Principal Investigator, Enforcement

The Principal Investigator performs investigative functions for all types of Enforcement cases in order to develop complete and factual investigative records. Non-complex matters are handled with minimal supervision or direction from managers.

We are searching for a candidate with experience in one or more of the following areas: market structure, trading algorithms, retail order routing logic, Reg SHO, trading strategies, Alternative Trading Systems, Regulation NMS, Best Execution Rule ( Rule 5310), and/or Market Access Rule (Rule 15c3-5).

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop complete and accurate factual record, including independent development of non-complex matters
• Determine and execute an effective risk-based investigative strategy
• Identify key documents and compile evidence supporting any type of charge, demonstrating independent understanding of evidence, legal requirements, potential defenses and Principal Considerations
• Draft requests for information that are clear, complete, and targeted
• Draft clear and complete summaries of factual findings
• Accurately and objectively assess and communicate with legal staff re: areas of weakness or ambiguity in factual findings
• Execute effective customer interviews
• Plan for and participate in and/or conduct OTRs of witnesses, demonstrating mastery of factual record and ability to create an effective record
• Ensure that Principal Considerations affecting sanctions are fully investigated
• Accurately and succinctly discuss any case or issue in meetings with respondents and other stakeholders
• Provide effective testimony in litigation
• Perform accurate data analysis in any matter, in accordance with well-established methodology, including independent analysis of non-complex matters
• Conduct advanced analysis in accordance with well-developed methodology
• Identify and resolve questions about the best approach to data analysis in order to ensure consistency in matters across FINRA
• Identify new investigative or analytics techniques as needed and assess the model for consistency with accepted approaches
• Effectively describe data analysis and findings, noting exceptions or assumptions embedded in analysis
• Identify interpretive or novel issues, and participate in discussions with other departments regarding interpretive issues
• Communicate with other investigative units across FINRA to problem-solve and resolve conflicts in investigative approaches or inconsistent findings
• Efficiently complete all types of matters timely, independently completing non-complex investigations
• Establish timelines and achieve them, including directing the work of other team members to progress the case in a timely fashion
• Actively monitor investigations to ensure they are focused and targeted
• Identify and escalate matters or issues that require re-prioritization, and recommend next steps or alternative approaches
• Prioritize risks and needs appropriately
• Provide work product that requires minimal change or re-direction
• Avoid unnecessary investigative steps and identify necessary inquiries in real time
• Contribute meaningfully to case discussions and meetings, facilitating efficient progress of the case
• Collaborate with legal staff to produce a sound factual record supported by a clear legal framework in all types of matters, including independent collaboration on non-complex matters
• Partner with legal staff to plan investigation and fully develop the record in all matters, including matters involving complex fact patterns, new rules, multiple respondents, large numbers of customers or other affected parties, complex or new products, high likelihood of litigation, and high risk activity that requires urgent response
• Ensure that information requests are guided by a clearly defined legal framework
• Incorporate legal guidance into investigation planning and execution throughout the course of the matter
• Proactively identify and discuss relevant and accurate factual findings with legal staff
• Provide clear and accurate factual findings to legal staff, and provide insight from industry experience and/or subject matter expertise to help objectively assess the sufficiency of evidence
• Demonstrate ability to perform independently in non-complex investigations, and provide high quality work in team-based matters
• Conduct accurate investigation and analysis in any matter
• Identify opportunities to work with other staff or leverage other matters for more efficient results, and manage team’s work product
• Ensure that team members’ contributions result in a consistent and coherent record and analysis
• Identify potential team members based on expertise, skills, and case demands
• Counsel other staff on efficient ways to leverage collective knowledge and work across the organization
• Where possible, identify routine investigative tasks to be assigned to more appropriate staff, and effectively communicate with other team members about factual and legal issues for analysis
• Identify assignments for other staff members where possible to achieve more efficient results
• Keep managers informed and incorporate feedback into planning and execution
  
  

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field, or the equivalent; MBA preferred. Seven (7) years of directly related experience.
• Substantial knowledge of rules, regulations, and guidelines governing the securities industry.
• Competence using a desktop computer with the full suite of office software applications.
  
  

Working Conditions:

• Work outside of normal business hours and overnight travel may be required.
  
  

For work that is performed in CA, Washington, DC, CO, HI, MN, VT, New York, NY, WA and MD the chart below outlines the proposed salary range for the corresponding location. In addition to location, actual compensation is based on various factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s skill set, level of experience, education, and internal peer compensation comparisons.

California: Minimum Salary $106,400, Maximum Salary $200,200

Washington, DC/Maryland: Minimum Salary $106,400 Maximum Salary $191,800

Colorado/Hawaii/Minnesota/Vermont: Minimum Salary $92,500, Maximum Salary $166,800

New York, NY: Minimum Salary $111,000, Maximum Salary $200,200

Washington State: Minimum Salary $92,500, Maximum Salary $191,800

To be considered for this position, please submit an application. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

The information provided above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work of the position. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required.

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Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. FINRA provides comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance. Additional insurance includes basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment, short- and long-term disability, long-term care, business travel accident, disability and legal. FINRA offers immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match and eligibility for participation in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution, tuition reimbursement and many other benefits.

Time Off and Paid Leave*

FINRA encourages its employees to focus on their health and wellness in many ways, including through a generous time-off program of 15 days of paid time off, 5 personal days and 9 sick days (all pro-rated in the first year). Additionally, we are proud to support our communities by providing two volunteer service days (based on full-time schedule). Other paid leave includes military leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, voting and election official leave for federal, state or local primary and general elections, care of a family member leave (available after 90 days of employment); and childbirth and parental leave (available after 90 days of employment). Full-time employees receive nine paid holidays.

• Based on full-time schedule
  
  

Important Information

FINRA’s Code of Conduct imposes restrictions on employees’ investments and requires financial disclosures that are uniquely related to our role as a securities regulator. FINRA employees are required to disclose to FINRA all brokerage accounts that they maintain, and those in which they control trading or have a financial interest (including any trust account of which they are a trustee or beneficiary and all accounts of a spouse, domestic partner or minor child who lives with the employee) and to authorize their broker-dealers to provide FINRA with duplicate statements for all of those accounts. All of those accounts are subject to the Code’s investment and securities account restrictions, and new employees must comply with those investment restrictions—including disposing of any security issued by a company on FINRA’s Prohibited Company List or obtaining a written waiver from their Executive Vice President—by the date they begin employment with FINRA. Employees may only maintain securities accounts that must be disclosed to FINRA at one or more securities firms that provide an electronic feed (e-feed) of data to FINRA, and must move securities accounts from other securities firms to a firm that provides an e-feed within three months of beginning employment.

You can read more about these restrictions here.

As standard practice, employees must also execute FINRA’s Employee Confidentiality and Invention Assignment Agreement without qualification or modification and comply with the company’s policy on nepotism.

Search Firm Representatives

Please be advised that FINRA is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for this employment opportunity. Regardless of past practice, a valid written agreement and task order must be in place before any resumes are submitted to FINRA. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at FINRA without a valid written agreement and task order in place will be deemed the sole property of FINRA and no fee will be paid in the event that person is hired by FINRA.

FINRA is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other classification protected by federal state or local laws as appropriate, or upon the protected status of the person’s relatives, friends or associates.

FINRA abides by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability, and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

FINRA abides by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans, and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.

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