Head of Product Control & IPV

About the role

Clear Street is seeking a Head of Product Control & IPV to lead the product control function and intellectual property verification efforts across the organization. This senior leadership position is based in New York and reports into the executive team. The role owner will be responsible for shaping product governance frameworks, overseeing risk and compliance processes, and ensuring that all product offerings meet regulatory and internal standards. The Head of Product Control & IPV will work closely with engineering, legal, and business stakeholders to align product development with control objectives and intellectual property strategy, playing a central role in defining how Clear Street evaluates, monitors, and governs its product portfolio from a risk and IP perspective.

Key facts

What you'll do

Lead the product control function and set the strategic direction for product governance across the company.

Oversee intellectual property verification processes to ensure all products comply with IP regulations and internal policies.

Collaborate with engineering teams to review product designs and identify potential control gaps or IP risks.

Develop and maintain product control policies, procedures, and documentation that align with industry best practices.

Manage a team of product control professionals and provide mentorship, coaching, and performance feedback.

Partner with legal and compliance departments to assess regulatory requirements affecting product development and IP management.

Conduct regular product reviews and risk assessments to ensure ongoing adherence to control frameworks.

Present product control metrics and IPV status reports to senior leadership and board-level stakeholders.

Drive improvements in product control tooling and automation to increase efficiency and accuracy of reviews.

Represent the product control function in cross-functional initiatives, product launches, and strategic planning sessions.

Coordinate with external auditors and regulators during product control reviews and IP due diligence exercises.

Establish key performance indicators for product control effectiveness and track them over time to drive continuous improvement.

Ensure all product documentation and control records are maintained in accordance with regulatory retention requirements.

Requirements

Minimum of ten years of experience in product control, risk management, or a related financial services discipline.

Demonstrated leadership experience managing a team of product control or compliance professionals in a regulated environment.

Deep understanding of intellectual property frameworks, patent landscapes, and IP verification methodologies.

Strong knowledge of financial services regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and applicable clearing and settlement rules.

Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, law, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.

Experience working at a financial technology firm, exchange, or clearinghouse is highly valued.

Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex regulatory and technical documents.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills for presenting findings and recommendations to diverse audiences.

Ability to travel occasionally for site visits, regulatory meetings, or industry conferences as needed.

Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and shifting regulatory landscapes.

Proven track record of building and sustaining effective product control organizations within fast-moving technology environments.

Nice to have

Prior experience leading product control at a company involved in securities clearing, settlement, or custody services.

Familiarity with data analytics platforms and dashboards used for monitoring product risk and IP portfolios.

Background in building and scaling compliance or control functions from the ground up in a startup or growth-stage environment.

Professional certifications such as CPA, CFA, or FRM that demonstrate advanced expertise in financial controls and risk.

Skills & tools

Product control frameworks and methodologies for financial services organizations.

Intellectual property verification tools and patent database platforms.

Regulatory analysis and compliance monitoring software.

Data visualization and reporting tools for product risk dashboards.

Project management and team leadership methodologies.

Financial services clearing, settlement, and custody operating models.

Workflow automation and document management systems used in product control operations.

Practical notes

This role is based in Clear Street's New York office with a requirement for on-site presence during standard business hours.

The Head of Product Control & IPV will report directly to the CEO or COO and work within a small, high-performing leadership team.

Candidates should expect a rigorous interview process including multiple rounds with senior leadership and potential team members.

Clear Street is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates across all backgrounds and identities.