Compliance Director

EMPOWER OVERVIEW

Empower is shaking up an outdated financial system by providing real opportunity for our customers: the opportunity to get the cash they need, to access fair credit, and to change their financial story. Today, we’re helping millions of people find financial security through machine learning models that evaluate creditworthiness using a more inclusive lens and mobile-first products: Cash Advance, Thrive line of credit, and Petal credit cards. Tomorrow? Creating even more financial paths for our customers (and their wallets) to succeed.

This year, Empower ranked #65 on Inc. 5000’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies list — our third year in a row cracking the top 100 — and was named by Forbes as one of the 25 Next Billion-Dollar Startups for 2024. Empower was also featured by Forbes on America’s Best Startup Employers list in 2023, and our Thrive line of credit product was named by Fast Company as one of 2022’s Next Big Things in Tech.

Empower is backed by Sequoia Capital, Blisce, and Icon Ventures. Ready to grow your impact and accelerate your career? Take a look at our open roles — we can’t wait to meet you.

The Opportunity: Compliance Director

As Empower continues to scale and expand globally, we are hiring a seasoned compliance leader to work together with the Head of Compliance to set and implement the strategic direction of the company’s Compliance Program across its domestic and international entities and various products and business lines. You’ll own and manage various components of the Compliance Program and work cross functionally with teams such as Product, Credit, Marketing, Legal, and Support & Operations to expertly identify and mitigate compliance risk across the enterprise. You will manage relationships with key external parties, be a strong advocate for Empower’s compliance-first mindset, and serve as a mentor and resource for other members of the Compliance team.

The ideal candidate has a deep background in the consumer lending industry and strong knowledge of related laws and regulations. Some experience building and scaling compliance programs globally is preferred, but not required. You will bring creativity, thoughtfulness, and a high degree of organization and diligence to the role. We’re hiring strategic thinkers, not box checkers - compliance professionals who are excited to dive into our products, learn our business, and expertly leverage technology to effectively and efficiently identify and manage risk.

Empower is a remote-first company. We drive connectivity through regular company offsites. Travel for company offsites is expected at a minimum 2 times a year.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Provide consumer compliance subject matter expertise to internal stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle

• Partner closely with Product, Support & Operations, Legal, Marketing, and Credit to evaluate and mitigate regulatory compliance risks across the enterprise, including supporting the company’s risk assessment processes

• Support the ongoing maturation of Empower’s change management processes by adopting appropriate technologies and systems to improve efficiencies and mitigate risk

• Own key components of Empower’s Compliance Program, which will be assigned based on skills, interests, and experience

• Remain current on the domestic and international regulatory landscapes impacting Empower’s business and monitor best practices and industry developments

• Liaise with key external stakeholders, including bank partners, service providers, and regulatory bodies

Why You’re a Great Fit

• 10+ years of financial services regulatory risk and compliance experience, preferably in the consumer lending space

• Demonstrable expertise in consumer protection regulations, including ECOA, TILA, TISA, FCRA, SCRA, MLA, GLBA, FDCPA, UDAAP, among others

• Ability to build strong relationships across an organization, influence cross-functional teams, and motivate others within a fast-paced environment

• Ability to communicate complex regulatory concepts clearly and concisely to non-compliance individuals

• Demonstrated experience leveraging technology, designing efficient, effective systems and tools to identify, measure, and manage compliance risk

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Bachelor’s degree required
  

Our Interview Process

1. Initial Recruiter Call: A conversation to learn about your experience and what you're looking for in your next role.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper discussion about your background and the Compliance Director opportunity.

3. Skills Panel: Meet with Empower team members to discuss your expertise and problem-solving approach.

4. Leadership Conversation: A final conversation with our CEO to discuss how you'll contribute to Empower's mission (and how we can help you achieve your career goals along the way).

Don't meet every qualification? If you're excited about this challenge and driven to innovate, we still want to hear from you!

What You'll Get at Empower

• Meaningful Ownership: Competitive salary and generous equity in a profitable, fast growing company.

• Complete Support: 100% coverage for medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, plus a generous WFH reimbursement.

• High-Impact Teams: The chance to thrive in a small, focused team where your contributions directly shape outcomes for our business and customers.

• Remote First: A virtual first environment built on trust and outcomes.

• Team Connection: Twice-yearly company onsites where we come together to connect, learn, and build for the future (our last few have been in San Diego, Vail, and Flagstaff)!

• Growth Path: Ongoing opportunities for development in a dynamic, supportive, and creative environment.

The Empower Way

The Empower Way is one where bold ambition meets an owner mindset, where open dialogue and spirited debate are encouraged, and where everyone works together to put our customers first. We believe diverse voices lead to the best ideas, and we foster an environment where every individual is valued, heard, and supported as part of one unified team working to change lives and build a more inclusive future.

If that sounds like you, join us and be part of a team that's helping millions of people reshape their financial futures.