Chief Compliance Officer - Broker Dealer
New York
Legal & Compliance /
Full-time /
Hybrid
About Wintermute
Wintermute is a technology unicorn and one of the leading global players in the digital asset markets. Wintermute is the largest crypto-native algorithmic trading company providing liquidity across all major exchanges and trading platforms. Our OTC desk offers a wide range of spot and derivatives products and supports over 2,000 counterparties across crypto natives and traditional financial institutions. We actively participate in the development of the blockchain ecosystem by being one of the largest players in DeFi as well as our investments arm, partnerships and incubations.
Wintermute was founded in 2017 by trading industry leaders and has successfully navigated multiple crypto industry cycles. Culturally, we combine the best of the two worlds: the technology standards of high-frequency trading firms in traditional markets and the innovative and entrepreneurial culture of technology startups. Read more here.
Nature of the role:
We are looking for a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) who will assume primary responsibility for ensuring broker-dealer compliance with SEC, FINRA and applicable state rules/ regulations. The primary responsibility would be to design, implement and maintain the broker-dealer compliance program, develop and work in tandem with the Wintermute’s global compliance team to ensure compliance with relevant regulatory requirements.
The successful candidate will develop Wintermute’s global regulatory position in relation to the US financial markets regulations, and as a bonus, lead its discussions on digital assets policy with leading crypto associations as well as federal and state regulators, analyse, collaborate with policy colleagues to comment on proposed bills in the US as they are promulgated.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and advise the business on issues relating to US financial markets regulations, including securities law issues, as well as develop and implement solutions aligned with Wintermute’s business objectives and its global regulatory and compliance strategy.
- Establish and implement standards, policies and procedures for the broker-dealer compliance program.
- Manage the firm’s FINRA Gateway filings, complete periodic regulatory reporting submissions, and coordinate broker-dealer audits and inspections.
- Oversee trade related compliance activities, including the reporting for equity securities.
- Coordinate responses to inquiries from regulatory authorities.
- Manage all aspects of the US firm’s AML compliance program. Collaborate with other control functions such as compliance, risk, operations to address any regulatory issues which may impact the function, business or product.
- Assist with development, maintenance and delivery of compliance related materials, including policies and procedures, manuals and training materials against regulatory requirements and best practices.
- Review and approve marketing materials, ensuring it complies with applicable financial promotion rules.
- Support compliance and regulatory projects, including authorisations, transaction monitoring and surveillance. Investigating and analyzing automated transaction monitoring alerts.
- Involvement in regulatory horizon scanning, including interpreting the regulation, scoping and analysis, and implementing new regulation changes.
- Reviewing new publications from regulators and communicating their impact to stakeholders.
- Coordinate and lead Wintermute’s response to regulatory inquiries, examinations or investigations emanating from the US as well as other cross-border regulatory matters as may be required.
- Develop regulatory and operational strategy for new products in multiple jurisdictions in coordination with the business and product teams.
- Ideally, lead on Wintermute’s digital assets policy with leading crypto associations, federal and state regulators, and analyse, consider and comment on proposed bills as they are promulgated.
Hard Skills Requirements:
- Series 7 and 24 licenses required.
- At least 8+ years of compliance experience, preferably in a senior role supporting a broker-dealer OR with similar experience as a practising financial markets compliance and regulatory US-qualified attorney gained in a top-tier US law firm. Additional in-house experience for a broker-dealer is preferred but not mandatory.
- Strong understanding of regulatory agencies’ rule and regulations, especially SEC and FINRA rules.
- Excellent knowledge of US securities and money transmission laws as it applies to proprietary trading firms as well as demonstrable experience dealing with regulatory agencies such as the SEC and FINRA.
- Experience in relation to proprietary trading, financial services and/or crypto.
- Strong attention to detail and able to prioritize workload to meet tight deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Other Requirements
- ATS experience and TRACE reporting experience.
- Previous experience in securities trading. Strong interest and curiosity in algorithmic trading and decentralized finance
- Owner mentality: you focus on protecting the company from compliance risk while being driven by the best for the company in terms of growth and commercial success.
- An inherent sense of self-motivation to take control and deliver on projects by being hands-on and identifying the right external resources to solve specific questions within a project.
- A healthy dose of common sense, the ability to be nimble and apply legal concepts to problem-solve in a US and non-US context, and willingness to adapt and learn quickly when faced with novel issues.
- Proven ability to be both a strategic thinker and excellent at execution and being hands-on; drive to do whatever it takes to get things done.
- Sharing Wintermute culture values: determination/ambition and humility; drive to action, ability to both influence others and listen/ learn from others
- Like meritocracy and being ready to be judged by what you deliver (vs pedigree or former experience)
- Have an entrepreneurial mindset vs 9-to-5 mentality; prepared to work non-standard working hours as and if required
Join our dynamic team and benefit from:
- Working at one of the most innovative trading firms globally.
- Engaging projects offering accelerated responsibilities and ownership compared to traditional finance environments.
- A vibrant working culture with frequent team meals, holiday celebrations, gaming events, and company-wide outings, including our annual Wintermute weekend getaway.
- Great company culture: informal, non-hierarchical, ambitious, highly professional with a startup vibe, collaborative and entrepreneurial.
- A performance-based compensation with a significant earning potential.
Note:
- Although we are unable to accept fully remote candidates, we support significant flexibility in regards to working from home and working hours.
