Principal Investigator, Anti-Money Laundering

FINRA•Jersey City, NJ

22h•$112,300 - $202,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal Investigator is an advanced professional who independently conducts and completes high-risk, complex money laundering-related investigations focused on detecting, investigating, and mitigating trends, typologies, threats, and risks in the securities industry. The role exercises strong independent judgment to develop investigative strategies, identify regulatory risks, and produce comprehensive, well-documented findings that support sound regulatory outcomes. Working under limited supervision, the Principal Investigator handles matters involving complex fact patterns, multiple respondents, varied rules and products, and elevated regulatory risk. The role contributes expertise to the team, shares knowledge with peers and less experienced staff, and collaborates with Enforcement, Risk and Intelligence, Examinations, and other Regulatory Operations partners in support of FINRA’s mission of investor protection and market integrity. Investigations may test a firm’s AML Compliance Program, including suspicious transaction detection and reporting, customer identification, customer due diligence, and due diligence for correspondent accounts of foreign financial institutions, or address registered representative misconduct related to illicit finance. The position works in a hybrid environment with defined in-person presence requirements. Extended hours and some travel may be required. Listed salary ranges vary by location; employees may also be eligible for a discretionary bonus. FINRA provides a range of insurance, retirement, leave, and other benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
At least seven years of progressive experience in the securities, financial services, or financial regulatory industry, with substantive knowledge of regulatory compliance.
Demonstrated experience conducting enforcement-oriented, regulatory, or financial investigations of varying complexity.
Experience contributing to team projects, training, or initiatives in an investigative, examination, or enforcement environment.
Familiarity with investigative technologies, data analysis tools, and data strategies.
FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) certification or acceptable industry equivalent certification is required upon hire or within 16 months of the start date of the assigned SIE training cohort.
Advanced knowledge of relevant FINRA rules, applicable SRO rules, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and federal securities laws, and responsibility for staying current with regulatory rules, practices, and developments.
Advanced knowledge of securities markets, member firm operations, books and records, firm business models, products, and services relevant to areas of misconduct.
Advanced knowledge of risks, products, and emerging threats specific to areas of misconduct.
Strong understanding of regulatory compliance issues and risks associated with firm business lines and customer bases.
Awareness of industry events, emerging trends, and regulatory developments pertinent to areas of misconduct.
Familiarity with FINRA’s organizational structure, departmental mandates, internal applications, and associated data.
Advanced ability to independently assess investigative strategy, develop risk-based approaches, interpret complex data and evidence, make sound decisions, and progress complex investigations to resolution under limited supervision.
Advanced written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to discuss cases accurately and succinctly and provide testimony in litigation when required.
Advanced analytical ability to conduct data analysis, identify patterns and anomalies, and apply findings to investigative strategies.
Advanced ability to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders and build productive working relationships across Regulatory Operations and the broader organization.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple time-sensitive matters, establish and meet timelines, and balance independent work with team coordination.
Advanced ability to identify, prioritize, and escalate risk and recognize priority matters and emerging trends, threats, and regulatory issues.
Demonstrated ability to guide and mentor less experienced staff and contribute to training and staff development.
Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision, proactively identify needs and opportunities, and adapt to uncertain and fast-paced conditions.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree such as an MBA or JD.
A professional certification such as CFE, ACAMS, or CPA.
Experience with analytical platforms, tools, and data-driven decision-making.

Responsibilities

Independently lead and conduct high-risk, complex money laundering-related investigations, developing and executing effective, risk-based investigative strategies under limited supervision.
Test firms’ AML Compliance Programs and investigate matters involving suspicious transaction detection and reporting, customer identification, customer due diligence, correspondent-account due diligence, or registered representative misconduct related to illicit finance.
Gather evidence through document review, data analysis, written correspondence, verbal communication, and on-the-record testimony; ensure findings are thorough, accurate, and clearly documented.
Conduct advanced data analysis using established methodologies; resolve questions about analytical approaches and clearly describe analyses, findings, exceptions, and assumptions.
Partner with Enforcement attorneys to develop factual records within legal frameworks, assess evidence sufficiency, and support potential charges and sanctions.
Prepare clear, complete, and persuasive written summaries, investigative reports, referrals to Enforcement and external agencies, and recommendations.
Communicate with FINRA staff, respondents, regulators, and other stakeholders, and provide testimony in litigation when required.
Identify emerging money laundering-related trends, threats, novel issues, and regulatory risks; escalate matters requiring reprioritization and recommend solutions.
Stay current on rule changes, interpretations, and industry developments.
Serve as a subject matter expert on money laundering-related trends, typologies, threats, and risks in the securities industry, providing guidance to investigations, examination, risk monitoring, and enforcement teams.
Apply familiarity with fraud and cyber threat vectors given their overlap with AML, fraud, and cyber threats.
Mentor and support less experienced investigators, review their work product, and provide constructive feedback as directed by management.
Participate in or lead special projects, regulatory initiatives, thematic reviews, and the development of analytics, investigative tools, or processes; contribute to program strategy and continuous improvement.
Lead or support initiatives focused on mitigating money laundering-related typologies, threats, and risks in the securities industry.
Engage professionally with member firms, external regulators, and industry stakeholders; participate in member firm and investor education activities, including compliance events; and represent FINRA at meetings as directed.
Demonstrate FINRA’s values and collaborate, in person and virtually, in furtherance of investor protection and market integrity.

Benefits

Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
Short- and long-term disability, long-term care, business travel accident, and legal insurance.
Immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match.
Eligibility to participate in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution.
Tuition reimbursement.
Commuter benefits.
Adoption assistance, backup family care, and surrogacy benefits.
Employee assistance and wellness programs.
Paid time off starting at 15 days and increasing with years of service up to 25 days.
Five personal days and nine sick days.
Two volunteer service days for employees on a full-time schedule.
Military leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, voting and election official leave, care of a family member leave after 90 days of employment, and childbirth and parental leave after 90 days of employment.
Nine paid holidays for full-time employees.