and Technology to maintain a strong control environment and support adherence to regulations and policies.
• Lead automation and workflow redesign programs that improve efficiency and create durable operating leverage.
• Develop, coach, and retain a high-performing team through clear goals, talent development, succession planning, and accountability.
• Prepare executive-level reporting and recommendations on operational performance, risk, and strategic improvement opportunities.
• Stay compliant with applicable company rules, regulations, and training requirements for the role, including ongoing awareness of regulatory updates.
• Follow all bank policies, compliance requirements, and mandatory annual or role-specific training.
• Maintain working knowledge of relevant policies and procedures covering Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security, and other applicable regulations.
• Serve as a coach, mentor, trainer, or subject matter expert when needed.
• Model the company culture through actions and communication and demonstrate initiative and positive leadership.

Candidate profile

The organization is seeking a senior operations leader with deep experience in regulated financial services, especially banking, equipment finance, leasing, commercial finance, vendor finance, or portfolio servicing. The ideal candidate should bring a strong record of improving operational efficiency, quality, service delivery, control discipline, and change execution in complex environments.

Compensation and work setup

The annual pay range for this position is $185,000 to $260,000. Final compensation will depend on role-related knowledge, skills, experience, education, and geographic location. The position may also qualify for performance-based incentive pay, with details shared during recruitment.

This is a fully onsite position at the listed location. Open-to-location flexibility exists within the Columbia Bank footprint. The primary office is 3455 South 344th Way, Suite 300, Federal Way, WA 98001. Periodic travel may be required for business operations, leadership meetings, training, and other bank or subsidiary activities.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, operations, or a related area is required, or an equivalent mix of education and experience.
• A master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• At least 10 years of senior leadership experience in banking, equipment finance, leasing, commercial finance, or another regulated financial services setting is required.
• At least 10 years of experience leading complex operations or portfolio administration functions with measurable gains in efficiency, quality, and service delivery is required.
• At least 10 years of strong expertise in risk management, compliance, control discipline, and cross-functional operating governance is required.
• At least 10 years of experience in equipment finance, vendor finance, or portfolio servicing operations is required.
• At least 10 years of experience driving process improvement, workflow redesign, operating metrics, and change management initiatives is preferred.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence executive stakeholders across a matrixed organization are essential.
• Experience leading automation, digitization, or large-scale operational excellence programs is important.
• Six Sigma is preferred.

Benefits

Eligible associates receive a competitive rewards package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match for qualifying contributions; employee assistance; life and disability insurance; tuition assistance; mental health support; identity theft protection; legal support; auto and home insurance; pet insurance; access to an online discount marketplace; and paid vacation, sick time, volunteer time, and holidays. Benefits begin on the first day of the month after hire for associates scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week.

Equal opportunity

Columbia Bank is committed to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. All qualified candidates are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, protected veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic. If accommodation is needed for the application or interview process, candidates may request it through the employer’s careers contact.

Agency notice

This opportunity is intended only for individuals seeking employment directly with Columbia Bank. Unsolicited resumes or applications from staffing or recruiting agencies are not accepted, and any such submissions will be treated as unsolicited unless specifically requested by the Talent Acquisition team.