gpac | The Recruitment Platform

Assistant Chief Operations Officer in Opelousas

Date Posted: 10 September 2026

Job Snapshot

Job Description

Assistant Chief Operations Officer — Banking

Central Louisiana

A local community bank is seeking an experienced Assistant Chief Operations Officer to support the COO in leading and overseeing the bank’s operational functions. This position will help ensure efficient, compliant operations while driving improvements in processes, technology, service delivery and operational controls.

The Assistant COO will serve as a senior member of the bank’s leadership team and may assume responsibility for bank operations in the COO’s absence.

Key Responsibilities

Bank Operations Leadership

  • Deposit & Loan Operations / Loan Servicing
  • Retail & Branch Operations
  • Electronic & Digital Banking
  • ACH, Wire & Payment Operations
  • Debit/Card Services
  • Treasury Operations
  • Customer & Operational Support

Technology & Systems

  • Core Banking Systems
  • System Implementations & Conversions
  • Digital Banking Platforms
  • System Testing, Upgrades & Process Automation
  • Vendor Management

Operational Risk & Compliance

  • Develop and maintain operational policies and procedures
  • Ensure compliance with banking regulations and internal controls
  • Partner with Compliance, BSA, Risk and Internal Audit
  • Address audit findings and operational exceptions
  • Strengthen internal controls and operational risk management
  • Support business continuity and disaster recovery initiatives

Process Improvement

  • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency across bank operations
  • Standardize processes across departments and branches
  • Improve workflow, productivity and service delivery
  • Implement technology and automation solutions
  • Develop and monitor operational KPIs

Leadership

  • Lead, coach and develop operations managers and staff
  • Establish departmental goals and accountability
  • Participate in strategic planning and executive-level initiatives
  • Assist with departmental budgeting and staffing
  • Support M&A integrations and system conversions when applicable
  • Serve as backup/second-in-command to the COO

Requirements

  • 8+ years of banking experience
  • 5+ years of bank operations leadership
  • Experience overseeing multiple operational departments
  • Experience managing managers and developing teams
  • Strong knowledge of Deposit Operations, Loan Operations, Retail/Branch Operations, ACH/Wires/Payments and Digital Banking
  • Strong understanding of bank compliance, regulations, risk and internal controls
  • Experience with core banking systems, conversions, technology implementations and/or major system upgrades
  • Vendor management and process-improvement experience
  • Ability to interact effectively with executive management, auditors, regulators and the board
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Management or related field preferred
  • M&A/conversion experience is a plus
  • Graduate School of Banking or similar banking leadership education is a plus

Interested?

If you have this experience and would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact:

Wendy Hicks
wendy.hicks@gogpac.com
605-403-5157

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.

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