Head of North American Compliance

Position: Head of North American Compliance (NY)

Entity: KBRA Holdings, LLC

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: New York, NY

Summary/Overview

Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (“KBRA”), a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”) regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), is seeking a Head of North American Compliance to join its Compliance Department and to serve as its Designated Compliance Officer. You will have a strong work ethic and be enthusiastic, highly motivated, and well-equipped to work closely with the other members of the Compliance Department as well as other departments on the types of matters described below in addition to other matters that may arise. The position will be based out of our New York office.  

About the Team

The Compliance Department is an important control function and it is responsible for KBRA’s compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and rules, as well as KBRA’s own internal codes, policies, and procedures.  The Compliance Department is also responsible for regulatory reporting, regulatory examinations, certain regulatory requests and compliance guidance. The Compliance Department works closely with analysts, legal, finance, technology, business development and senior management across the company. This role reports to our Global Head of Compliance and will have a reporting line to KBRA’s Board of Managers.

About the Job

As Head of North American Compliance, your responsibilities will be focused on KBRA’s activities in North America. These responsibilities include strengthening KBRA’s internal controls, writing, editing, and maintaining KBRA’s compliance codes, policies and procedures, overseeing various types of monitoring processes including securities trading, drafting and submitting regulatory reports, managing  certain regulatory inquiries and examinations and related document requests, interacting with internal and external stakeholders about compliance matters,  reporting to KBRA management and the Board and identifying and implementing improvements to KBRA’s compliance program and operations.

You will be responsible for the following:

• Regulatory Framework: You will learn and become knowledgeable about the regulatory frameworks applicable to NRSROs such that you can advise internal stakeholders on what is permissible pursuant to such laws, regulations and rules, the applicability of compliance policies and procedures to KBRA’s day to day activities and monitor any updates that may occur from time to time. You will understand how the regulatory frameworks affect all aspects of KBRA and its affiliates’ businesses.
• Internal Controls: You will review, refine and strengthen KBRA’s compliance internal controls and identify and help implement improvements to controls managed by other internal control functions. You will serve as a resource for other control functions with respect to compliance and regulatory-related questions that arise in KBRA’s operations.
• Compliance Program. You will become familiar with KBRA’s compliance program, how it incorporates regulatory requirements applicable to NRSROs, assess its efficacy on an ongoing basis and identify and implement enhancements as necessary.
• Policies and Procedures: You will become familiar with KBRA’s policies and procedures (Compliance and otherwise) and refine KBRA’s policies and procedures, their layout, arrangement and accessibility. You will regularly meet with relevant stakeholders to confirm the continued useability and accuracy of KBRA’s policies and procedures.
• Supervising Monitoring Duties: You will oversee KBRA’s internal control monitoring program and identify any additional areas to be monitored. You will create monitoring plans and provide oversight of and direction to KBRA’s monitoring program.
• Regulatory Reporting: You will manage and submit KBRA’s regulatory reports in relevant jurisdictions in North America (including Form NRSRO, Form 25-101F and related documents). You will create an affirmation system concerning the information you will collect from various stakeholders across the firm, and you will work closely with the Technology team to develop documented guidance on regulatory reporting for KBRA and its credit rating affiliates.
• Regulatory Examination Management: You will assist in management of KBRA’s interactions with KBRA’s regulators in North American jurisdictions, including the SEC’s Office of Credit Ratings (“SEC OCR”) and the Ontario Securities Commission,  and its annual examinations. You will collect, prepare and submit responses to certain regulatory inquiries and document and information requests, and be responsible for a positive constructive relationship with KBRA’s North American regulators, including the SEC OCR staff.
• Management of Compliance Staff: You will manage US-based compliance staff. You will identify and raise staffing issues and needs as they arise, and effectively manage your team to facilitate excellent work product and quick response time. In addition, you will provide the Compliance team members with opportunities for growth and development.
• Management and Board Reporting:  You will assist with the development of periodic and ad hoc reports to KBRA’s management and Board on compliance issues and the operating effectiveness of the Compliance Program.

About You

You are a highly detail-oriented and systems-minded operator who takes ownership of complex, ambiguous problems and drives them to resolution. You are comfortable working independently but know when to engage stakeholders to build alignment and move initiatives forward.

You have a strong bias toward structure and clarity, with a drive to improve and standardize existing processes. You are naturally curious, analytical, and able to connect data, systems, and workflows to business outcomes.

You are energized by transforming messy, inconsistent environments into clean, scalable, and well-documented systems, and you take pride in building solutions that reduce manual effort and improve reliability over time.

You will be successful in this role if you have

• Have a JD or equivalent
• Have at least 10 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated success in managing compliance team and enhancing organization and efficiency.
• Will be knowledgeable in SEC regulations with a particular focus on credit rating agencies
• Have experience in drafting and/or reviewing policies and procedures
• Have experience managing teams of people and large projects
• Have experience interacting regularly and effectively with all stakeholders within a company environment
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and a positive, hardworking approach to your work
• Have strong research, analysis, and organizational skills with particular focus on attention to detail
• Have knowledge of securities laws and experience working in highly regulated environments
• Are a self-starter and are efficient in your work
• Familiarity with Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT for research, data insights, and general productivity is a plus

Salary Range:

The anticipated annual base salary range for this full-time position is $250,000 to $300,000. Offer amounts are determined by factors such as experience, skills, geography, and other job-related factors.

Benefits:

• A hybrid work schedule (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays in the office)
• Competitive benefits and paid time off
• Paid family and disability leave
• 401(k) plan, including employer match (100% vested)
• Educational and professional development financial assistance
• Employee referral bonus program

About Us

Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority pursuant to the Temporary Registration Regime. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider.

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