Director, Due Diligence

Cetera • Dallas, TX

6d • $192,000 - $288,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Due Diligence oversees and enhances the firm’s product research and oversight framework, ensuring a competitive, compliant, and strategically aligned product shelf across categories such as annuities, insurance, mutual funds, alternatives, and managed accounts. This role leads comprehensive product evaluations, conducts operational and regulatory reviews of asset managers, and produces detailed documentation and recommendations for governance committees. With deep expertise in industry products, regulatory standards, and risk management expectations, the Director maintains robust due‑diligence policies, governance processes, and audit‑ready records to support regulatory oversight and firm‑wide consistency while mentoring and developing a high‑performing due‑diligence team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance or a related field or equivalent.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in Product Due Diligence, preferably in the Financial Services Industry.
• Deep understanding of a broad financial product universe, including annuities, life insurance, mutual funds, ETFs, managed accounts, structured products, and alternative investments
• Understanding of market trends, product lifecycle economics, and competitive landscape analysis.
• Expertise in both quantitative and qualitative product evaluation methodologies (e.g., expenses, performance, risk measures, consistency, product structure, manager review).
• Knowledge of operational due‑diligence areas such as internal controls, trade processing, valuation practices, NAV analysis, and regulatory compliance programs
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks applicable to broker‑dealers (e.g., Reg BI, FINRA requirements, SEC oversight) and how they apply to product approval and oversight.
• Knowledge of best practices in due‑diligence processes for private investments, as well as compliance standards in dynamic regulatory environments
• Ability to develop and maintain policies, procedures, governance charters, and documentation required for regulatory compliance and audits.
• Capacity to evaluate complex product structures (e.g., crediting methods, riders, alternative investment strategies)
• Ability to manage the entire product portfolio with an eye toward competitiveness, profitability, and long‑term business strategy.
• Skill in defining product KPIs, evaluating product shelf gaps, and aligning offerings with firm growth objectives and customer demands.
• Capability to conduct marketplace research, design product roadmaps, and influence pricing and provider strategy.
• Ability to present findings to governance committees, senior leadership, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Skills in interacting with advisors to provide clarity on product analysis and due‑diligence outcomes.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to mentor, coach, and develop due‑diligence team members, fostering growth and enhancing skills.
• Experience supervising teams responsible for product analysis, tools, systems, and information management.
• Capability to drive organizational scaling, maintain continuity, and ensure consistent quality in due‑diligence processes.
• Ability to work with marketing, operations, technology, legal, risk, compliance, and distribution leadership to ensure product readiness and aligned communication.
• Skill in coordinating with internal audit and oversight bodies to ensure proper documentation and risk management.
• Ability to support advisors and supervision teams with research, tools, and product insights.
• Comfortable leveraging technology tools and platforms to streamline due‑diligence processes, manage product data, and ensure documentation accuracy.
• Ability to integrate product research, shelf management systems, and reporting tools to maintain transparency and accessibility.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and Enhance Product Due Diligence Processes
• Conduct Product Research and Analysis
• Monitor Ongoing Product Shelf Quality
• Conduct Operational and Regulatory Due Diligence
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
• Governance & Committee Leadership
• Strategic Product Portfolio Management
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Advisor Support
• Reporting & Documentation
• Leadership & Talent Development

Benefits

• Inclusive health, dental, vision and life insurance plans built to support diverse lifestyles, offer preventative care, and protect against hardship.
• Easy access to mental health benefits to meet our team members and their families where they are.
• 20 plus days of paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and 2 paid wellness days to give our employees the time they need to stay close with their loved ones, recharge, and give back to their communities.
• 401(k) Savings plan with a generous company contribution (up to 5%), and access to a financial professional to offer our employees the opportunity to plan-ahead for a strong financial future well beyond their working years.
• Paid parental leave to support all team members with birth, adoption, and foster.
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Account options to help you save money on healthcare, daycare, commuting, and more.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), LifeLock, Pet Insurance and more.

What This Job Offers

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