South Carolina Bankers Association Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The Opportunity
The South Carolina Bankers Association (SCBA) is seeking a visionary and relationship-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead one of the state’s most influential financial services organizations into its next chapter. With the anticipated retirement of its long-serving CEO, SCBA has a rare opportunity to build on a strong foundation while positioning the Association for continued relevance, influence, and impact in a rapidly changing banking environment.
The next CEO will serve as a visible and credible advocate for South Carolina’s banking industry, championing member institutions, shaping the Association’s advocacy agenda, and strengthening trusted relationships with policymakers, regulators, the media, and industry partners.
Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Directors and based in Columbia, South Carolina, the CEO will lead SCBA’s strategy, operations, member engagement, and external in?uence with a clear focus on long-term relevance and value.
Key Responsibilities
The CEO is responsible for leading SCBA with a clear focus on advocacy, member value, operational excellence, and long-term relevance. In this role, the CEO will represent member banks at the state and federal levels and help shape the industry’s public policy and regulatory agenda.
This leader will be a trusted relationship builder, effective communicator, strategic thinker, and credible industry advocate with the judgment and experience to lead through change while strengthening SCBA’s value to members.
Working closely with the Board of Directors, the CEO will establish and deliver against clear objectives, identify emerging opportunities and challenges, and ensure SCBA remains a trusted resource for current and prospective members.
Membership and Industry Engagement
- Strengthen SCBA’s reputation, influence, and visibility as the trusted advocate for South Carolina’s banking industry.
- Build trusted relationships with member institutions across asset sizes, charters, and markets.
- Drive member retention, recruitment, and engagement through clear value, relevant programming, and responsive service.
- Engage bank leaders and employees at all levels in Association programs, events, and advocacy efforts.
- Grow and manage strategic partnerships with non-bank companies that serve the banking industry.
- Create meaningful opportunities for members to connect with peers, regulators, policymakers, and industry partners.
- Evaluate and evolve programs, services, and events to ensure they remain relevant, educational, and valuable to current and prospective members.
External Affairs and Advocacy
The CEO will lead SCBA’s advocacy and external affairs strategy, ensuring members are represented with credibility, clarity, and influence across legislative, regulatory, industry, and public forums.
- Represent SCBA before state and federal legislators, policymakers, and regulators on issues affecting South Carolina banks.
- Testify before legislative committees and participate in hearings on significant banking and financial services matters.
- Maintain a visible presence at legislative receptions, industry events, and key forums during legislative sessions and throughout the year.
- Build and sustain strong relationships with state banking associations, the American Bankers Association, and other strategic industry partners.
- Communicate SCBA’s advocacy priorities, outcomes, and value to members through clear, timely, and efective outreach.
- Elevate SCBA’s visibility and credibility with the media, policymakers, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
- Identify emerging policy, regulatory, and reputational issues and help members understand potential implications.
The Candidate
Professional Experience and Qualifcations
SCBA seeks a credible, collaborative, and forward-looking leader with the judgment, relationship-building skills, and industry fluency to represent banks of all sizes while guiding the Association through its next chapter.
- Executive leadership experience with the ability to set strategy, lead teams, and deliver measurable results.
- Strong working knowledge of banking, financial services, or a closely related field, with the ability to quickly build credibility with industry leaders.
- Proven advocacy experience with state and federal policymakers, regulators, or public oficials, ideally in bipartisan environments.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to earn trust across member banks, boards, policymakers, regulators, staff, and industry partners.
- Strong executive communication skills, including writing, speaking, presentations, public remarks, and media engagement.
- Board relations and governance experience, including the ability to align diverse stakeholders and build consensus.
- Financial and operational acumen to ensure SCBA remains well managed, fiscally sound, and positioned for long-term sustainability.
- Experience developing teams, mentoring staff, and fostering a service-oriented, entrepreneurial culture.
- Ability to evaluate and evolve programs, services, events, and partnerships to strengthen member value.
- High integrity, sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and the confidence to lead with authenticity, empathy, and accountability.
- Forward-looking mindset with the ability to anticipate industry trends, identify opportunities, and guide SCBA through change.
What Success Looks Like
In the First 12–18 months, the next CEO will have:
- Earned trust with members, the board, and staff through visible, accessible, and consistent leadership.
- Strengthened SCBA’s advocacy voice with policymakers, regulators, and industry partners on issues that matter to South Carolina banks.
- Deepened member engagement by listening closely to banks of all sizes and aligning programs, events, and services with their evolving needs.
- Clarified SCBA’s value proposition for current and prospective members, supporting retention, recruitment, and long-term relevance.
- Maintained strong financial and operational discipline while identifying opportunities to modernize how the Association works.
- Elevated the industry’s public profile through credible communications, media engagement, and thought leadership.
- Built a clear roadmap for the future that honors SCBA’s legacy while positioning the Association for continued influence and impact.
This is a rare opportunity for a respected, service-minded leader to build on SCBA’s strong foundation while shaping the future of banking advocacy, member engagement, and industry leadership in South Carolina.
Compensation and Application Process
SCBA will offer a competitive compensation and benefits package commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience, qualifications, and leadership background.
Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter outlining their relevant experience, leadership approach, and interest in serving South Carolina’s banking industry. All inquiries and applications will be handled with discretion.
SCBA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified candidates who can help advance the Association’s mission and long-term impact.
Compensation and Application Process
The deadline to apply is November 30th. Final evaluation of applications will occur the week of November 30th.
