Nearwater Capital is a rapidly growing and innovative specialty finance company headquartered in New York City with a global business and client base, with offices in New York, London and Dublin. Established in 2017, Nearwater has distinguished itself as a leader in delivering thoughtful, solutions-based financing to some of the largest financial institutions and financial services firms in the world.
Nearwater is seeking an organized and self-motivated individual to support its Compliance function in ensuring the firm’s business activities are conducted in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, and compliance best practices. Our Associate will report directly to Nearwater’s Chief Compliance Officer and will also work closely with the firm’s General Counsel and heads of other functional areas in gaining broad exposure to a myriad of interesting compliance and regulatory issues.
This is an excellent opportunity to make a difference while developing hands-on compliance skills with a growing and innovative organization. You will work closely with the business and the functional areas to proactively identify and help remediate any deficiencies or areas that need improvement, educate stakeholders, and have a real impact on the firm’s compliance posture. Rather than being siloed within a sub-department of a large compliance department, you will have the opportunity to be engaged in all aspects of building and running a compliance program for a financial firm, as well as gain international experience.
Evening law students with an interest in pursuing a career in financial services are encouraged to apply.
Role / Job Description:
You will be a critical resource to the CCO, as well as a key partner to the Legal, Operations, Finance, Risk and front office leaders and teams to support their compliance with SEC security-based swap dealer regulations, and to administer best compliance practices in the other Nearwater business lines. Specific compliance responsibilities will include:
- In conjunction with the CCO, execute Nearwater’s security-based swap dealer compliance program.
- Work with the various firm areas in maintaining up to date policies and procedures reflective of current law, rules, and regulations, and the firm’s business.
- Assess training needs, and develop and deliver training to Nearwater employees.
- Monitor regulatory developments relevant to Nearwater businesses and synthesize to keep employees apprised of pending developments and potential impacts.
- Manage the firm’s third-party compliance system for employee and firm trading reviews, attestations, and rules/testing database. Assist employees in implementing feeds for personal trading accounts, run the annual compliance certification process, and conduct periodic oversight of the execution of trade reviews by supervisors within that system.
- Run all compliance aspects of onboarding Associated Persons, from initial compliance questionnaires, to training, to working with technology of system entitlements.
- Manage the firm’s regulatory filings including its Form SBSE registration profile and 13H filings.
- Prepare for the CCO the Compliance program update for monthly governance and quarterly Board meetings.
- Assist in managing and responding to SEC routine inquiries and periodic examinations.
- Maintain an up-to-date Records Matrix reflective of current regulatory requirements, and work with the Head of Technology to ensure required books and records are being maintained.
- Maintain and create content for the firm’s compliance/regulatory intranet site.
- Participate in special projects as they arise.
Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required; JD or JD candidate a plus.
- 3-7 years’ experience in the financial services industry or at a regulator, including the SEC, FINRA, CFTC or NFA highly valued.
- Broad knowledge of financial products, markets, and laws and regulations.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills, with ability to interact confidently with senior level managers and external parties such as regulators and consultants/, outside counsel.
- Strong project management and organizational skills, and exceptional attention to detail.
- Professional, efficient, resourceful and able to work independently with minimal guidance.
- Willingness and ability to roll up sleeves and be a team player to provide assistance where needed and be a utility player.
What’s In It for You:
Nearwater offers attractive market compensation and benefits package. As a creative, intellectual capital firm, Nearwater is proud to be 100% work from office.
- You will be joining a firm that is well established, but still growing rapidly. You will have the ability to impact the design of the compliance program and best practices throughout.
- Be exposed to a myriad of interesting and complex issues surrounding financial structures and transactions. Learn firsthand about the execution of your colleague’s responsibilities in Risk, Finance, Operations and Compliance in a way that can only be obtained working in a small firm environment. You will be asked to deep dive into every facet of these areas, and your insight will be relied upon.
- Work in a fast paced and intellectually stimulating environment, in which you will learn something new every day.
- A collaborative working environment where every voice is heard.
