Full-Time
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Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union
201-500 employees
Member-owned credit union offering financial services
No salary listed
Albuquerque, NM, USA
In Person
Occasional travel to branch locations across the U.S. and off-site meetings.
 Finance & Banking (1) |
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- Minimum 12 years of lending and next-level leadership experience in financial services, preferably in a credit union or community-based financial institution.
- Proven ability to manage complex lending operations, drive organizational change, and ensure compliance with regulatory and policy standards.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or related field required, or experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
- Current registration with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS), or ability to become registered upon hire.
- Recent, relevant, and strong understanding of all aspects of consumer lending, including leading leaders, financial analysis, and portfolio monitoring and reporting.
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements, internal policies, and enterprise risk management principles related to consumer lending.
- High proficiency with digital communication platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and tools supporting underwriting, credit analysis, and portfolio monitoring.
- Ability to articulate a clear direction for the department, align team goals with enterprise objectives, and anticipate future trends in mortgage lending.
- Drives organizational change by preparing teams for new processes, tools, or strategies; manages resistance and maintains engagement during transitions.
- Builds bench strength by coaching, mentoring, and growing future leaders; proactively identifies high-potential employees.
- Shapes a positive, values-aligned, and inclusive team culture that reinforces member-centric behaviors and collaboration.
- Makes timely, high-impact decisions in fast-moving or uncertain situations while balancing operational, financial, and risk considerations.
- Builds alignment across departments, executive leadership, and external partners to drive organizational goals.
- Encourages new ideas, identifies opportunities for operational improvements, and champions technology or process solutions to enhance efficiency.
- Ensures department delivers measurable outcomes, tracks performance against goals, and holds self and team accountable for results.
- Maintains focus and leads effectively through challenges, shifting priorities, or regulatory changes.
- Communicates with credibility, builds trust across the enterprise, and represents the credit union externally with professionalism and influence.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication, negotiation, and collaboration skills that build trust and foster strong working relationships.
- Strong ability to analyze financial and operational data, assess risk/return trade-offs, and make informed decisions.
- Lead the end-to-end strategy, execution, and optimization of consumer lending, ensuring alignment with the credit union’s business goals, risk appetite, and regulatory requirements.
- Design and implement lending strategies that drive profitable loan growth, enhance member experience, and support operational efficiency.
- Liaise with HR and Organizational Development to recruit, onboard, and retain high-performing talent, ensuring workforce planning supports department goals.
- Oversee daily operations of the consumer lending department including retail branch employees responsible for loan services.
- Provide timely, constructive, and frequent performance evaluations and feedback; recognize and reward high performance.
- Coach, mentor, and motivate staff to foster a high-performance, member-centric culture.
- Create a positive, productive, and values-aligned work environment focused on continuous development, team engagement, and succession planning.
- Develop leaders to advance into next-level roles, preparing them for inclusion in the credit union’s succession plan.
- Analyze financial and operational performance to ensure transparency, improve outcomes, and drive continuous improvement in lending operations.
- Assess risk and return trade-offs to guide profitable lending decisions and explore innovative solutions to expand loan programs and reach.
- Align lending practices with the Enterprise Risk Management framework, identify operational efficiencies, and implement scalable solutions.
- Maintain and revise consumer loan policies and procedures; ensure policies are clearly communicated and understood throughout the organization.
- Champion the voice of the member and staff in decision-making, leading initiatives that improve the experience across all lending channels and touchpoints.
- Monitor portfolio performance and compliance; ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and Board-approved policies.
- Conduct quality reviews of credit underwriting, ensuring documentation and practices meet all standards.
- Provide portfolio analysis on pipelines, product performance, goals, past due and charge off trends, and delinquency management, pricing, personnel performance, etc.
- Identify and advocate for tools and technologies that enhance lending decision-making, operational efficiency, and member satisfaction.
- Compile, present, and advise on lending data and strategies to executive committees and internal stakeholders.
- Represent the credit union in industry associations and community partnerships to support its mission, visibility and strategic objectives.
- Stay current on legal and regulatory requirements from NCUA and all governing bodies; recommend operational and policy changes as needed.
Sunward is a member-owned financial cooperative offering checking, savings, mortgages, auto loans, and investment services to individuals and businesses. It serves through 12 New Mexico branches, one in Livermore, California, and online, with membership open to everyone. As a federally insured credit union (NCUA) and Equal Housing Lender, Sunward emphasizes member relationships and community impact over profits. Its goal is to help members realize their dreams and secure their financial futures, summarized as “Banking Made Better.”
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Founded
1948
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Manages $4.1 billion assets and 150,000 members post-acquisition.
- Added 15 employees enhancing member support expertise.
- Opened Rio Grande branch in Albuquerque Old Town early 2024.
What critics are saying
- Integration failures cause member attrition within 3-6 months.
- Rebranding alienates Sandia members eroding heritage in 6-12 months.
- Mountain America competes aggressively in Albuquerque within 12-18 months.
What makes Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union unique
- Rebranded from Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union to Sunward in 2024.
- Acquired Mountain America branches on Golf Course Road and Paseo del Norte.
- Expanded to 15 branches serving Sandia Labs affiliates across NM and CA.
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Benefits
Flexible Work Hours
Company News
Members now get more funds to pay for eligible purchases over timeALBUQUERQUE, N.M., June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As more people look to credit unions they know and trust to help navigate their financial needs, Sunward Federal Credit Union (Sunward) announced today that it has added Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) to its suite of online banking products in an effort to meet members' shifting payment preferences.Serving over 165,000 members across 16 locations across the Southwest and in California, Sunward is the first New Mexico-based credit union to launch BNPL for its members
A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sunward, formerly known as Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union, and Mountain America Credit Union announced today that after a favorable vote by transitioning Mountain America Credit Union members, the previously announced proposed acquisition is proceeding with a targeted completion in the first quarter of 2025. “We are excited to welcome members and employees from Mountain America Credit Union to Sunward,” said Steph Sherrodd, Sunward President and CEO. “This addition will strengthen our position and ability to deliver on our goal of making banking better in the Southwest, and in New Mexico specifically.” Upon finalization, Sunward will acquire both Mountain America Credit Union branches in Albuquerque, New Mexico – Golf Course Road and Paseo Del Norte Boulevard – increasing Sunward’s total branch footprint to 15 locations. “I am confident that Sunward will be an excellent financial partner for our members,” said Sterling Nielsen, Mountain America Credit Union President and CEO