Chief Compliance Officer

International Erosion Control Association; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary + performance bonus

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision

401(k) retirement plan

Downtown Chicago office with hybrid

Direct exposure to executive team

Job summary

Direct Access USA LLC seeks an experienced Chief Compliance Officer to oversee regulatory compliance, risk management, and supervisory policies for FCM operations in Chicago. You will interface with CFTC, NFA, CME Group, and other exchanges, ensuring adherence to federal statutes, SRO rules, and internal policies across trading, capital segregation, and client structures.

The role requires strong leadership, meticulous oversight of regulatory programs, and proactive engagement with regulators.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of CEA and CFTC Regulations (Part 1)
• Experience engaging with NFA, CME audit teams
• Ability to implement and oversee compliance manuals and controls
• Excellent written and verbal communication under pressure

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory leadership, reporting, and control governance.
• Coordinate regulatory examinations and timely responses to inquiries.
• Oversee customer segregation, capital requirements, and omnibus accounts.
• Manage AML/CIP procedures, EDD, OFAC screening, and SARs.
• Supervise surveillance, e-communications, and trade monitoring.
• Draft formal regulatory instructions to affiliates and brokers.

Skills

Regulatory leadership

Communication & ethics

Audits & examinations

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, business, or law

J.D. or master's degree preferred

Job description

About Direct Access USA LLC:

Direct Access USA LLC is a registered Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and a member of the National Futures Association (NFA). Headquartered in the historic Chicago Board of Trade building, DAUS provides premier exchange-traded futures and options clearing services, with a strong focus on Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) market access for institutional clients, retail clients, and intermediary brokerage firms.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced, proactive, and detail-oriented Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to oversee and manage all regulatory compliance, supervisory policies, and risk management adherence for our FCM operations.

Reporting directly to Executive Management and the Board, the CCO will be the primary liaison with regulatory authorities (CFTC, NFA, CME Group, and other derivatives exchanges). This critical role ensures that the firm adheres to all applicable federal statutes, self-regulatory organization (SRO) rules, and internal policies across trading, clearing, capital segregation, and omnibus client structures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Regulatory Leadership & Reporting: Maintain, update, and administer the firm’s compliance manuals and supervisory control systems (WSPs). Prepare and submit the mandatory Annual CCO Report pursuant to CFTC regulations.
• Regulatory Examinations & Inquiries: Serve as the primary contact for CFTC, NFA, CME, and third-party regulatory audits and cycle exams. Coordinate timely, accurate responses to regulatory inquiries, including but not limited to omnibus accounts compliance (CME Rule 930.J / JAC 18-03), capital structure, and customer protection rules.
• Customer Segregation & Financial Integrity: Work closely with Operations and Accounting to ensure full adherence to CFTC Part 1 segregation requirements (Rule 1.20, 1.22 residual interest) and regulatory capital standards.
• AML / BSA & Sanctions Program: Serve as or oversee the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Officer. Direct customer identification (CIP) enhanced due diligence (EDD), OFAC sanctions screening, and suspicious activity reporting (SARs).
• Institutional & Omnibus Account Governance: Validate and oversee compliance documentation for omnibus accounts, non-nested structures, sub-portfolio margining, and auto-offset declarations.
• Product & Market Expansion: Provide compliance guidance on new exchange initiatives, products, and operational tax compliance (including IRS Section 871(m) for Single Stock Futures).
• Training & Surveillance: Conduct ongoing compliance training for associated persons (APs) and staff; oversee daily electronic communications (e-comm) and trade surveillance.
• Ongoing Account Governance & Regulatory Oversight: Lead quarterly reviews and updates for Auto-Offset Declaration Letters (\"H\" net coding) and Sub-Portfolio Trade Code Attestations (\"S\" coding) to ensure proper segregation without overlap; establish written documentation and conduct periodic surveillance on client trading habits for special account types (such as DMA and IIP accounts), actively initiating inquiries whenever anomalies arise; enforce rigorous surveillance on Tag50 activities (specifically targeting 24-hour continuous high-frequency trading anomalies and potential wash trades) and Tag142 data (monitoring rapid, inconsistent shifts in order placement locations and IP addresses); directly draft and issue formal instructions to affiliate entity teams and brokers to streamline execution and maintain strict compliance records.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business, Law, or a closely related field required; Juris Doctor (J.D.) or master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive compliance experience in the futures/derivatives industry, with demonstrated experience at an FCM, introducing broker, or regulatory body (NFA / CFTC / CME).
• Licensing: Current Series 3 licenses preferred (or eligible to sit and pass within 90 days of onboarding).
• In-Depth Regulatory Knowledge: Thorough mastery of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), CFTC Regulations, NFA Compliance Rules, and CME Rulebook (particularly Rule 930, Rule 810, and related JAC alerts).
• Proven Track Record: Hands‑on experience interacting directly with NFA and CME audit teams during formal regulatory examinations.
• Communication & Ethics: Unimpeachable ethical standards, decisive judgment under pressure, and superior written/verbal communication skills.

What We Offer:

• Competitive base salary + performance‑based annual bonus.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution.
• Prime downtown Chicago office location (141 W Jackson Blvd) with flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Direct visibility with executive leadership and ownership.