Director of Compliance

Job description

WHO ARE WE? ElectronX® is the first U.S.-regulated, direct access electricity derivatives market, offering financial products to address volatile short-term price exposure to electricity. With offices in Chicago and New York City, ElectronX is building the missing financial infrastructure and risk management tools necessary to smooth the path for U.S. energy production, diversification and grid expansion in a time of rapidly increasing power demand. ElectronX is a venture capital-backed startup supported by premier VC partners including Innovation Endeavors, Systemiq Capital, Equinor Ventures, Shell Ventures LLC, DCVC, Amplo, BoxGroup and Lightning Capital. WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? As a fast-growing company in the highly competitive, quantitative capital markets industry, ElectronX values candidates who are resourceful, curious and adaptable to change. Our cultural focus on innovation requires collaborative and entrepreneurial teammates with the intellectual grit necessary for near- and long-term success. We are seeking a Director of Compliance — a hands-on compliance leader who personally executes core day-to-day work while managing and developing the Compliance team at a CFTC-regulated exchange and clearinghouse. ElectronX operates as both a Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO), launched live trading in December 2025, and runs on a fully collateralized, self-clearing model. Reporting directly to the CRO/CCO and sitting between the Compliance Associate/Senior Investigator level and the CRO/CCO, you will own the trade surveillance program, serve as a primary point of contact for CFTC inquiries, and partner closely with Operations and Engineering to embed compliance requirements into the business. WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING? Exchange & Clearinghouse Compliance Operations - Own day-to-day compliance monitoring and program execution across EXI’s DCM and DCO regulatory obligations under CFTC Parts 38 and 39. - Maintain and administer EXI’s compliance procedures, policies, and internal controls frameworks, including the Compliance Manual and Compliance Desk Manual. - Track and manage EXI’s regulatory calendar, including filing deadlines, self-certification obligations under Part 40, and periodic reporting requirements. - Assist in the preparation and review of annual compliance reports, Core Principle assessments, and other periodic regulatory deliverables. - Support the CRO/CCO in managing all aspects of CFTC examinations, including document production, coordinating responses, and scheduling with Division staff. Trade Surveillance - Manage EXI’s trade surveillance program, including oversight of the Eventus/Validus platform configuration, alert review workflows, and investigation procedures. - Mentor the Compliance team, helping set performance expectations and developing their capacity to operate independently. - Review and disposition surveillance alerts across EXI’s automated detection scenarios, including layering, spoofing, wash trading, and other manipulative or disruptive trading practices. - Oversee the escalation, documentation, and resolution of surveillance investigations, including maintaining investigation files to regulatory standards. - Evaluate and enhance detection logic, scenario coverage, and alert thresholds in coordination with Eventus and outside counsel. - Ensure the surveillance program satisfies applicable DCM Core Principles (Core Principle 2) and applicable CFTC regulations. CFTC Regulatory Inquiries & Correspondence - Serve as the primary internal point of contact for inbound inquiries from CFTC Divisions (DMO, DCR, MPD, DOD), coordinating internally and with the Legal department. - Draft initial responses to CFTC inquiries, information requests, and examination questions, with review by the CRO/CCO and/or Legal prior to submission. - Assist in maintaining the Jira log of all regulatory correspondence and open items, ensuring timely resolution and appropriate recordkeeping under CFTC Rule 1.31. - Assist in the preparation of responses to no-action requests, rule interpretations, and other matters requiring CFTC engagement. Cross-Functional Liaison -- Operations & Engineering - Act as the primary compliance liaison to the Operations and Engineering teams, ensuring regulatory requirements are understood and incorporated into system design, product development, and operational workflows. - Collaborate with Engineering on compliance-related system requirements, including trade surveillance data feeds, regulatory reporting, kill switch functionality, drop copy services, FIX protocol configurations, and recordkeeping infrastructure. - Partner with Operations on participant onboarding (AML/CIP/KYC), user authorization workflows, and operational compliance matters. - Participate in cross-functional reviews of new product initiatives, rule changes, and system modifications to identify and address compliance implications. - Advise Engineering on regulatory reporting requirements related to Part 16 and 17 obligations. - Contribute a regulatory compliance perspective to incident response and operational exception processes. Additional Responsibilities - Assist the CRO/CCO with regulatory strategy, petition preparation, and engagement with CFTC staff on EXI’s business initiatives. - Maintain awareness of evolving CFTC rules, guidance, no-action letters, and enforcement actions relevant to EXI’s business. - Contribute to the development and delivery of compliance training for EXI staff. - Perform other compliance and regulatory duties as assigned by the CRO/CCO. WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU Technical Acumen - 8–12 years of compliance, regulatory, or legal experience at or with CFTC- or SEC-regulated entities or SROs, including DCMs, DCOs, FCMs, broker-dealers, exchanges, clearinghouses, or similar regulated markets or registrants. - Substantive knowledge of CFTC regulations, including Parts 1, 16, 17, 38, 39, and 40 and familiarity with Core Principle obligations for exchanges and clearinghouses. - Demonstrated experience with CFTC regulatory reporting, specifically Parts 16 and 17; comparable SEC or FINRA reporting experience is considered highly transferable. - Experience in trade surveillance, including alert review, investigation management, and surveillance platform administration. - Demonstrated experience drafting regulatory correspondence, responding to examinations, or managing relationships with government regulators or SROs. - Strong writing and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex regulatory issues into clear, actionable internal and external communications. - Experience supervising or mentoring junior compliance or surveillance staff. - Ability to work cross-functionally with technical teams (Engineering, Operations) and translate regulatory requirements into operational specifications. - Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Preferred Qualifications - Direct experience at a DCM or DCO, or within the energy or electricity derivatives markets. - Familiarity with automated surveillance platforms (e.g., Eventus/Validus, Nasdaq Surveillance, or similar tools). - Experience with CFTC examination processes. - Working knowledge of FIX protocol, trading system architecture, or financial technology infrastructure. - J.D. or advanced degree in a relevant discipline. The Right Mindset - Ownership mentality: You take full responsibility for your work from conception to production - Regulatory acumen: Deep and current knowledge of CFTC rules applicable to exchange and clearinghouse operations - Judgment & independence: You make sound compliance determinations in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment, with appropriate escalation when warranted - Operational discipline: Organized and detail-oriented, with strong workflow management and documentation habits - Clear communication: A credible communicator with regulators, senior management, and cross-functional colleagues - Leadership: Effective at managing and developing junior staff while maintaining individual contribution at a high level - Collaboration: A strong partner to non-compliance functions, able to explain regulatory constraints constructively without impeding business progress BENEFITS - Health, vision and dental insurance - 401(k) match - Supplemental health and disability insurance - Unlimited vacation - Parental leave Equal Opportunity Statement: ElectronX is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.