Principal Investigator

FINRA • Jersey City, NJ

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal Investigator independently conducts complex, high-risk regulatory investigations under limited supervision. The role develops risk-based investigative strategies, identifies regulatory risks and emerging trends, builds thorough factual records, performs advanced data analysis, and prepares clear, well-documented findings, reports, referrals, and recommendations. The investigator partners with Enforcement attorneys and other RegOps teams, communicates with internal and external stakeholders, and may provide testimony in litigation. The position also serves as a knowledge resource, mentors less experienced investigators, and contributes to special projects, thematic reviews, analytics, tools, processes, and program strategy.

Four positions are available across these areas: VAST investigations involving financial exploitation of specified adults under FINRA Rule 2165; Recommendations investigations involving suitability, Regulation Best Interest, and recommendation-related misconduct; Market Conduct, Trade/Order Reporting & Reg Disclosure investigations involving reporting, disclosure, filing, transaction-reporting, and communications obligations; and Outside Business Activities/Private Securities Transactions investigations under FINRA Rules 3270 and 3280, including supervisory failures and complex or emerging transactions.

The position is in a hybrid work environment with defined in-person presence requirements. Extended hours and some travel may be required. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

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.
• Advanced knowledge of relevant FINRA rules, applicable SRO rules, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and federal securities laws; responsibility for staying current on regulatory rules, practices, and developments.
• Advanced knowledge of securities markets, member firm operations, books and records, firm business models, products, and services relevant to assigned misconduct areas.
• Advanced knowledge of risks, products, and emerging threats specific to assigned misconduct areas.
• 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 assigned misconduct areas.
• 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 skills, strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement abilities, and ability to discuss cases or issues accurately and succinctly with internal and external parties; ability to provide testimony in litigation when required.
• Advanced ability to conduct data analysis, identify patterns and anomalies, and apply analytical findings to investigative strategies.
• Advanced ability to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders and build productive working relationships across RegOps and the broader organization.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; 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; recognize priority matters and proactively identify 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 effectively in uncertain and fast-paced conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree such as an MBA or JD.
• Professional certification such as CFE, ACAMS, or CPA.
• Experience with analytical platforms, tools, and data-driven decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Independently lead complex, high-risk investigations involving complex fact patterns, multiple respondents, and varied products; develop and execute risk-based strategies under limited supervision.
• Gather evidence through document review, data analysis, correspondence, and testimony, and ensure findings are thorough, accurate, and well documented.
• Conduct advanced analysis using established methodologies and clearly articulate findings, exceptions, and assumptions.
• Partner with Enforcement attorneys to develop factual records, assess evidence sufficiency, and support potential charges and sanctions.
• Prepare clear, persuasive reports, referrals, and recommendations; communicate effectively with staff, respondents, and regulators; and provide litigation testimony as needed.
• Identify emerging trends and regulatory risks, escalate matters requiring reprioritization, and stay current on rule changes and industry developments.
• Provide guidance to fellow investigators and help identify and resolve inconsistencies in investigative approaches.
• Support less experienced investigators through guidance on techniques and processes, review of work product, and constructive feedback.
• Lead or participate in special projects, thematic reviews, and development of analytics, tools, and processes; support program strategy and continuous improvement.
• Engage professionally with member firms, regulators, and stakeholders and participate in compliance and education events.
• Demonstrate FINRA's values and collaborate in furtherance of investor protection and market integrity.
• For VAST assignments, investigate financial exploitation of specified adults and advise staff and stakeholders on elder exploitation red flags, diminished capacity, prevention practices, and policy development.
• For Recommendations assignments, investigate suitability, Reg BI, and recommendation-related misconduct; assess customer best interests, accounts, trading activity, fees, disclosures, harm, regulatory risk, supervisory controls, and conflicts of interest.
• For Market Conduct, Trade/Order Reporting & Reg Disclosure assignments, investigate broker-dealer reporting, disclosure, and filing obligations; analyze market and transaction reporting; and investigate communications violations.
• For Outside Business Activities/Private Securities Transactions assignments, investigate OBA and PST violations, undisclosed employment, conflicts of interest, selling away, firm supervisory failures, and complex or emerging transaction types.
• Manage multiple time-sensitive matters, establish and meet timelines, and balance independent work with team coordination.
• Some travel and extended hours may be required.

Benefits

• Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay; non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay in accordance with applicable law.
• 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, and eligibility to participate in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits.
• Adoption assistance, backup family care, 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, prorated in the first year as applicable.
• Two volunteer service days based on a full-time schedule.
• Paid military, jury duty, bereavement, voting and election official, family member care, childbirth, and parental leave, subject to stated eligibility and other conditions.
• Nine paid holidays for full-time employees.

What This Job Offers

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