Director - Compliance

The Director - Compliance at Ameriprise plays a crucial role in leading the Compliance Supervisory Controls Unit and Policy Support teams. The main responsibilities include managing the annual review of supervisory controls, ensuring compliance with FINRA and SEC regulations, overseeing testing procedures, and communicating compliance risks to various stakeholders. Additionally, this role involves providing training and mentorship to team members and collaborating with business partners to understand new initiatives and assess their impact on compliance processes.

To qualify for the Director - Compliance position at Ameriprise, candidates must possess a bachelor's degree or an equivalent 4-year qualification, along with 7 to 10 years of relevant compliance experience. Additionally, candidates must hold Series 7 and Series 24 certifications, demonstrating their knowledge of the financial services industry and applicable regulations. Strong leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications are also required to succeed in this role.

The Director - Compliance at Ameriprise significantly contributes to the company's mission by ensuring adherence to regulatory standards, thereby enhancing the integrity and trustworthiness of our financial services. By leading the Compliance Supervisory Controls Unit and fostering a culture of compliance, this role helps protect the company's reputation and positions Ameriprise as a trusted advisor for millions of clients, supporting our commitment to their financial well-being and success.

Success as a Director - Compliance at Ameriprise hinges on several essential skills including strong leadership capabilities, effective communication skills, and analytical problem-solving abilities. Candidates must also adeptly manage multiple priorities, stay updated on regulatory changes, and be able to collaborate across departments. Proficiency with data visualization tools and a deep understanding of financial services regulations are highly advantageous in this strategic role.

Ameriprise provides a competitive salary range for the Director - Compliance position, alongside a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and life insurance, as well as retirement savings options like a 401(k). The company promotes a culture of continuous learning and career growth, empowering you to make an impact in the compliance realm. Furthermore, Ameriprise values diversity and inclusiveness, ensuring a supportive workplace for all employees.

When answering this question, detail your knowledge and hands-on experience with key regulations such as FINRA and SEC guidelines. Highlight specific instances where you've effectively implemented these regulations in your previous roles, and discuss how you've maintained compliance in practice, showcasing your proactive approach to risk management.

Discuss your systematic approach to assessing compliance risks, including identifying potential vulnerabilities, analyzing past compliance failures, and engaging with different departments to gather insights. Provide examples of how your assessments led to actionable improvements or changes in policy that reduced risks.

Share a specific project where you effectively led compliance efforts, detailing your role in planning, execution, and follow-through. Highlight the positive outcomes, such as improved compliance metrics, reduced infractions, or enhanced education for staff, emphasizing your leadership and project management skills.

Illustrate your commitment to staying updated on compliance regulations by mentioning industry publications, professional networks, and continuing education courses you regularly engage with. Highlight any specific instances where your proactive learning directly benefited your organization.

Explain your strategies for fostering a culture of compliance, such as providing training and resources, promoting open communication about compliance issues, and recognizing compliance-driven behaviors. Share stories where your initiatives led to positive engagement with compliance protocols among team members.

Detail your approach to addressing non-compliance, focusing on open dialogue, education of the business unit on the importance of compliance, and finding solutions that meet regulatory requirements while accommodating their operational needs. Provide an example of a successful resolution.

Discuss the role of supervisory controls in providing assurance that an organization meets its regulatory obligations. Emphasize how these controls help prevent, detect, and correct compliance risks, and give examples of how you have implemented or improved supervisory controls in your previous roles.

Share your familiarity with conducting compliance audits, discussing the methods you've employed, how you prepare teams for audits, and any learnings or improvements that arose from these audits. Highlight the importance of audits in maintaining compliance integrity.

Explain your philosophy on integrating compliance into business strategy, focusing on alignment between the two. Provide an example where you successfully navigated the balance, ensuring that compliance fulfilled organizational goals without compromising regulatory standards.

Discuss your understanding of data visualization and how it aids in compliance reporting by providing clear, actionable insights. Mention tools you’ve used and how visual data representations have improved communication of complex compliance data to stakeholders.