Associate Director, Risk & Compliance

Description

Position Title  Associate Director, Risk & Compliance

Reports to       Senior Director, Risk & Compliance

Classification  Exempt

ABOUT AEF

American Endowment Foundation (AEF), headquartered in Hudson, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, is a nonprofit financial services organization and one of the largest independent, national donor-advised fund (DAF) sponsoring organizations.  Since its founding in 1993, AEF has been mission-motivated to expand philanthropy throughout the financial services industry and to communities across the country. 

Through our DAF product and technology driven platform, individuals can donate, receive an immediate tax benefit, grow their investment, and make grants from the fund over time. 

At AEF, our people-driven culture is at the heart of everything we do. Here philanthropy is personal, and we take an unbiased approach to charitable giving that honors our clients’ intent by directing their gifts and grants to the charitable causes that are important to them. Every day, we give our best to exceed expectations and make a lasting positive impact together. 

POSITION SUMMARY
The Associate Director, Risk and Compliance plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the organization adheres to regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and internal policies related to risk management, compliance, and fiduciary responsibilities. This role involves a mix of compliance monitoring, risk analysis, and supporting the day-to-day operations of the risk and compliance program.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Enterprise Risk Management
   1. Manage the identification, assessment, and monitoring of risks across various areas of the organization, including financial, operational, regulatory, and reputational risks.
   2. Support the development and implementation of risk management strategies and policies, ensuring they align with the organization’s objectives and regulatory requirements.
   3. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of risk mitigation controls and recommend enhancements where necessary.
2. Compliance Monitoring and Reporting
   1. Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), nonprofit organizations, charitable giving, and other related areas.
   2. Develop and maintain compliance policies and procedures, ensuring they reflect the latest regulatory changes.
   3. Prepare regular compliance reports for internal stakeholders, regulatory authorities, and auditors, as necessary.
   4. Lead compliance audits and assessments, ensuring timely completion and resolution of audit findings.
   5. Communicate regularly with AEF associates to ensure awareness of compliance practices in accordance with internal policies and procedures and external laws and regulations, helping foster a culture of compliance
3. Internal Audits
   1. Review risks and related controls to determine and recommend the scope of proposed audits.
   2. Lead and execute internal audits, including planning, fieldwork, and reporting.
   3. Prepare formal written audit reports for management, highlighting findings and recommendations for corrective action.
   4. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure audit findings are addressed and resolved in a timely manner.
4. Other
   1. Provide guidance to the Risk & Compliance team.
   2. Support a continuous improvement mindset within the team and organization.
   3. Build reports and presentations for the Senior Director, Risk & Compliance and the Executive Leadership Team, as requested.
   4. Work closely with the Senior Director, Risk & Compliance, in advancing Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management at AEF, including the development of metrics for regular reporting.
   5. Manage the administration of the vendor management system.
   6. Stay up to date with the latest developments in risk management, compliance regulations, and donor-advised fund industry trends.
   7. Recommend improvements to the organization’s risk and compliance framework to ensure it remains robust, proactive, and effective.
   8. Develop and deliver risk and compliance training programs for staff members to ensure ongoing awareness of compliance obligations and best practices.
   9. Provide technical guidance to internal teams on risk and compliance matters, offering support to ensure they are following policies and regulations effectively.

Qualifications

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field required. Professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CIA, CRCM, CCEP) are a plus
• 4 or more years of experience in risk management, compliance, or auditing
• Experience within the financial service sectors, Donor-Advised Funds, philanthropic organizations, or charitable giving is a plus
• Possess an understanding of risk management and compliance principles of nonprofit organizations and financial institutions 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify risks and assess compliance gaps
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High attention to detail and organization
• Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams