Compliance Director
Job description
About the role
This role represents a critical senior compliance function within a dynamic Chicago-based bank. The appointed individual will architect and manage the entire compliance lifecycle. Success requires ownership of examination strategy, regulatory readiness, and product governance. The role demands fluency across both digital innovation and traditional branch banking. You will operate with significant autonomy, shaping compliance infrastructure without the cushion of a large department.
Key facts
What you'll do
- Architect and control the bank's compliance management system.
- Own the annual testing calendar and risk assessments to ensure proactive alignment.
- Lead examination preparation covering all regulatory bodies and audit types.
- Manage the full lifecycle of information requests with precision and strict timeliness.
- Oversee the fair lending program, monitoring HMDA, ECOA, and associated risk assessments.
- Administer the CRA program, focusing on data integrity and examination readiness.
- Coordinate BSA/AML activities in partnership with the designated officer to maintain clear separation of duties.
- Manage deposit operations for digital and branch banking, ensuring adherence to Regulation E and Regulation DD.
- Provide compliance guidance for commercial lending activities, including C&I and CRE initiatives.
- Support new ventures such as collateralized consumer lending and IRA trustee services.
- Partner with credit and operations teams to embed compliance into the loan origination and servicing lifecycle.
- Maintain regulatory dashboards and management reporting suitable for Board and OCC examiner review.
Requirements
Candidates must possess 5-7 years of progressive bank compliance experience.
A deep understanding of OCC-supervised institutions is mandatory for this position.
Demonstrable expertise in consumer compliance is required across multiple regulatory domains.
This includes fair lending, CRA, Regulation E, and Regulation DD oversight and implementation.
Direct experience with OCC examinations is essential for navigating audit and assessment cycles.
You must have a track record of producing high-quality documentation and driving effective remediation plans.
Strong written communication is non-negotiable for producing examination responses and board-level materials.
Comfort with a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment is required to maintain momentum.
You must thrive when navigating regulatory uncertainty and building practical, defensible solutions.
A Bachelor's degree is a mandatory requirement for consideration in this senior role.
Additionally, a CRCM or CERP compliance certification is required to demonstrate specialized knowledge.
Nice to have
Experience with AI tools in a compliance context is strongly valued for efficiency and insight.
Look for applications in regulatory research, policy drafting, and ongoing monitoring activities.
Digital banking product knowledge is a significant advantage in understanding customer journeys.
This includes high-yield savings, consumer lending, and payment systems familiarity.
Familiarity with commercial lending compliance for complex entities is beneficial for broader oversight.
Background in fintech, holding companies, or multi-entity structures provides an operational edge.
BSA/AML coordination skills that allow for effective partnership with designated officers are a plus.
Experience with IRA trustee services or collateralized lending compliance is also advantageous for specialized product support.
Practical notes
Engagement is Full-time.
Location is Chicago, us.
About the role
This position represents a critical senior compliance function within a dynamic Chicago-based bank. The appointed individual will architect and manage the entire compliance lifecycle. Success requires ownership of examination strategy, regulatory readiness, and product governance. The role demands fluency across both digital innovation and traditional branch banking. You will operate with significant autonomy, shaping compliance infrastructure without the cushion of a large department.
Core Responsibilities
You will architect and control the bank's compliance management system. This includes owning the annual testing calendar and risk assessments. Examination preparation is a core function, covering all regulatory bodies and audit types. You will manage the full lifecycle of information requests, ensuring timely and precise responses.
Program oversight is a central duty. You will lead the fair lending program, monitoring HMDA, ECOA, and associated risk assessments. CRA program administration is your responsibility, including the CRA plan, data integrity, and examination readiness. You will also own BSA/AML coordination, working closely with the designated officer to maintain clear separation of duties.
Operational compliance spans multiple channels. You will manage deposit operations for digital and branch banking. This includes oversight of Regulation E and Regulation DD adherence. also, you will provide compliance guidance for commercial lending, covering C&I and CRE activities. Support for new ventures is expected, such as collateralized consumer lending and IRA trustee services.
Stakeholder management is integral to the role. You will partner with credit and operations teams to embed compliance into the loan origination and servicing lifecycle. Maintaining regulatory dashboards and management reporting falls within this scope. All documentation must be suitable for presentation to the Board and OCC examiners. You will navigate regulatory ambiguity with a solutions-oriented mindset, charting a defensible path rather than avoiding action.
Required Qualifications
Candidates must possess 5-7 years of progressive bank compliance experience. A deep understanding of OCC-supervised institutions is mandatory. Demonstrable expertise in consumer compliance is required. This includes fair lending, CRA, Regulation E, and Regulation DD.
Direct experience with OCC examinations is essential. You must have a track record of producing documentation and driving remediation. Strong written communication is non-negotiable. You must independently produce examination responses and board-level materials. Comfort with a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment is required. You must thrive when navigating regulatory uncertainty and building practical solutions.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with AI tools in a compliance context is strongly valued. Look for applications in regulatory research, policy drafting, and monitoring. Digital banking product knowledge is a significant advantage. This includes high-yield savings, consumer lending, and payment systems.
Familiarity with commercial lending compliance for complex entities is beneficial. Background in fintech, holding companies, or multi-entity structures provides an edge. BSA/AML coordination skills that allow for effective partnership with designated officers are a plus. Experience with IRA trustee services or collateralized lending compliance is also advantageous.
Education and Certification
A Bachelor's degree is a mandatory requirement. Additionally, a CRCM or CERP compliance certification is required.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is 160,000 - 195,000 USD.
Equal Opportunity
M1 is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
What you'll do
- Meet the bar Practical notes