Director of Compliance

The Director of Compliance will lead the development, implementation, and oversight of Grameen America's comprehensive compliance program. The compliance professional will ensure the organization's adherence to all relevant financial regulations, state and federal, and ethical standards, particularly those governing microfinance lending, savings programs, and credit reporting. The Director will provide guidance to General Counsel and senior management, address all exams and regulatory inquiries, conduct internal audits to ensure KYC and AML compliance, support the training of employees, and maintain a robust compliance infrastructure that aligns with Grameen America's mission of empowering financially underserved women.

• Compliance Program Management:
  • Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive, risk-based compliance program that addresses all federal, state, and local regulations relevant to microfinance and nonprofit operations, including a compliance manual.
  • Oversee the continuous refinement of compliance policies, procedures, and internal controls for lending, savings, and credit reporting activities.
  • Ensure compliance with specific consumer protection statutes, including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), relevant sections of TILA, and state-specific lending laws.
  • Oversee compliance with NMLS directives and filings.
  • Implement appropriate compliance and operational risk controls, policies and procedures utilizing knowledge of existing regulatory framework, emerging risks and industry best practices.
• Regulatory Oversight and Risk Assessment:
  • Monitor emerging regulatory and legal changes affecting the financial services and nonprofit sectors, communicating risks and necessary changes to leadership.
  • Manage and/or conduct regular internal audits and compliance risk assessments of KYC/AML process branch operations to ensure adherence to policies and regulatory standards.
  • Lead investigations into operational and member-related issues
  • Partner with operational teams to implement effective risk mitigation strategies and corrective action plans.
  • Maintain a tracker of regulatory requests.
  • Address and monitor all organizational-wide NMLS reporting requirements, including those in support of branch openings.
• Training and Education:
  • Develop and deliver regular compliance training programs for employees, including new hires, to build and sustain a strong culture of compliance.
  • Educate employees on best practices related to data privacy, fraud prevention, fair lending, and ethical conduct.
• Reporting and Collaboration:
  • Prepare and present regular, comprehensive compliance reports to the General Counsel.
  • Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies and external auditors during examinations and inquiries.
  • Investigate potential compliance incidents and breaches and coordinate with internal and external counsel on resolution.
  • Identify, report and escalate risks, issues and control enhancements to operations leadership.
  • Address inquiries, exams and audits (by regulators, and internal groups).
• Mission Integration:
  • Ensure that compliance initiatives support, rather than hinder, Grameen America's mission to serve low-income women entrepreneurs.
  • Work with program teams to ensure that program design, including savings programs and loan disbursement, adheres to all regulations while remaining accessible and affordable for members.

Required skills and qualifications:

• Education: Juris Doctor (JD).
• License: Admitted to practice law in any of the states of the U.S.; in good standing.
• Experience: 5+ years of compliance experience in financial services, with a preference for experience in microfinance, community development finance, or nonprofit banking.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep expertise in relevant federal and state financial regulations, such as ECOA, TILA, and fair lending laws as well as CDFI regulations.
• Analytical Skills: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify potential risks and develop effective solutions.
• Leadership: Proven experience in a managerial or leadership role, with the ability to influence and guide teams toward a shared vision of compliance.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulations into clear guidance for all employees and report effectively to General Counsel and other members of the senior leadership team.
• Mission Alignment: A strong commitment to Grameen America's mission of empowering low-income entrepreneurs.