Current Opportunities

(As of May 16, 2013)

Investigator, Compliance
Administrative Assistant, OTC Derivatives
Compliance Examiner, OTC Derivatives
Senior Compliance Examiner, OTC Derivatives
Manager, OTC Derivatives
Director, OTC Derivatives

Application Process

Investigator, Compliance

An Investigator's main responsibility is to support NFA's regulatory programs through examinations, investigations and financial surveillance of NFA Members. Common duties include in-office monitoring and on-site examinations of a Member's books and records and analyzing its business and financial operations to ensure compliance with NFA's requirements. An Investigator also performs detailed trade analysis, reviews and investigates customer complaints, conducts fact-finding interviews, evaluates evidence to determine whether a Member has violated any rules and gathers evidence for possible disciplinary cases. An Investigator interacts with the investing public, as well as, senior staff, attorneys and officers at NFA Member firms.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate will meet the following requirements:

• A bachelor's degree and at least one year of equivalent work experience in compliance and/or fraud auditing
• Series 3 licensed, strong industry/regulatory knowledge and trading experience/market knowledge preferred
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience with research, investigative techniques and interviews beneficial
• Ability to travel 20 - 40% as part of a team

Location: Chicago

Administrative Assistant, OTC Derivatives

The Administrative Assistant will provide administrative support to the Swaps department, including typing, filing, compiling data for internal and external reports, ordering supplies, attending department meetings and taking notes, opening and distributing mail daily, answering phone calls, scheduling appointments and registering guests. Also, coordinate with the HR Generalist on external training events. In addition, gather information on conferences and coordinate conference attendance.

Furthermore,

• Assist in the preparation of internal training programs, including, coordinating equipment, materials, and room-set up for training classes.
• Assist with preparation and formatting of power point and other presentations.
• Provide research assistance to department.
• Assist in coordinating the audit schedule based on changing priorities and communicate those changes to the appropriate staff.
• Assist HR Generalist in administrative tasks related to recruiting and on-boarding new hires.

Lastly, may be required to participate in special projects as needed.

Requirements: Associate's degree and at least 2 years of administrative experience or equivalent work experience. Strong working knowledge of Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Willingness to gain basic knowledge of other programs valued. Strong analytical and conceptual problem solving skills. Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills. Excellent planning and organizational skills with the ability to work independently and effectively under pressure. Must be flexible and able to work cooperatively in a team setting. High degree of confidentiality with excellent judgment and diplomacy.

Location: New York

Compliance Examiner, OTC Derivatives

The Compliance Examiner participates in compliance audits of registered Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants in the OTC derivatives markets. This is an opportunity to be part of a growing team that is responsible for administering the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act regulations to the OTC markets in the financial industry. You will be responsible for reviewing compliance documentation as well as participating in field examinations of registered member firms. This position will likely involve extensive travel to domestic and foreign Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants.

• Review and comment on documentation submitted by swap dealers and major swap participants pursuant to Commodity Exchange Act Section 4s Implementing Regulations.
• Participate in field examinations member firms' OTC derivatives businesses in order to identify key issues, including possible compliance deficiencies or violations. Review issues with the senior audit staff and assist in preparing post-audit reports.
• Engage in day-to-day communications with swap dealers, major swap participants and other industry professionals as required to assist firms in complying with Dodd Frank and NFA requirements.

Requirements:

• BA/BS in Business concentration (Accounting, Finance)
• Work experience in compliance or auditing preferred
• Work experience relating to OTC derivative products and entities that engage in swaps is preferred
• Knowledge of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act as it pertains to swap transactions and swaps intermediaries is considered a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a positive attitude
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment

Location: Chicago and New York

Senior Compliance Examiner, OTC Derivatives

The Senior Compliance Examiner is a key member of the team assigned to conduct compliance audits of registered Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants in the OTC derivatives markets. This is an opportunity to be part of a growing team that is responsible for administering the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act regulations to the OTC markets in the financial industry. You will be responsible for reviewing compliance documentation as well as leading areas of field examinations of registered member firms. This position will likely involve extensive travel to domestic and foreign Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants.

• Review documentation submitted by swap dealers and major swap participants pursuant to Commodity Exchange Act Section 4s Implementing Regulations. Engage with dealer firms to ensure that policies and procedures demonstrate the ability to comply with the regulations.
• Participate in field examinations of member firms' OTC derivatives businesses in order to identify key issues. Communicate with member firms regarding possible compliance deficiencies or violations and discuss corrective action. Review issues with the audit manager and prepare post-audit reports.
• Engage in day-to-day communications with swap dealers, major swap participants and other industry professionals as required to assist firms in complying with Dodd Frank and NFA requirements.
• Coach junior team members to assist in team development.

Requirements:

• BA/BS in Business concentration (Accounting, Finance).
• Minimum 2-4 years OTC derivatives or swaps products work experience, preferably in a compliance or auditing environment.
• Knowledge of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, as it pertains to the OTC derivatives industry.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to interact successfully with different areas of a financial firm.
• Ability to apply a balanced regulatory approach in a rule driven environment.

Location: Chicago and New York

Manager, OTC Derivatives

The Manager will assist the Director(s) of OTC Derivatives in building a structure to enable NFA to implement its regulatory program for OTC derivatives. Analyzes materials submitted by swap dealers and major swap participants pursuant to Implementing Regulations under Section 4s of the Commodity Exchange Act. Oversees staff and supervisors that complete the audits, financial analysis, investigations and surveillance of swap dealers and major swap participant registrants. Supervises communications with firm personnel regarding deficiencies and/or apparent violations as well as corrective action. Supervises other staff in their reviews and investigations of complaints and inquiries received from the public. Effectively utilizes available resources to increase industry, market and regulatory knowledge as well as technical expertise. Ensures key issues are identified and addressed and all necessary evidence is gathered for possible disciplinary cases. Allocates resources to ensure an efficient workflow and shares responsibility in training junior staff and assessing their performance. Reviews department's functions and seeks opportunities to create new, innovative ways for enhancing productivity within the department. Represents NFA through educational initiatives at industry conferences and in day to day communications with swap dealer and major swap participant registrants and industry professional.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Business (Accounting or Finance)
• 4-7 years' work experience in compliance, auditing, operational risk or swaps operations.
• Knowledge of entities that engage in swaps and ability to use this understanding to help develop the necessary processes and procedures to effectively regulate swap dealer and major swap participant. This includes strong knowledge and understanding of one or more of the following areas:
  • OTC derivatives products;
  • standard swap agreements;
  • market dynamics;
  • trading mechanics;
  • transaction processing;
  • reporting requirements; or
  • valuation methods.
• Knowledge of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act as it pertains to swap transactions and swaps intermediaries is considered a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• An understanding of OTC market issues.
• Strategic, innovative and creative thinking.
• Ability to apply a common sense approach in a rule driven environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong networking and relationship building skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• A high level of initiative.
• Previous managerial experience.

Location: Chicago

Director, OTC Derivatives

The Director, Compliance will oversee compliance managers, supervisors and staff who complete audits, financial analysis, investigations, and financial surveillance of NFA Members that trade, deal or execute swaps (Swaps Members). This also includes performing any special projects necessary to accomplish these duties. Assist the Vice President, OTC Derivatives, in building a structure to enable NFA to carry out its regulatory programs for Swaps Members including:

• Developing programs and procedures necessary to review swap dealer and major swap participant applicants' compliance with requirements pursuant to Section 4s of the Commodity Exchange Act.
• Developing programs and procedures necessary to conduct examinations of Swap Members.
• Hiring and training staff.
• Monitor the department's progress in implementing the structure and programs for regulating NFA's Swaps Members and ensure the department is functioning efficiently and effectively.
• Complete all performance management functions, including effectively coaching subordinates, providing meaningful feedback in evaluations to subordinates, guiding subordinates in career development, recognizing and rewarding contributions, etc.
• Represent NFA to external audiences, including Members and other stakeholders. This includes explaining 4s requirements and other Dodd-Frank requirements to Members.
• Promote NFA's brand, discuss current industry and NFA initiatives and obtain information regarding industry concerns.
• Use feedback to develop new initiatives or make changes to current processes.

Requirements:

At least 5 years' experience in an audit, regulatory, or compliance function, particularly involving OTC derivatives. Risk management and other experience in OTC derivatives a plus. Familiarity with the OTC derivatives market, in several of the following areas:

• Basic Products (IRS, CDS, Equity, Commodity and Energy, etc)
• Structured products
• Standard agreements
• Market dynamics
• Trading mechanisms and practices
• Transaction processing
• Reporting requirements
• Pricing and valuation methods
• Collateral and capital requirements

An understanding of complex and sophisticated market issues. Bachelor's Degree in accounting, finance or related field. Advanced degree preferable in accounting, finance or related field. Strong analytical and problem solving skills. Strategic, innovative and creative thinking. Ability to apply a common sense approach in a rule driven environment. Strong oral and written communication skills. Strong networking and relationship building skills. Ability to work effectively in a team environment. A high level of initiative. Experience in managing others and workflow.

Location: Chicago