Senior Compliance Manager

Sequoia Financial Group is a growing Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), headquartered in Northeast Ohio, offering financial planning and wealth management services. At Sequoia, we exist with a singular purpose: to enrich lives. Our values define how we behave and guide us through the pursuit of our purpose to enrich lives. At Sequoia, our core values are:

• Integrity.  We act in the best interests of others by providing an honest, consistent experience for our clients and team. 
• Passion. We pursue our full potential, seeking to continually enhance and evolve our ability to serve our clients and team.
• Teamwork. We subordinate our egos to work together for the benefit of our clients. 

Our promise to team members is that you will grow with us. From experienced advisors to new college grads to transitioning principals, every team member will find Sequoia a place to refine their professional mission, move into new opportunities, go deeper, and lead further. We are built to help you build a career here as a long-term contributor in our work to enrich lives for generations.

Summary of the position

This individual will be responsible for helping ensure that the firm is in compliance with primarily the SEC, but also FINRA, DOL and state securities and insurance rules and regulations. The individual will be responsible for helping with the implementation, communication, and review of corporate policies, procedures, trends and systems designed to enable the firm to effectively manage its compliance and risk management programs. Responsibilities will include supporting the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer with the creation, implementation and execution of compliance policies and procedures, as well as the overall compliance oversight program, in an effort to ensure the firm complies with various regulatory requirements.
Qualified candidates will have 10 or more years of direct compliance department experience within a financial services firm. Experience at an RIA is preferred. Extensive knowledge of the Securities Act of 1933, Securities Exchange Act of 1034, Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the Investment Company Act 1940 rules and regulations, and the ability to assess and implement them across a diverse RIA business model.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the implementation and communication of the RIA compliance program within the team as well as with the firm.
• Review and maintain firm compliance policies and procedures, both current and newly needed updates based on industry and regulatory changes.
• Assist in evaluating internal and external trends and rules and regulations to ensure the firm is in compliance and staying on pace with requirements.
• Assist with the creation and execution of ongoing compliance training and guidance to internal teams.
• Assist with regulatory examinations and inquiries, as well as the necessary follow-ups.
• Collaborate with departments within the firm such as Operations, marketing, HR, Finance and advisor groups on compliance items.
• Provide technical expertise to the firm and team members.
• Responsible for taking the lead on project management.
• Assist with Due Diligence and integration of firms acquired through M&A including being a point person for compliance requests and questions.
• Conduct periodic internal reviews, risk assessments, and compliance testing, while also overseeing the overall execution of the annual compliance monitoring and testing plan.
• Help maintain and update regulatory documents like the Form ADV.
• Prepare annual and ongoing reports for the CRO/CCO and senior leadership team.
• Reports to the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer.

Required Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years Financial Service Compliance Experience
• Strong attention to detail
• Highly organized
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to influence senior management
• Ability to multi-task efficiently and effectively
• Knowledge of the financial services industry
• Deep familiarity with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Compliance officer level experience is a plus
• RIA Industry Experience
• Broker-Dealer Experience
• Ability to have direct reports and/or mentor skills
• Ability to translate complex legal regulations into clear, actionable advice for advisors and leadership.
• Ability to identify, evaluate, and mitigate compliance and operational risks across the firm.
• Corporate Insurance experience 

Competencies

• Self-starter who is motivated to learn and grow
• Team-oriented