Who we are looking for

Wealth Custody and Clearing is seeking an accomplished risk and compliance leader to serve as Business Risk Management Executive (BRME), with a primary focus as the FINRA compliance Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the buildout and ongoing oversight of an introducing broker-dealer. This role is part of State Street’s Business Risk Management (BRM) organization and will support Wealth Custody and Clearing executive leadership in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risk—now with a critical mandate to ensure regulatory readiness, operational excellence, and continuous compliance with all FINRA, SEC, and related broker-dealer regulations. The BRME will report to the Wealth Custody and Clearing COO, with a dual reporting line to the State Street CAO organization, and will be based in Boston, MA or Austin, TX.

Why this role is important to us

Wealth Custody and Clearing is a cornerstone of our client offering, and as we expand into broker-dealer operations, robust FINRA and SEC compliance is essential to our reputation, client trust, and regulatory standing. The BRME will be the principal architect and owner of the compliance framework for the new introducing broker-dealer, ensuring that all aspects of the business are designed, implemented, and operated in strict accordance with FINRA rules and industry best practices. This role will serve as the organization’s primary point of contact for all FINRA-related matters, regulatory examinations, and ongoing compliance obligations.

What you will be responsible for

As Wealth Custody and Clearing BRME and FINRA Compliance SME, you will:

• Serve as the lead SME for FINRA and SEC compliance, providing authoritative guidance on all regulatory requirements, rule interpretations, and industry standards for broker-dealer operations.
• Design, implement, and continuously enhance the compliance program for the introducing broker-dealer, ensuring full alignment with FINRA, SEC, and other applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce policies, procedures, and controls to support broker-dealer registration, supervision, surveillance, reporting, and recordkeeping obligations under FINRA and SEC rules.
• Lead the firm’s response to FINRA and SEC examinations, audits, and inquiries, including preparation, coordination, and remediation of findings.
• Monitor regulatory developments, assess their impact on the business, and proactively update compliance programs and controls to address new or evolving requirements.
• Advise executive leadership and business partners on compliance risks, emerging regulatory issues, and best practices for broker-dealer operations.
• Oversee risk assessments, controls testing, and remediation of control gaps for all regulatory, operational, and technology risks related to broker-dealer activities.
• Partner with the second and third lines of defense to ensure robust risk management and control objectives are met, with a focus on regulatory compliance.
• Co-develop the agenda and conduct the Business Risk Committee, ensuring that FINRA compliance and broker-dealer risk management are central to the committee’s oversight.
• Liaise closely with senior corporate governing bodies, representing Wealth Custody and Clearing on all matters related to broker-dealer compliance and regulatory engagement.

What we value

These skills will help you succeed in this role:

• Deep, hands-on expertise in FINRA and SEC regulations, broker-dealer compliance, and risk management, ideally gained at G-SIFI organizations, broker-dealers, or large public accounting firms.
• Demonstrated experience as a FINRA compliance SME, including direct involvement in the build, registration, and ongoing oversight of an introducing broker-dealer.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to proactively address business, regulatory, and technology risk exposures.
• Ability to identify and articulate risk and control themes to senior management, with a focus on regulatory compliance and broker-dealer operations.
• Experience with risk assessments, control design and effectiveness, first line assurance events (audits), and industry certifications (e.g., SOC 1/2, CRCP, CCO).
• Knowledge of key risk indicators, governance, oversight, and escalation practices for broker-dealer entities.
• Experience preparing and delivering presentations for business risk committees, executive leadership, and board of directors, with a focus on compliance and regulatory matters.
• Strong execution management skills for delivery of compliance programs and initiatives, including new business builds.
• Ability to collaborate and work across multiple stakeholders, including legal, compliance, operations, and technology teams.

Education & Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree preferred.
• 12–15+ years of related experience, including 7–10+ years as part of a global leadership team.
• Industry certifications (e.g., CRISC, CISA, CRCP, Series 7/24/63/79) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience as a FINRA compliance SME and/or in building or operating an introducing broker-dealer.

Salary Range:

The range quoted above applies to the role in the primary location specified. If the candidate would ultimately work outside of the primary location above, the applicable range could differ.

Job Application Disclosure:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.