Senior Associate, AML Compliance

Senior Associate, AML Compliance

The Senior Associate, AML Compliance is a dual-focus role with primary responsibility for administering the firm's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) for its FINRA-regulated BD operations and the firm's sanctions program for its RIA operations. This role also supports risk-based testing of selected BD and RIA compliance controls. The role requires a strong understanding of the differing regulatory obligations applicable to broker-dealers and registered investment advisers, including AML applicability, fiduciary obligations, disclosure requirements, and supervisory controls.

This position reports to the Executive Director, Compliance.

Administer, maintain, and enhance the BD's AML Program, including policies, procedures, and internal controls.

Oversee the Customer Identification Program (CIP), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD).

Administer and monitor the firm's sanctions program, including OFAC screening, potential-match review and escalation, and applicable recordkeeping.

Review client transactions, transaction-monitoring alerts, exception reports, and surveillance outputs related to broker-dealer activity.

Investigate potential suspicious activity and prepare, review, and file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with FinCEN.

Manage AML-related regulatory requests, law enforcement inquiries, and information-sharing requirements, including Section 314(a) requests.

Coordinate and deliver annual AML training to registered representatives and other applicable personnel.

Oversee AML service providers, surveillance tools, and clearing firm relationships.

Perform risk-based testing of selected compliance controls for BD and RIA requirements, including supervision, fiduciary duty, disclosures, conflicts of interest, communications, and recordkeeping.

Conduct walkthroughs, sample testing, and root-cause analysis to assess control design and operating effectiveness.

Prepare clear, regulator-ready testing reports with findings, risk ratings, and corrective action recommendations.

Track remediation efforts, validate closures, and maintain testing documentation for regulatory review.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

3+ years of experience in compliance, supervision, or a related function, preferably with a broker-dealer or RIA. Specific BSA/AML experience required.

Strong working knowledge of FINRA Rules 3310, 3110, and 3120; BSA/AML regulations; and Investment Advisers Act requirements.

Ability to assess and articulate regulatory distinctions between BD and RIA requirements.

Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.

Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Excel, including analyzing and reconciling large datasets, using pivot tables, lookup and conditional formulas, filtering and data-validation tools, and identifying trends, discrepancies, and exceptions.

Experience implementing and using AML technology and third-party screening or surveillance tools.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills for regulatory and executive audiences.

Independent judgment with a collaborative, risk-based approach.

Strong organizational and project management capabilities.

Coverage on the first day of employment for medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid parental leave (16 weeks for primary caregiver and 8 weeks for secondary caregiver)

In-office Monday through Thursday and work from home on Fridays

Mother's lounge onsite

Flexible PTO plan

Free gym in the Chicago office

401(k) matching plan

HSA employer contributions

Student loan assistance

Pet insurance

Base salary of $90,000 - $100,000 plus discretionary bonus (exact base salary amount will be dependent on experience)

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

EMPLOYER:

Hightower is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age (over 40), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related), gender identity or expression, genetic information including sickle cell or hemoglobin C trait, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local law.

You are a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident or possess other unrestricted U.S. work authorization and will not require sponsorship for U.S. work authorization now or anytime in the future