Senior Principal Investigator

FINRA; Rockville (MD); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

FINRA in Rockville, MD seeks a Senior Principal Investigator to lead and complete high‑risk investigations across misconduct areas. You will develop investigative strategies, assess regulatory risks, and produce thorough findings supporting regulatory outcomes.

As a recognized subject matter expert, you will guide staff, collaborate with Enforcement and cross‑functional teams, and mentor investigators while applying cyber threat and data analytics expertise to complex cases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field; MBA/JD or professional certification preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in securities, financial services, or financial regulation.
• Experience guiding staff and leading investigative projects/enforcement teams.
• Experience conducting enforcement-oriented investigations of varying complexity.
• Familiarity with investigative technologies and data strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex investigations of the highest risk and complexity; develop risk-based strategies with minimal supervision.
• Gather evidence through document review, data analysis, and testimony; ensure findings are thorough and well-documented.
• Independently conduct advanced data analysis following established methodologies; describe findings clearly.
• Collaborate with Enforcement attorneys to develop factual records within legal frameworks and assess evidence sufficiency.
• Prepare clear, persuasive investigative reports; provide testimony in litigation when required.
• Identify emerging risks, threats, and regulatory issues; stay current on rule changes and industry developments.
• Act as subject matter expert; mentor investigators and staff in investigative techniques.
• Lead or participate in initiatives, analytics, tools, or processes to detect and deter misconduct; contribute to program strategy.
• Represent FINRA externally with member firms, regulators, and industry stakeholders.

Skills

Investigative leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Data analysis

Cybersecurity awareness

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/CS or related field

MBA/JD preferred

Tools

Data analysis tools

Job description

The Senior Principal Investigator is an expert-level professional responsible for independently leading and completing FINRA's highest-risk and most complex investigations across assigned misconduct areas. This role exercises expert judgment in developing and executing investigative strategies, identifying regulatory and investor protection risks, and producing comprehensive, well-supported investigative findings that support sound regulatory outcomes. Working under minimal supervision, the Senior Principal Investigator handles matters involving complex fact patterns, novel regulatory issues, multiple respondents, sophisticated financial products and strategies, cyber-enabled misconduct, significant customer harm, heightened litigation risk, and urgent high-risk activity. The position independently assesses evidence, identifies potential rule violations, evaluates supervisory and compliance failures, and develops investigative approaches to address emerging threats to investors and market integrity.

As a recognized subject matter expert, the Senior Principal Investigator serves as a key resource within Investigations and across FINRA, providing guidance, consultation, and training to staff at all levels while proactively identifying emerging risks, fraud trends, and investigative opportunities. The role brings specialized expertise in cyber-enabled fraud typologies, including account takeovers, business email compromise, identity-based fraud, ransomware-related extortion, and other cyber threats impacting member firms and investors, applying deep knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks, digital forensics, cyber threat actor tactics, and fraud investigation methodologies to independently assess complex incidents.

Leveraging relevant professional certifications such as CFE, ACAMS, CISSP, CISM, or equivalent credentials, the Senior Principal Investigator evaluates member firm cybersecurity controls, supervisory systems, incident response practices, and compliance obligations to identify regulatory deficiencies and investor protection concerns. The position collaborates extensively with FINRA partners, including Enforcement, Risk and Intelligence, Examinations, and other Regulatory Operations teams, as well as with external regulators, law enforcement agencies, and industry information-sharing organizations, including the SEC, CFTC, Federal Reserve Board, state securities regulators, FBI, and DHS, to stay abreast of evolving fraud and cyber threat trends, inform regulatory strategy, and advance FINRA's mission of investor protection and market integrity.

• Lead Complex Investigations — Independently lead and conduct investigations of the highest risk and complexity, including matters involving complex fact patterns, novel rules, multiple respondents, sophisticated or emerging products, high likelihood of litigation, and urgent high-risk activity; develop and execute effective, risk-based investigative strategies with minimal supervision.
• Develop Complete & Accurate Factual Records — Gather evidence through document review, data analysis, written correspondence, and verbal communication including on-the-record testimony; ensure investigative findings are thorough, factually accurate, and clearly documented.
• Perform Advanced Data Analysis — Independently conduct advanced data analysis in accordance with well-established methodologies; identify and resolve questions about analytical approaches to ensure consistency; effectively describe analysis, findings, and any exceptions or assumptions; recommend new analytical techniques as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Enforcement & Cross-Functional Partners — Partner with Enforcement attorneys to develop factual records within clear legal frameworks and ensure that evidence supports potential charges and sanctions; provide insight from industry experience and subject matter expertise to objectively assess the sufficiency of evidence.
• Document & Communicate Findings — Prepare clear, complete, and persuasive written summaries, investigative reports, referrals to Enforcement and external agencies, and recommendations; communicate effectively in meetings with FINRA staff, respondents, regulators, and other stakeholders; provide testimony in litigation when required.
• Identify & Escalate Emerging Risks and Threats — Proactively identify notable and emerging trends, threats, novel issues, and regulatory risks; elevate matters requiring reprioritization and recommend solutions; stay current on rule changes, interpretations, and industry developments within area(s) of expertise.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert — Provide expert-level guidance and consultation to other investigators, and FINRA staff on matters within area(s) of expertise; assist in resolving conflicts in investigative approaches or inconsistent findings across teams.
• Train and Mentor Staff — Coach, train, and mentor investigators and other staff in investigative techniques, processes, and responsibilities; develop and deliver staff training; review work product and provide constructive feedback as directed by management.
• Lead and Contribute to Initiatives — Lead or participate in special projects, regulatory initiatives, thematic reviews, and development of new analytics, investigative tools, or processes that detect and deter violative activity; contribute to program strategy and continuous improvement.
• Represent FINRA Externally — Engage professionally with member firms, external regulators, and industry stakeholders; conduct or participate in member firm/investor education including conference panels and compliance events; represent FINRA at internal and external meetings as directed.
• Demonstrate FINRA's values. Collaboration, both in-person and virtually, in furtherance of FINRA's mission of investor protection and market integrity.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Advanced degree (MBA, JD) or professional certification (e.g., CFE, ACAMS, CPA) strongly preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive experience in the securities, financial services, or financial regulatory industry, with substantive knowledge of regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience providing guidance to staff, and leading projects and initiatives in an investigative, examination, or enforcement team environment.
• Demonstrated experience conducting enforcement-oriented, regulatory, or financial investigations of varying complexity.
• Familiarity with investigative technologies, data analysis tools, and data strategies.

Knowledge Requirements

• Expert knowledge of relevant FINRA rules, applicable SRO rules, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and federal securities laws, with responsibility for staying current on regulatory rules, practices, and developments.
• Expert knowledge of securities markets, member firm operations, books and records, firm business models, products, and services relative to area(s) of misconduct.
• Advanced to expert knowledge of risks, products, and emerging threats specific to area(s) of misconduct.
• Comprehensive understanding of regulatory compliance issues and risks associated with firm business lines and customer bases.
• Awareness of industry events, emerging trends, and regulatory developments pertinent to area(s) of misconduct.
• Familiarity with FINRA's organizational structure, departmental mandates, cross-functional priorities, and internal applications and associated data

Skills Requirements

• Investigative Judgment: Expert ability to independently assess investigative strategy, develop risk-based approaches, interpret complex data and evidence, make sound decisions, and progress complex investigations to resolution with minimal supervision.
• Communication: Expert written and verbal communication skills, including strong interpersonal, presentation, and stakeholder engagement abilities; demonstrated ability to accurately and succinctly discuss any case or issue with internal and external parties; ability to provide effective testimony in litigation.
• Analytical Capability: Advanced to expert ability to conduct data analysis, identify patterns and anomalies, and apply analytical findings to investigative strategies; experience with analytical platforms, tools, and data-driven decision-making preferred.
• Collaboration: Expert ability to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders; proactively build networks across RegOps and the broader organization.
• Prioritization & Organization: Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail; ability to manage multiple time-sensitive matters simultaneously, establish and meet timelines, and balance independent work with team coordination.
• Risk Identification: Expert ability to identify, prioritize, and elevate risk; recognize priority matters and proactively identify emerging trends, threats, and regulatory issues.
• Mentorship & Training: Demonstrated ability to mentor and train staff; provide expert guidance; and develop and deliver effective training programs.
• Initiative & Adaptability: Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision; proactively identify needs and opportunities; adapt and thrive in uncertain and fast-paced conditions; highly effective at building and managing relationships.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work environment with defined in-person presence requirements.
• Extended hours and some travel may be required.

Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Non-exempt employees are also eligible for overtime pay in accordance with federal, state, or local law. As part of its dedication to employee wellness, FINRA provides comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance. Additional insurance includes basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment, short- and long-term disability, long-term care, business travel accident, disability and legal. FINRA offers immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match and eligibility for participation in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, and other benefits that support employee wellness, such as adoption assistance, backup family care, surrogacy benefits, employee assistance, and wellness programs.

Time Off and Paid Leave* FINRA encourages its employees to focus on their health and wellness in many ways, including through a generous time‑off program starting at 15 days of paid time off (increasing with years of service, up to 25 days), 5 personal days, and 9 sick days, unless otherwise required by law (all pro‑rated in the first year). Additionally, we are proud to support our communities by providing two volunteer service days (based on full‑time schedule). Other paid leave includes military leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, voting and election official leave for federal, state or local primary and general elections, care of a family member, and childbirth and parental leave. Full‑time employees receive nine paid holidays.

The information provided above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work of the position. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required.

Washington state applicants: click here for required notice(s).

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