Job Description:

The Market Regulation – Market Manipulation group (MMG)is responsible for conducting surveillance and investigations of U.S. broker-dealers trading on and off exchange in the United States. The surveillance and investigations focus on various forms of market manipulation. MMG additionally provides regulatory services to each of the U.S. national securities exchanges pursuant to Regulatory Services Agreements (RSAs). Finally, the Manipulations Section conducts investigations of significant and timely issues related to market conduct.

The Senior Principal Advisor and Counsel, reporting to the Vice President, Strategic Operations, will assist MMG and MRTS leadership in the oversight of intra-departmental and inter- departmental initiatives, advise on regulatory policy formulation and provide expert guidance on regulatory matters for the Market Regulation Department, work in partnership with the Enforcement Department on complex/high-profile investigations, and represent the Department at meetings with internal and external constituents. The Senior Principal Advisor and Counsel will also apply expert analytical skills and subject matter expertise on the development and implementation of departmental strategy. The Senior Principal Advisor and Counsel will be responsible for certain elements of the review and approval function for existing regulatory programs, to ensure that developing regulatory policy issues are resolved expertly and timely. The Special Advisor and Counsel will also be responsible for communications (both written and oral) with FINRA staff, member firms and regulatory clients.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides operational support to MMG leadership in the administration of the program. Works closely with the MMG and MRTS senior leadership team in achieving departmental goals, as well as developing, coordinating, and implementing individual and cross- group initiatives/strategies related to MMG’s surveillance, investigative, and reporting responsibilities.


• Leads collaboration with groups across the Department and FINRA regarding the progression of complex investigations and the disposition of those matters post-referral to Enforcement, providing expert  analysis and guidance; the development of risk assessments and applications used by the Department; and rule interpretation and development support.


• Oversees cross-Market Regulation projects (including new business initiatives), issues and policy formulation. Advises the MMG and MRTS senior leadership team on the formulation and development of regulatory proposals and policy.


• Reviews, evaluates, and recommends new business initiatives from a strategic, legal and business perspective.


• Evaluates the impact of FINRA, RSA exchange and SEC rule changes on the program and recommends responses, consistent with Market Regulation strategies and legal and regulatory requirements.


• Develops strong relationships and interfaces with RSA exchange clients on projects and other regulatory matters on behalf of Market Manipulations and other Market Regulation groups.


• Utilizes in-depth knowledge of regulatory programs, policies, and strategies to prepare detailed reports for the Chief Regulatory Officers and staff of the current RSA exchanges on the Department’s programs, as well as prepare and deliver high-level briefings/ presentations to FINRA leadership, RSA exchanges, and oversight agency executives.


• Oversees the development of more efficient processes across the Department, including developing and maintaining Department-wide procedures.


• Works with technology partners within FINRA to champion advanced analytics solutions to Market Regulation processes.


• Acts as project sponsor to Department-wide initiatives regarding processes and procedures, applications, and case management.


• Serve as primary liaison to other FINRA groups, including  Member Supervision, Enforcement, Technology, and the Code of Conduct Group.

Other Responsibilities:

• May serve as senior advisor to department committees (i.e., Workflow, Innovation, etc.).

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Undergraduate Degree; Law degree required.


• At least 10 years of industry experience.


• Expert oral/written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills.


• Expert knowledge of federal securities laws, rules and regulations relevant to Market Regulation’s regulatory activities.


• Substantial knowledge of broker-dealer compliance policies and practices.


• Expertise with use of a PC using the full suite of electronic office product applications.

Working Conditions:

• Work is normally performed in an office environment. Extended hours and occasional travel are required.

The salary for this position if the work is performed in New York, New York is  a minimum of

$168,400 annually to a maximum of $329,400 annually; actual compensation is based on various factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s skill set, level of  experience, education and internal peer compensation  comparisons.

Compensation Range for Colorado locations

Annual Salary: $140,300.00 - $274,500.00

#LI-Hybrid

To be considered for this position, please submit an application.

The information provided above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work of the position. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required.

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Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. FINRA also provides a variety of benefits including comprehensive health and welfare benefits, life and disability insurance, paid holidays, vacation, personal, and sick leave. FINRA offers immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match. You will also be eligible for participation in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution, our tuition reimbursement program and many other benefits. If you would like to contribute to our important mission and work collegially in a professional organization that values intelligence, integrity and initiative, consider a career with FINRA.

Important Information

FINRA’s Code of Conduct imposes restrictions on employees’ investments and requires financial disclosures that are uniquely related to our role as a securities regulator. FINRA employees are required to disclose to FINRA all brokerage accounts that they maintain, and those in which they control trading or have a financial interest (including any trust account of which they are a trustee or beneficiary and all accounts of a spouse, domestic partner or minor child who lives with the employee) and to authorize their broker-dealers to provide FINRA with duplicate statements for all of those accounts. All of those accounts are subject to the Code’s investment and securities account restrictions, and new employees must comply with those investment restrictions—including disposing of any security issued by a company on FINRA’s Prohibited Company List or obtaining a written waiver from their Executive Vice President—by the date they begin employment with FINRA. Employees may only maintain securities accounts that must be disclosed to FINRA at one or more securities firms that provide an electronic feed (e-feed) of data to FINRA, and must move securities accounts from other securities firms to a firm that provides an e-feed within three months of beginning employment.

You can read more about these restrictions here.

As standard practice, employees must also execute FINRA’s Employee Confidentiality and Invention Assignment Agreement without qualification or modification and comply with the company’s policy on nepotism.

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