Director Compliance - Head of Trust & Broker-Dealer Compliance Testing

First Citizens Bank • Raleigh, NC

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director Compliance leads the independent Compliance Testing Program for First Citizens Bank’s Trust, Fiduciary, Wealth Management, Investment Advisory, and Broker-Dealer businesses. Reporting to the Senior Director, Head of Compliance Testing, this role directs compliance testing professionals who assess control effectiveness, identify regulatory risks, evaluate compliance with applicable requirements, and validate corrective actions. The role is hybrid in the Raleigh or Charlotte office, with a remote option considered for highly qualified candidates.

The Director oversees risk-based testing plans and engagements, maintains expertise in regulations affecting fiduciary and broker-dealer activities, monitors regulatory developments, and reports testing results and emerging risks to senior management. The role partners with Compliance Advisory, Legal, Risk Management, Internal Audit, business leadership, and other stakeholders while maintaining the independence of the testing function. It also leads and develops a team of testing managers, officers, and analysts, and supports ongoing improvements to testing through analytics, automation, and process enhancements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of experience in Compliance, Legal, Audit, Banking, or another related area; alternatively, a high school diploma or GED/equivalent and 14 years of related experience.
• FINRA Series 7, 24, and 65 or 66 licenses (listed as required).
• Ability to interpret complex regulations and devise logical solutions.
• Ability to influence, negotiate, and skillfully manage organizational change.

Nice To Haves

• 10 or more years of experience in Compliance Testing, Compliance Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Internal Audit, Securities Compliance, Trust Compliance, Wealth Management Compliance, Broker-Dealer Compliance, or related risk management functions within a large financial institution.
• Demonstrated experience leading compliance testing or audit programs covering fiduciary, wealth management, investment advisory, and broker-dealer businesses.
• Experience managing regulatory examinations, evaluating compliance control frameworks, assessing regulatory risks, and overseeing issue remediation.
• Strong knowledge of securities regulations, fiduciary activities, investment advisory business models, and FINRA/SEC regulatory expectations.
• Experience leading teams and managing complex compliance testing engagements across multiple business lines and regulatory domains.
• Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM).
• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
• Certified AML and Fraud Professional (CAFP).
• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP).
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
• Certified Fiduciary & Investment Risk Specialist (CFIR).
• Juris doctor (JD).

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and reporting of risk-based compliance testing across Trust, Fiduciary, Investment Advisory, Wealth Management, and Broker-Dealer business lines.
• Develop and execute annual and periodic testing plans based on regulatory risk assessments, emerging risks, regulatory changes, and business activities.
• Ensure testing assesses control design and operating effectiveness, compliance with laws and regulations, and adherence to internal policies and procedures.
• Provide credible challenge to business and compliance stakeholders on risks, control weaknesses, testing observations, and remediation strategies.
• Oversee validation of management corrective actions to ensure sustainable remediation of compliance issues and regulatory concerns.
• Monitor regulatory developments, enforcement actions, supervisory priorities, and industry trends; identify emerging risks and align testing coverage accordingly.
• Ensure testing follows enterprise methodologies, documentation standards, quality assurance requirements, and reporting protocols.
• Prepare and deliver reporting on testing results, emerging risks, root causes, issue trends, and remediation status; escalate significant issues and recurring themes to appropriate leaders and governance forums.
• Support regulatory examinations, internal audits, and independent reviews involving Compliance Testing activities.
• Partner with business leaders, Compliance Advisory, Legal, Enterprise Risk Management, Operations, and Internal Audit to strengthen controls and risk management practices while maintaining testing independence.
• Provide consultation and thought leadership on testing results, regulatory expectations, and industry best practices; support enterprise initiatives with independent risk perspectives and testing expertise.
• Promote continuous improvement through analytics, automation, data-driven testing, and process enhancements.
• Lead and develop Compliance Testing managers, officers, and analysts; establish objectives, resource strategies, performance expectations, and development plans.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and technical guidance; ensure consistent testing methodologies, quality standards, and reporting across assigned teams.
• Support succession planning and talent development within the Compliance Testing organization.

Benefits

• The company describes its benefits program as competitive, thoughtfully designed, and intended to meet associates’ needs; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director