Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)

As the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) at Dakota, you will lead our global compliance strategy and oversee compliance for both U.S. and European operations. Key responsibilities include guiding the company's journey to becoming a Money Services Business and ensuring adherence to AML, KYC, and financial crime compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions. This pivotal role involves regulatory engagement, program development, and team leadership as we navigate the evolving landscape of digital assets.

To qualify for the Chief Compliance Officer position at Dakota, candidates should have 8+ years of experience in financial services, fintech, or crypto. A strong background in BSA/AML, financial crime compliance, and regulatory licensing is essential. Additionally, a deep understanding of crypto regulations, tax compliance, and agency collaboration is a must, along with excellent leadership and communication skills to convey regulatory policies internally.

The Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) at Dakota will build and lead a specialized compliance team, hiring experts in AML, regulatory affairs, and financial crime compliance. This role involves not just management but also actively partnering with product and engineering teams to integrate compliance tools and automation, creating a comprehensive compliance framework that scales with our unique business model.

At Dakota, the Chief Compliance Officer acts as the primary liaison with U.S. and European regulatory authorities, such as FinCEN and state regulators. This entails ensuring timely regulatory filings, facilitating audits, and maintaining compliance reporting. Engaging with regulators and banking partners to drive compliance approvals is a core component of this role, enabling smooth operations in a challenging regulatory landscape.

As Dakota's Chief Compliance Officer, you will benefit from competitive salary and equity structures, employee-friendly terms, and a remote work environment that promotes work-life balance. Additionally, Dakota offers paid co-working spaces, comprehensive health benefits, and regular team events, ensuring you have all the resources and support you need to thrive in this pivotal leadership role.

Discuss your method for staying updated on regulatory changes. Highlight how you anticipate these changes and adapt compliance policies accordingly. Mention specific tools or strategies that have worked for you in the past.

Share detailed examples of compliance frameworks you designed, focusing on specific goals achieved through these programs. Emphasize your role in building these programs from the ground up and how they aligned with company objectives.

Be honest about challenges you've encountered, such as delays in approvals or misunderstandings around regulations. Focus on how you navigated these issues and what you learned from those experiences, highlighting your ability to foster relationships with regulators.

Discuss your understanding of AML and KYC requirements and the specific actions you've taken in previous roles to establish effective compliance policies. Provide insights into team training, program audits, and continuous monitoring processes.

Outline your experiences related to crypto compliance, emphasizing any licenses you've obtained or compliance programs you've led specifically focused on digital assets. Mention how you keep pace with regulatory trends in the crypto space.

Share your vision for building a compliance team, including key roles you believe are essential. Explain how you would facilitate collaboration within the team and between departments to foster a strong compliance culture.

Provide an overview of a specific compliance audit you managed. Detail your responsibilities, the preparation process, audit findings, and the steps taken to address any issues, emphasizing proactive improvements made as a result.

Articulate how a strong compliance program can support business growth by reducing risks and building trust with customers. Give examples of how you have successfully advocated for compliance as an integral business function.

Discuss your approach to regulatory reporting, highlighting the importance of accuracy and timeliness. Share any tools or systems you've found effective in streamlining reporting processes, as well as the importance of training team members on these systems.

Reflect on the dynamic nature of the fintech industry and the challenge of maintaining compliance while driving innovation. Discuss how you would strike a balance between regulatory adherence and supporting the company's growth objectives.