Full-Time

Chief Compliance & Audit Officer

Posted on 11/19/2024

Unison

Unison

51-200 employees

Home equity sharing for debt-free financing

Financial Services
Real Estate

Compensation Overview

$185k - $220kAnnually

+ Bonus + Equity Potential

Senior

San Francisco, CA, USA

Hybrid position requiring three full days in the San Francisco, CA office.

Category
Risk & Compliance
Legal & Compliance
Requirements
  • Minimum of 8 years in core compliance and 10–15 years of progressively responsible experience in mortgage or consumer lending, mortgage origination, and servicing loan portfolios.
  • Strong background in mortgage banking, including pipeline management, risk analysis, and operational compliance.
  • Working knowledge of mortgage lending, underwriting, and servicing processes, with an ability to identify risk factors.
  • Expertise in mortgage regulations, including Regulation Z, TRID, ATR, RESPA, AML, UDAAP, and vendor management.
  • Experience building a compliance framework in a startup environment.
  • Proven leadership skills with a track record of building and managing high-performing teams.
  • Strong strategic and tactical planning capabilities.
  • High-level communication skills with the ability to engage external regulators and stakeholders.
  • Certified Mortgage Compliance Professional (CMCP) designation.
Responsibilities
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive compliance management system to ensure enterprise-wide compliance.
  • Structure and lead the Compliance Committee and Compliance Policy Approval Committee.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies and procedures.
  • Regularly assess and update policies, procedures, and practices to align with evolving laws and regulations.
  • Oversee internal and external audits, including Federal and State examinations.
  • Identify, evaluate, and implement compliance strategies for newly enacted laws and regulations.
  • Perform internal AML assessments and ensure compliance with fraud prevention standards.
  • Conduct two separate risk assessments for regulatory and fair lending.
  • Oversee compliance testing, reporting, and the preparation of Compliance Committee decks.
  • Manage relationships with regulatory bodies and ensure timely responses to inquiries.
  • Oversee and review Fair Lending, HMDA, NMLS, and state-specific reporting.
  • Manage vendor compliance, including testing plans for subservicers and review of policies and disaster recovery plans.
  • Develop and deliver compliance training for employees, emphasizing mortgage-specific regulations and best practices.
  • Establish employee compliance training initiatives and maintain a schedule for periodic reviews and updates.
  • Perform internal compliance audits and identify areas for improvement.
  • Maintain consistent policy and audit schedules, ensuring timely resolution of identified risks.
  • Oversee and review branch annual audits and internal audit policy testing.

Unison provides a financial service that allows homeowners to access the value of their home equity without taking on debt. Instead of traditional loans, homeowners can enter into a home equity sharing agreement, where they receive cash in exchange for a portion of their home equity. This means Unison becomes a co-investor in the property, sharing in any future changes in its value. This approach helps homeowners avoid monthly payments and interest, making it easier for them to use the funds for various needs like paying off debt, funding retirement, or starting a business. Unison differentiates itself from competitors by aligning its financial interests with those of the homeowner, as both benefit from the property's appreciation. The company's goal is to make housing more financially accessible and provide homeowners with the flexibility they need to improve their financial situations.

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

$243.2M

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Founded

2004

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

-2%

1 year growth

-13%

2 year growth

-7%
Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Unison's innovative model provides homeowners with financial flexibility without the burden of monthly payments or interest.
  • The company's successful securitizations, including a recent $215 million transaction, demonstrate strong market acceptance and growth potential.
  • Recognition of CEO Thomas Sponholtz in Inman's '2023 Best of Proptech' highlights Unison's leadership and innovation in the proptech space.

What critics are saying

  • The relatively new concept of home equity sharing may face slower adoption due to lack of consumer awareness and understanding.
  • Market fluctuations in real estate values could impact the financial outcomes for both Unison and homeowners.

What makes Unison unique

  • Unison's home equity sharing model offers a debt-free alternative to traditional home loans, setting it apart from conventional financial services.
  • The company's alignment of interests with homeowners through shared appreciation or depreciation of property value creates a unique value proposition.
  • Unison's securitization of home equity sharing agreements, rated by DBRS Morningstar, enhances its credibility and attracts institutional investors.

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Benefits

Generous PTO

Parental leave

Volunteer days

100% employer paid health coverage

Additional sick days

$2k yearly learning stipend

Monthly 1/2 day off for development