Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Pathwise Credit Union I Oshawa, ON
For its next Chief Executive Officer, Pathwise Credit Union (PCU) is seeking a forward-thinking visionary leader capable of driving strategic growth, transforming member and employee experiences and aligning corporate strategy with a people-first talent plan. Exceptional with people, you have a proven track record of building great teams and supporting their development toward success. The new CEO will have a mandate to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and innovation.
About the Opportunity
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for leading the strategic and operational performance of Pathwise Credit Union. The CEO will ensure the organization fulfills its mission of delivering exceptional value to its members while fostering a workplace culture built on participation, integrity, and results. The CEO will also play a key role in positioning Pathwise Credit Union to grow market share, expand into new member segments, and build on its long-standing commitment to sustainability and cooperative values.
An accomplished strategic executive, the CEO will lead the execution of Pathwise Credit Union’s business strategy, ensuring financial sustainability and balanced risk, operational excellence, and a high-performing team culture. The successful candidate will be a purpose-driven and experienced executive ready to navigate the evolving credit union landscape while protecting the Credit Union’s mission and strengthening the value it delivers to its members.
Organization
Pathwise is a full-service credit union that has proudly supported the financial needs of its over 13,800 members across the Durham region for almost 90 years. Deeply rooted in the community and its cooperative values, Pathwise’s mission is “people helping people find their path to financial success”.
Pathwise Credit Union currently has 2 branches and 48 employees, with significant potential for growth under visionary leadership.
For more information, please visit: www.pathwise.ca
Role Summary
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for providing strategic leadership to Pathwise by working with the Board of Directors and the Leadership Team to establish, implement and oversee PCU’s long range goals, strategies, plans and policies.
The CEO is the highest-ranking executive officer in the organization and has responsibility for the overall success of the organization and is the ultimate decision-maker for the business operations.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:
o The ability to develop and communicate a clear vision for the Credit Union and effectively lead the organization towards its goals and objectives.
o The ability to identify and develop strategic partnerships and collaborations with other credit unions, service providers, and community organizations to expand the Credit Union’s reach and enhance its offerings.
o A mindset of continuous improvement that is focused on member-centricity, streamlining operations, and keeping pace with industry trends and competition.
Financial Management:
o Strong financial acumen and the ability to manage and optimize the Credit Union’s financial performance, including asset growth, loan portfolios, liquidity, and profitability.
Risk Management:
o A deep understanding of risk management principles and practices, including credit risk, market risk, operational risk, and compliance, to ensure the Credit Union’s stability and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Team Building and Talent Management:
o The capability to build a high-performing team, recruit top talent and provide effective leadership.
o Architects and recruits a high-caliber executive leadership team, hand-selecting the strategic partners necessary to drive the Credit Union’s long-term vision and foster a positive organizational culture that attracts and retains skilled professionals.
Governance and Compliance:
o Knowledge of corporate governance principles and experience in ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies, including reporting requirements, ethical standards, and fiduciary responsibilities.
o Develops and maintains a productive working relationship with the Board, regulators, and other key stakeholders to achieve mutual goals.
Experience & Education
o A degree in business administration (master’s degree preferred) or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.
o Experience of 7 to 10 years in senior management positions in a financial services organization.
o Exceptional knowledge and experience in the Canadian banking system and specifically, the credit union industry.
o Union experience is considered an asset.
o Experience in and/or understanding of reporting to a Board of Directors and ability to engage appropriately so that the Board can oversee the cooperative in accordance with good governance principles.
ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS (PREFERRED)
o Demonstrated ability to lead sustainable growth, teams and channel distribution in a financial setting.
o Adept at leading digital transformation and growing technology skills with people.
o Experience with executive-level talent attraction, recruiting, integration and retention.
The salary range for this role is: $235,450 – $277,000 plus STIP.
This is a publicly advertised job posting for an existing vacancy.
Hawkeye Strategies Inc. does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants for a position.
Location
The primary location of this role is in Oshawa and Durham Region, Ontario, part of the Greater Toronto Area.
Please note that, while this is the preference of the Board of Directors, they are open to discussion with candidates who wish to commute from outside of the immediate area.
With a population of almost 200,000 people and the largest city in the Durham Region, Oshawa is a growing and diverse city located east of Toronto on Lake Ontario. With a rich General Motors history, it has expanded into a hub of health care, education, and technology, while offering a mix of suburban, urban, and natural amenities.
For more information visit:
https://www.oshawa.ca/explore-play/
https://www.durham.ca/en/discovering-durham/discovering-durham.aspx
Oshawa and Durham Region’s mix of dynamic community assets and growth opportunities makes it an ideal home base for leaders looking to make an impact—both professionally and personally.
To Apply
To fill this position, Pathwise Credit Union has partnered with governance consulting firm Hawkeye Strategies Inc. We would like to thank all applicants but regret that we are only able to personally contact those individuals whose backgrounds best match the requirements for the role.
For questions about this role, please email cerasuolo@hawkeyestrategies.com
