Senior Principal Investigator, NCP - IRG - All FINRA Locations

FINRA’s Initial Review Group (IRG) is the centralized unit for the intake, review, and analysis of regulatory intelligence received through a variety of sources, including internal sources, regulatory tips, customer complaints, firm regulatory filings, arbitration filings, and referrals from other regulators, with an eye toward quickly identifying and escalating higher-risk matters.

In addition to performing Intake & Assessment with minimal supervision, the Senior Principal Investigator leads strategic and collaborative efforts for IRG to proactively respond to significant increases and/or changes in filings due to market events, assist in eliminating operational risk across the department, and work cross-operationally with senior management.

Essential Job Functions:

• Lead and strategize on the departmental response(s) and processing of inflow matters to IRG stemming from Market Events, including volume surges related to issuer(s) events, outages, or other system failures impacting a significant amount of investors
• Proactively identify notable and emerging trends, including pattern recognition, and develop strategies to address findings. Provide timely guidance related to Firm Groupings/Sub-Groupings and FINRA initiatives
• Actively collaborate with senior management to identify cross-operational risk and responsibilities during critical volume surges throughout the year
• Develop and maintain department playbooks to ensure consistent strategic plan and process in addressing any anticipated market events.
• Research, analyze and prepare essential data point support for operational metrics, including pattern recognition and technology advancements. Interface with internal and external stakeholders to contribute to the reporting of trends, metrics, and analysis of Market Events
• Independently lead and execute on highest impact and highest risk events, and/or firms, including programmatic approach to Market Events, including:
  • Leading and strategizing on matters involving high-risk firms with significant regulatory and industry impact and risks that impact the general investing public
  • Responsible for leading reviews involving ongoing fraud, emerging fraudulent schemes, complex products, high-risk, and systemic issues
• Independently conduct reviews and approvals of Market Event summaries. Support IRG staff in their assessment and processing of Market Events and provide feedback and guidance
• Identify and facilitate training needs related to Market Events, including relevant training, coaching, and mentoring for staff across departments
• Demonstrate specialization (preferred but not required) in critical areas, such as products, types of firm businesses and structures, and investigative techniques (i.e., AML, fraud, forensics accounting, etc.)
• Participate in internal and external meetings, including representing IRG at industry conferences and meetings with other regulators
• Regularly lead and participate in initiatives and special projects, including:
  • Leading and/or assisting with responses to oversight and access requests and referral exhibit requests
  • Conducting and/or facilitating Quality Assurance reviews

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience required. Advanced degree or law degree, preferred.
• Experience in the securities/financial industry with substantive knowledge of regulatory compliance in positions of increasing responsibility.
• Expert knowledge of relevant FINRA rules and the federal securities laws and demonstrated investigative experience.
• Expert knowledge of the securities markets and member firm operations and its books and records.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and in a positive manner with management, peers, and other constituencies to accomplish the mission and goals of NCFC.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written work product.
• Highly advanced written and verbal communication skills, including outstanding interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Highly advanced organizational skills with excellent attention to details, including an ability to work quickly on multiple time-sensitive matters.

Knowledge Requirements:

• Advanced-to-Expert knowledge of securities rules and regulations
• Advanced-to-Expert knowledge of firm business models, business lines, customer bases, products and services
• Advanced-to-Expert knowledge of all major review areas and the associated rule requirements
• Intermediate-to-Advanced knowledge of FINRA's risk fundamentals
• Awareness and understanding of internal policies and protocols

Skill Re