Head of Regulatory

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

The Head of Regulatory leads a team of compliance professionals and is responsible for the regulatory interactions program, including managing regulatory engagement protocols, regulatory events tracking, communications, and reporting related to regulatory matters.  The firm’s regulators include the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, FINRA, state banking regulators, state insurance regulators and state securities regulators. This strategic leader also leads the team responsible for second line-of-defense testing and regulatory risk assessments.  The Head of Regulatory partners closely with the Legal Department and colleagues in the Compliance Department to assess regulatory risk and respond to regulatory inquiries.

What you will do

• Define and execute Empower’s regulatory relations strategy, engaging with the firm’s regulators including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, FINRA, state banking regulators, state insurance regulators and state securities regulators.

• Lead the regulatory liaison function to effectively manage examinations, field inquiries, proactively formulate regulatory outreach, identify and address emerging regulatory risks, coordinate throughout the firm, and manage internal stakeholder meetings and communications. 

• Responsible for the second line-of-defense Compliance testing function to create and execute detailed testing to assess compliance with regulations and firm policies.

• Oversee the development and sustainability of an evolving risk-based approach to optimize testing coverage and review of emerging risks.

• Lead the Compliance Risk Assessment function to assesses inherent regulatory risks, the strength of controls which address those risks, and the residual risks which result.  This work includes defining industry leading practices to assess risks and controls using data analytics and objective measures.

• Develop an organizational roadmap to address emerging regulatory trends.

• Lead the compliance organization with primary focus on engaging and building a high-caliber team; training and developing the team; ensuring a strong bench; mentoring and developing junior talent to succeed; and being a champion of the culture of Empower and the importance of a world-class compliance organization.

• Serve as a key member of the Compliance leadership team, collaborating to strategically define and execute on a vision for the Compliance function.

• Provide valued partnership to the business and challenges as needed in order to ensure regulatory compliance and protect investors, but also brings a collaborative approach to solving problems.

• Monitor and communicate legal and regulatory developments in the securities, broker- dealer, investment advisory, and insurance industries and work with the firms’ leadership regarding the impact of such developments.

What you will bring

• Bachelor's degree required, legal degree a plus.

• 15+ years of experience managing examination or enforcement matters which involve a regulator as a regulator, legal or compliance professional.

• Deep understanding of regulatory agency processes and extensive experience working with regulators or as a regulator.

• Significant experience in the financial services industry with deep knowledge of industry best practices related to managing regulatory matters, specifically concerning securities regulation.

• Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate about complex topics in concise terms.

• A legal or compliance leader with a reputation and track record for operating with the highest ethical standards.

• Ability to anticipate emerging regulatory trends and develop an organizational roadmap to address these trends.

• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to manage a broad team; hire and retain talent; mentor, coach and nurture junior employees and drive and encourage team members to grow and succeed.

• A strategic thinker with strong analytical ability, superb judgment and strong operational understanding of broker dealers, and financial advisory companies.

• Ability to analyze and interpret complex and multifaceted issues and present findings clearly and succinctly to "C" and Board level audiences.

• Willingness to lead and collaborate with all levels of leadership in a dynamic environment with evolving regulations, policies and procedures and strong business line growth.

• Unquestionable integrity; leads and communicates with transparency.

• Is decisive; drives to the appropriate decision quickly.

• No history of any regulatory findings or sanctions

***Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time, including CPT/OPT.***

What we offer you

We offer an array of diverse and inclusive benefits regardless of where you are in your career. We believe that providing our employees with the means to lead healthy balanced lives results in the best possible work performance.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement savings – 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%), financial advisory services, potential company discretionary contribution, and a broad investment lineup
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• Business-casual environment that includes the option to wear jeans
• Generous paid time off upon hire – including a paid time off program plus ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year
• Paid volunteer time — 16 hours per calendar year
• Leave of absence programs – including paid parental leave, paid short- and long-term disability, and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Business Resource Groups (BRGs) - internal networks that rally around common interest, experiences and identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, ability, military status and sexual orientation. BRGs play a vital role in educating and engaging our people and advancing our business priorities.

Base Salary Range

The salary range above shows the typical minimum to maximum base salary range for this position in the location listed. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation offered may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Equal opportunity employer •  Drug-free workplace

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age (40 and over), race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. 

***For remote and hybrid positions you will be required to provide reliable high-speed internet with a wired connection as well as a place in your home to work with limited disruption. You must have reliable connectivity from an internet service provider that is fiber, cable or DSL internet. Other necessary computer equipment, will be provided. You may be required to work in the office if you do not have an adequate home work environment and the required internet connection.***

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