Head of US Compliance Programs

Position: Head of US Compliance Programs

Job Location:  200 Park Avenue, New York, New York

Department: Compliance Risk Management (CRM or Compliance) delivers a compliance risk framework that enables the businesses and functions to comply with applicable internal and external rules and regulations and maintain risk levels within MetLife’s risk appetite. CRM provides constructive challenge to the businesses and functions, partnering closely with them to implement strong processes and effective controls, as well as to foster and embed a culture of compliance.

The Role:  This individual will be an active leader in CRM and member of the senior leadership team of the SVP and US and Latin America Chief Compliance Officer. This role will support and drive core elements of the US Compliance program, including gifts and entertainment (G&E) and political contributions, partnering with the Enterprise Compliance teams and Heads of Lines of Business (LOB) Compliance for each business and function to enable compliance with laws, regulations, and policy. The role will be directly responsible for overseeing the US Compliance governance structure and framework through the management of compliance risks and activities, identifying opportunities to implement necessary process enhancements to ensure consistency and alignment to enterprise Compliance programs. The individual will lead a team to drive strategic initiatives and maintenance of compliance guidance, policies, and procedures. In addition, the role will lead the development for testing and monitoring activities in the US LOB, helping to create a more strategic and risk-based testing and monitoring plan that is refined and scoped effectively.

In partnership with Operational Risk and first line stakeholders, the role will lead the coordination and management of the non-financial risk assessment (NFRA) reporting process to produce insight into risks and controls, drive the requirements, and monitor the quarterly trigger framework. Additionally, this role will be responsible for the creation and implementation of meaningful compliance risk metrics and reporting across the US.

In addition, this role will be responsible for driving critical elements of the US Compliance programs that span all US LOB’s. This role will manage, among other things, the G&E program for the US, including redesigning the program and partnering with IT on the maintenance and enhancements to the online platform, conducting monitoring and reporting, and maintaining and updating the US G&E policy. This individual will also be responsible for managing and updating, as needed, the processes and procedures for political contributions and sales materials review. With respect to sales material reviews, this role will also support the review of material requiring approval by Investments Compliance and filing with FINRA for variable products.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage reporting on all appropriate compliance-related issues and risks and continue to evolve ongoing metrics leveraged by US Compliance
• Manage advisory compliance and associated control environments and strike the balance between serving as trusted advisor to the business and encouraging a culture of robust challenge to the US LOB

• Review existing US LOB Compliance policies and procedures and make enhancements to bring consistency where applicable, strengthen processes, procedures, and policies, and stay ahead of regulatory requirements and expectations for the businesses and operations
• Support strategic business initiatives within and across the US LOB’s by providing ongoing advice, guidance and, when appropriate, challenge to business partners
• Enhance the current reporting and metrics to management to ensure timely, effective and impactful reporting
• Work closely with the US Chief Compliance Officer and Heads of LOB Compliance to enhance the US governance structure and framework through the implementation of global expectations around CRM programs
• Work closely with the Heads of LOB Compliance to ensure Regulatory Change Management (RCM) processes in place and required changes are executed by the US LOB’s
• Work with Heads of LOB Compliance to maintain an up-to-date view and consistent reporting of all material legal and regulatory obligations and support the assessment of the required business changes to adhere to rules and regulations
• Work with Heads of LOB Compliance to ensure an inventory of regulations and laws is developed and maintained for each LOB and is accessible to all relevant stakeholders
• In partnership with the Heads of LOB Compliance, Operational Risk and first line stakeholders, lead the coordination and management of the NFRA process and the development of the quarterly trigger framework
• Drive and evolve the G&E and political contributions programs across the US
• Drive the Compliance program to ensure required sales material reviews are conducted and documented as required
• Work closely with the IT organization to ensure the relevant Compliance systems continue to effectively support the G&E, sales material, and complaint management Compliance programs. 
• Identify, analyze, and dimension the complexity of risks and regulations, handling complex issues and engaging directly with regulators, where required
• Work with the business and Heads of LOB Compliance to design and implement appropriate processes to ensure timely and effective controls are in place to mitigate Compliance risk
• Review the team organization structure and create opportunities to build team effectiveness, and drive efficiencies
• Interface with senior management to ensure effective awareness of key Compliance risk areas and strong engagement by businesses and Operations and develop and implement training as needed on relevant compliance regulations and processes
• Support Chief Compliance Officer in maintaining strong partnerships with key business stakeholders to stay informed of new product ideas, business strategies and initiatives, and emerging risks
• Work collaboratively with US business partners, Heads of LOB Compliance, and senior leaders including those in IT, Risk Management, Legal Affairs, and Internal Audit

Key Relationships:

• Reports to:  SVP and US and Latin America Chief Compliance Officer
• Direct reports/team: 4-6
• Key Stakeholders: US Heads of LOB Compliance, Operational Risk Management, Enterprise Compliance Programs, and various business leaders

Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills:

• 10+ years of risk management or compliance experience in a relevant business (financial services/insurance), and a demonstrated risk, governance, and ownership mindset
• Comprehensive understanding of the US regulatory environment and expectations
• Experience interfacing with senior leaders to provide guidance with respect to compliance matters while accomplishing business objectives; the ability to easily translate compliance matters to business executives and external stakeholders; interfacing with relevant regulatory authorities if needed
• Experience creating, implementing, and maintaining compliance policies, including G&E and political contribution policies
• Proven crisis management skills, including ability to mobilize, lead, and prioritize quickly in the face of escalated incidents

• Proactive change management leader able to strengthen compliance coverage across businesses and functions by collaborating on best practices and methodically implementing them
• Forward-looking thinker; anticipates and plans for regulatory developments, making sound recommendations and decisions on complex matters

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop partnerships and relationships throughout the organization as well as with key external stakeholders; a proven track record of building and maintaining relationships with other functional leads, including Operational Risk, Legal Affairs, Information Technology, and Internal Audit, creating a supportive and seamless compliance and ethical control culture and an appropriate risk environment
• A transformation leader for CRM to strengthen CRMs and MetLife’s compliance risk management by being forward looking, embracing, and leading change, collaborating on compliance best practices, and methodically working to strengthen compliance coverage of the relevant businesses
• Ability to think proactively and make recommendations and complex decisions while also anticipating regulatory needs and expectations and developing plans to address them
• Significant experience championing a high-performance environment and implementing a people strategy that attracts, retains, develops, embraces diversity, and motivates teams by fostering an inclusive work environment; ability to clearly communicate vision/values/business strategy and managing succession and development planning for the team
• Results-oriented, performance-based leader who will produce results based on stated goals and objectives and ensure that individuals in the organization produce results based on their respective performance and development plans
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and conduct presentations and communicate with senior and executive management
• Dedicated and self-motivated with an ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Impeccable integrity and ethical behavior with sound judgment, a strong moral compass, and a commitment to transparency; a good listener with high sensitivity to different cultures and backgrounds
• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university; a graduate or JD degree is a plus

      MetLife Success Principles

• Experiment with Confidence – Courageously learn and test new ideas without fear of failure

• Act with Urgency – Demonstrate speed to action with agility and determination
• Seek Diverse Perspectives – Source ideas and feedback to expand thinking and make informed decisions
• Seize Opportunity – Drive responsible growth and identify areas for continuous improvement
• Champion Inclusion – Foster an environment where everyone is valued, heard, and can speak up
• Create Alignment – Partner with others across the organization with candor and transparency
• Take Responsibility – Be accountable and act in pursuit of the right outcomes
• Enable Solutions – Anticipate and address obstacles while managing risk
• Deliver What Matters – Execute meaningful priorities and follow through on commitments

MetLife:

MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

We are one of the largest institutional investors in the U.S. with $669 billion of total assets under management as of December 31, 2021. We are ranked #46 on the Fortune 500 list for 2021. In 2020, we were named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the fifth year in a row. DJSI is a global index to track the leading sustainability-driven companies. We are proud to have been named to Fortune magazine’s 2021 list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies.”    

MetLife is committed to building a purpose-driven and inclusive culture that energizes our people. Our employees work every day to help build a more confident future for people around the world.

The wage range for applicants for this position is $151,000 to $201,300. This role is also eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation and stock based long-term incentives. MetLife offers a comprehensive benefits program, including healthcare benefits, life insurance, retirement benefits, parental leave, legal plan services and paid time off. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.

We want to make it simple for all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities with MetLife.  If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to accommodations@metlife.com or call our Employee Relations Department at 1-877-843-3711.

MetLife is a proud Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer dedicated to attracting, retaining, and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at MetLife without regards to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.

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