About Farm Credit Illinois

Farm Credit Illinois (FCI) is an agricultural financial cooperative owned by more than 17,400 farmers, rural landowners, and agribusiness voting stockholders in the southern 60 counties of Illinois. Dedicated to Helping Farm Families Succeed, FCI provides competitive and flexible financing, crop insurance expertise, and Rural 1st® country life lending. FCI manages an $8 billion loan portfolio, sells 1.5 million acres of crop insurance coverage, and employs approximately 300 staff in the Mahomet headquarters and 14 regional offices. The U.S. Farm Credit System is a network of locally owned cooperatives supporting rural communities, farm families, and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services today and tomorrow.

Why Join Us

Competitive compensation package. Grade and salary commensurate with experience, with an annualized base salary range of 220,000.00 - 290,000.00 plus a bonus based on team and individual performance. This range is a good-faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of this posting.

Comprehensive benefit package includes 401(k) with 3% employer contribution and 6% employer match, vacation days, sick days, 13 paid holidays, parental leave, and volunteer leave, along with medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as further described at https://www.farmcreditfoundations.com/fcfbenefits/

Professional development and career growth opportunities.

Opportunity to work for a reputable and community-focused financial institution dedicated to a positive, collaborative work environment that encompasses the association’s mission to serve our members and the agricultural industry as we strive to help farm families succeed

The Role

The Chief Credit Officer leads credit analysts and support staff, implementing strategies that maintain sound lending operations and advance the Association’s vision and goals. The CCO oversees credit risk management, including policy design, implementation, and communication; approval processes; credit administration; and portfolio analysis.

What You Will Contribute

Develop, implement, and monitor credit policies, underwriting guidelines, approval processes, and internal controls aligned with regulatory requirements and the Association’s Risk Appetite.
Oversee portfolio monitoring, credit trends, reporting, systems, and lending pipelines to support sound decisions and meet service commitments; provide expertise on large and complex loans.
Partner with executive leaders and field operations to align credit and sales strategies, strengthen collaboration, and enhance the member experience.
Build relationships with AgriBank, the Farm Credit Administration, other Farm Credit institutions, service providers, and partners; prepare analyses and presentations for senior management, committees, and regulatory exams.
Set strategic direction and departmental structure for the Credit Services Division (CSD), communicate lending philosophy and risk priorities, model Association values, and serve on key credit and risk committees.
Recruit, lead, coach, and develop CSD staff through clear expectations, timely feedback, recognition, career development, and succession planning; mentor staff across the Association.
Protect the confidentiality, security, and integrity of Association and customer systems and data.

What We Are Looking For

Required Skills

Expert knowledge of credit policies, procedures, and loan structuring, with working knowledge of corporate finance.
Skill in selecting, managing, coaching, motivating, and developing diverse teams; communicating objectives; delegating responsibility; and managing personal emotions and others’ emotional reactions.
Strong analytical and systematic problem-solving skills, using logic and quantitative reasoning to interpret complex data, prioritize significant details, and make decisive, adaptable business decisions.
Strong listening, verbal, written, and relationship-building skills to engage varied audiences, advance Association interests, and work independently and across teams to achieve goals and represent the Association.
Working knowledge of computers and technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in economics, business, finance, or agriculture
Minimum of 10 years of experience in financial agribusiness or credit analysis.
Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience leading and developing teams.
or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the role
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the role.
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Farm Credit Illinois is an Equal Employment / Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate in hiring based on any characteristic protected by law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation during any part of the employment process, please contact [email protected]. Requests will be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis.