Director, Internal Audit - Compliance

The Director, Internal Audit - Compliance is responsible for leading a portfolio of risk-based compliance audit and advisory activities that provide independent assessments of regulatory compliance risk management, governance, and control effectiveness across the organization. Provide independent assessments of Compliance Management System (CMS) effectiveness, including governance, policies and procedures, regulatory change management, training, monitoring and testing, complaint management, and issue management processes.

Description

The Director, Internal Audit - Compliance is responsible for leading a portfolio of risk-based compliance audit and advisory activities that provide independent assessments of regulatory compliance risk management, governance, and control effectiveness across the organization. This role serves as an Engagement Owner and trusted advisor to executive leadership by providing objective assurance and insights related to compliance risk management practices, regulatory obligations, and regulatory change preparedness.

The Director oversees compliance audit planning, execution, reporting, issue validation, and regulatory engagement activities while ensuring adherence to Internal Audit standards and methodologies. This role plays a key leadership role in evaluating the effectiveness of first- and second-line compliance programs, identifying emerging regulatory risks, and strengthening the organization's overall compliance control environment.

Here’s what you can expect from the job and what you need to be successful:

What You’ll Do:

• Lead a portfolio of risk-based compliance audit and advisory engagements, ensuring timely execution, consistent methodology application, and high-quality deliverables.
• Oversee audit planning, risk assessments, scoping decisions, testing strategies, audit conclusions, and reporting activities across compliance-related audit engagements. 
• Review and approve audit findings, issue severity ratings, root cause assessments, remediation plans, and issue validation activities. 
• Contribute to development of the annual audit plan through participation in audit universe management, risk assessments, regulatory risk evaluations, and compliance audit coverage planning.
• Provide independent assessments of Compliance Management System (CMS) effectiveness, including governance, policies and procedures, regulatory change management, training, monitoring and testing, complaint management, and issue management processes.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of first- and second-line compliance oversight programs and challenge the adequacy of compliance risk management practices.
• Assess compliance control design and execution across end-to-end business processes, products, services, and operational activities.
• Conduct audits of consumer protection, prudential compliance, lending, deposit operations, marketing, and other regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the organization.
• Identify systemic compliance risk themes, emerging regulatory concerns, control weaknesses, and potential customer or reputational impacts.
• Monitor regulatory developments, examination priorities, enforcement actions, and industry trends to ensure appropriate audit coverage and risk perspective.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Compliance, Legal, Enterprise Risk, business leadership, and regulatory stakeholders while maintaining audit independence and objectivity.
• Represent Internal Audit at governance committees, regulatory meetings, and cross-functional working groups as appropriate.
• Support regulatory examinations and coordinate audit responses related to compliance risk and Internal Audit activities.
• Drive continuous improvement of compliance audit methodology, testing approaches, reporting capabilities, and audit effectiveness.
• Develop and mentor audit professionals, including performance management, capability development, succession planning, and professional growth

Essential Skills:

• Required Experience: 8+ yearsof regulatory compliance risk within financial services organizations. 
• 4+ years of experience leading a diverse team including hiring, coaching and performance management.
• Strong knowledge of Compliance Management Systems (CMS), including regulatory change management, policies and procedures, training, monitoring and testing, complaint management, issue management, and governance practices.
• Knowledge of consumer protection, lending, deposit operations, marketing compliance, and prudential regulatory requirements applicable to credit unions and financial institutions.
• Experience evaluating compliance control design, effectiveness, and execution across complex business processes.
• Ability to assess the effectiveness of first- and second-line compliance oversight programs.
• Strong understanding of Internal Audit standards, methodologies, and regulatory expectations.
• Ability to identify emerging compliance risks, systemic control weaknesses, and reputational risk concerns.
• Strong judgment in evaluating regulatory severity, customer impact, and remediation effectiveness.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to communicate complex regulatory issues to executive audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders while maintaining audit independence and objectivity.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Required Education: Bachelor's degree in field relevant to role (or 4 additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree), advanced degree preferred.

Location: Hillsboro Corporate Office | Hillsboro OR 97124 OR Marlborough Corporate Office | Marlborough, MA ORChelmsford Corporate Office | Chelmsford, MA

Target Compensation: $164,000 - $197,000 base pay + Annual Bonus

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Who We Are:

What makes First Tech different? Click here to learn more!

Every great journey begins with a bold idea—and ours is no different. First Tech and DCU were founded on the belief that financial solutions should put people first. That belief has fueled decades of innovation and service, rooted in the tech sector and expanding to support members from all walks of life.

Employees are eligible for:

• Traditional medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous 401(k) match
• Paid Time Off: You'll accrue up to 15 days in your first year. In addition, you'll receive 40 hours of sick time and 3 personal days, which refresh annually
• Paid federal holidays
• Special employee pricing on lending products such as mortgage, auto, and personal loans (eligibility subject to standard account requirements and underwriting criteria)

Employment Statements:

First Tech is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity, inclusion, and equity at our company. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

If you're applying for a job and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an email to recruiters@firsttechfed.com and let us know the nature of your request and contact information. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

First Tech is not currently offering Visa transfer/sponsorship for this position.