Associate Director

Here at SFCU we define our culture as one of GROWTH. Growing our member, growing our employee, and growing our organization. This is a great opportunity to join our innovative and growing SFCU team.

The Associate Director role is an unpaid, volunteer opportunity designed for emerging professionals who want to gain practical, real‑world experience in civic engagement, community impact, non‑profit governance, and business administration.

This program offers structured mentorship, direct exposure to board‑level decision‑making, and hands‑on learning within a mission‑driven financial cooperative. Ideal candidates bring curiosity, diverse perspectives, and a willingness to participate meaningfully in discussions, sharing ideas, experiences, and viewpoints that help strengthen SFCU's service to its members and its community.

As part of a credit union built on the philosophy of People Helping People, Associate Directors play an important role in ensuring that SFCU "Do Well to Do Good."

Location: Sidney, NY - Hybrid

Salary: Volunteer

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

Governance & Participation

• Engage Actively: Attend regular and special Board meetings, planning sessions, and events; prepare thoroughly and participate in discussions.

• Support Governance: Become familiar with SFCU's bylaws, purpose, and strategic plan; contribute ideas that support strategic priorities.

• Represent Membership: Offer insights that ensure programs, products, and services support members' financial wellbeing and advance SFCU's purpose.

Education & Development

• Commitment to Learning: Complete the assigned orientation and director education courses within six months of appointment; these may be assigned through CPD, CUES, or other platforms as Management deems appropriate. Complete all educational requirements established by the Board of Directors as well as external regulatory entities.

Ethics & Confidentiality

• Maintain Standards: Uphold confidentiality, ethical conduct, and professionalism; represent member interests impartially and thoughtfully.

• Adhere to Agreements: Sign and follow the Confidentiality Agreement, Conflict of Interest Disclosure, and other forms as required.

Collaboration & Contribution

• Foster Inclusion: Bring your lived experiences and unique background to help broaden Board discussions to best serve the diverse SFCU membership.

• Work Cooperatively: Build strong working relationships with Board members and Management.

• Champion the Mission: Support the cooperative model and its guiding principle of People Helping People.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment.

• Must be a member of SFCU in good standing at the time of appointment.

• Applicants cannot be employed by SFCU at the time of appointment, or directly related to any person who is employed by SFCU at the time of appointment.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate ideas and contribute to discussions with confidence and respect.

• A proactive mindset, willingness to learn, and a positive attitude that supports constructive problem‑solving and teamwork.

• Commitment to sharing perspectives and participating actively in board conversations.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience / education in business administration, cybersecurity, law & compliance, strategic planning, finance, or other applicable subject matter.

• An interest in community service, financial literacy, cooperative values, and/or public minded leadership.

SFCU is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of SFCU to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, or citizenship, age, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity or expression, disability, military or veteran status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, traits historically associated with race and/or any other status or characteristic protected by law.