Chief Compliance Officer

Partain Consulting; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Superior Planning, a wealth management firm in San Diego, seeks a Chief Compliance Officer to lead the compliance program, liaise with regulators, and advise on governance and contracts. The role is executive-level, requiring strong judgment, integrity, and collaboration with leadership to build a culture of compliance across the firm.

The successful candidate will oversee regulatory filings, data privacy, and fiduciary duties, while guiding advisory teams and affiliated broker-dealers.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of compliance experience supporting an SEC-registered investment adviser (RIA).
• In-depth knowledge of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and related rules.
• Legal experience within the financial services industry is strongly preferred.
• Juris Doctor (JD) and active bar membership strongly preferred; candidates without a JD must have extensive CCO experience.
• Experience with dual-registered advisors and broker-dealer oversight is highly preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex regulatory topics clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead the firm’s compliance program, governance, and annual risk assessment.
• Oversee Form ADV, Form CRS, and other regulatory filings with FINRA/SEC.
• Review marketing materials and fee arrangements for regulatory compliance.
• Conduct periodic testing, surveillance, and risk oversight including cybersecurity.
• Manage regulatory examinations, inquiries, and broker-dealer relationships.
• Draft and review governance, contracts, and employment agreements; support M&A activity.

Skills

Compliance experience

Regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

JD

Bar membership

Job description

Superior Planning offers a full-service Wealth Management and Family Office group that provides highly tailored services for clients with complex financial matters. We go beyond traditional financial planning, addressing the complex needs of high-net-worth individuals and families. From sophisticated estate planning and tax optimization to philanthropy strategies and generational wealth transfer, our team takes a holistic approach to managing not only our client’s financial assets but their entire legacy. We work alongside each client to design a strategy that aligns with both their financial and personal objectives as we seek to assist them in growing and protecting their wealth, so it can be passed on to future generations.

About the Role:

The Chief Compliance Officer at Superior Planning serves as the firm’s designated CCO under Rule 206(4)-7 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing financial services firm and play a key role in shaping and scaling its compliance function. The role leads the firm’s compliance program, serves as the primary contact for regulators and our affiliated broker-dealer, and provides legal guidance on governance, contracts, employment, regulatory and data privacy matters. This person will serve as a member of the executive team and as an officer of the firm.

About You:

We’re looking for a trusted, hands-on compliance and legal professional with sound judgment, strong integrity and the ability to translate complex regulations into practical guidance. You are a collaborative partner to leadership and advisors, comfortable managing multiple priorities and committed to building a culture of compliance across the firm.

Key Responsibilities:

Compliance Program Leadership

• Maintain the firm’s written compliance policies and procedures manual, conduct and document the annual compliance review and provide a written annual risk assessment.
• Monitor regulatory developments, including SEC rule changes, no-action letters and risk alerts and update policies accordingly.
• Administer the Code of Ethics, including personal securities reporting and pre-clearance, gifts and entertainment, political contributions (pay-to-play) tracking under Rule 206(4)-5 and insider trading and MNPI policies.
• Deliver annual compliance training to advisors and staff and promote a culture of compliance through regular communication with leadership.

Filings, Recordkeeping and Disclosure

• Prepare and file Form ADV Parts 1 and 2A/2B (annual and other-than-annual amendments) on FINRA Gateway and oversee Form CRS delivery and updates, Form 13F filings when applicable and state notice filings (Blue Sky).
• Ensure compliance with books and records retention under Rule 204-2.
• Review, amend and maintain the firm’s client-facing disclosure documents, including Form ADV Part 2A and 2B, Form CRS and the Privacy Policy, for accuracy, consistency and timely delivery.

Marketing, Custody, Fees and Fiduciary Duty

• Review advertising, marketing materials, testimonials and endorsements for compliance with the Marketing Rule, including promoter agreements.
• Monitor compliance with the Custody Rule 206(4)-2, review fee billing practices for accuracy and consistency with Form ADV and oversee best execution and soft dollar arrangements as applicable.
• Identify, disclose and monitor conflicts of interest and fiduciary duty obligations.
• Administer the firm’s PTE 2020-02 process for rollover disclosure and analysis, including new account workflow approvals.

Testing, Surveillance and Risk Oversight

• Conduct periodic forensic testing and surveillance, including trade allocation, correspondence reviews, cross trades, fee billing audits and cybersecurity.
• Oversee vendor and sub-advisor due diligence (including sub-advisory relationships - Carmel Capital Partners).
• Administer and test the business continuity and disaster recovery plan (BCP/DR) and oversee cybersecurity policies under Regulation S-P and S-ID.

Regulatory and Broker-Dealer Relationships

• Serve as the primary contact for SEC examinations and document requests and respond to regulatory inquiries, deficiency letters and enforcement matters.
• Serve as the firm’s primary point of contact for its affiliated FINRA-registered broker-dealer, maintaining regular communication with its compliance group, including standing monthly calls.
• Coordinate dual-registration matters for staff who are both Investment Advisor Representatives (IARs) and registered representatives, such as outside business activity approvals, advertising review, licensing and CE tracking and product approval.
• Resolve conflicts between the firm’s advisory policies and broker-dealer requirements, relay policy updates and exam findings to leadership and affected staff and support broker-dealer audits, document requests and branch inspections.

Legal Counsel: Governance and Transactions

• Draft, review and maintain governing documents, including LLC operating agreements, partnership and equity agreements and bylaws.
• Advise on equity structuring, partner admission and departure, dilution and buy-sell provisions.
• Support M&A activity, including acquisitions of advisory practices, succession planning and sub-advisor agreements.

Legal Counsel: Contracts, Employment and Risk

• Review investment advisory agreements and amendments, and assist with negotiating sub-advisory agreements, solicitor and referral arrangements and vendor contracts with custodians, technology providers and data vendors.
• Review and advise on non-disclosure, non-compete, employee classification and non-s solicitation agreements and advise on their enforceability by state.
• Draft and review employment agreements, offer letters and separation agreements and support human resources on matters with legal exposure.
• Advise on regulatory interpretation under the Advisers Act, ERISA where applicable and state securities law.
• Manage litigation, arbitration and regulatory enforcement matters and oversee errors and omissions (E&O) insurance claims and coverage review.
• Advise on Regulation S-P, state privacy laws such as the CCPA, data breach notification obligations and review vendor data processing agreements for privacy and security terms.

Role Qualifications:

• Five or more years of compliance experience supporting an SEC-registered investment adviser (RIA).
• In-depth knowledge of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and related rules, including the Compliance, Marketing, Custody and other rules.
• Legal experience within the financial services industry is strongly preferred.
• Juris Doctor (JD) and active bar membership in good standing strongly preferred; candidates without a JD must have extensive CCO experience and a strong working knowledge of securities and contract law.
• Active Series 65 or 65/66 licenses preferred.
• Experience preparing and filing Form ADV and Form CRS and managing SEC examinations and regulatory inquiries.
• Experience with dual-registered advisors and broker-dealer oversight, including FINRA requirements, is highly preferred.
• Working knowledge of ERISA and the DOL’s rollover requirements under PTE 2020-02 is highly preferred.
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial, employment and governance agreements; M&A or transactional experience is a plus.
• Strong understanding of data privacy and cybersecurity regulations, including Regulation S-P and S-ID.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex regulatory topics clearly to advisors, staff and leadership.
• Strong judgment, attention to detail and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with leadership, advisors and outside partners.

Compensation for this role ranges from $140,000 to $180,000 base salary and the final offer will be determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, skills, education and qualifications. In addition to base salary, this position offers an annual bonus opportunity. We also offer a 401(k) plan with company matching, paid holidays, sick leave and paid vacation.

Due to the nature of our operations and client relationships, all candidates will be subject to thorough background and reference checks.

Superior Planning is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and provide employment opportunities regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic.