Compliance Manager

Level: 8+ years of experience

Location: Boston, MA (Hybrid)

Job Summary:

The Compliance Manager will serve as a strategic and tactical member of the compliance team. This role is responsible for independently managing complex regulatory initiatives, interpreting evolving regulations, and proactively advising on compliance risks and best practices. Leveraging expertise in investment advisory regulation and internal policy, this individual will work across business functions to strengthen NEPC’s compliance program and ensure alignment with fiduciary standards, client expectations, and industry best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

Regulatory Strategy & Advisory Support:

• Interpret and assess the impact of new and existing regulations on firm practices; communicate implications and recommend operational changes.
• Partner with the CCO to design and implement firm-wide compliance strategies, initiatives, and control enhancements.
• Act as a trusted resource for consulting teams, investment staff, and operational leadership on regulatory and policy questions.

Policy Development & Program Oversight:

• Lead the development, enhancement, and rollout of key compliance policies and procedures, ensuring practical implementation aligned with regulatory expectations.
• Manage firm-level compliance frameworks (e.g., Code of Ethics, conflicts of interest management, political contributions, personal trading) with minimal oversight.
• Oversee vendor tools such as ComplySci, identifying opportunities to improve processes, streamline reporting, and enhance system usage.

Regulatory Filings & Exam Preparedness:

• Oversee preparation of and review submission of all required filings (e.g., Form ADV, Form 5500, Schedule C), ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant documentation.
• Serve as a key point of contact for regulatory inquiries, audits, and examinations, preparing responses and supporting documentation in collaboration with legal and operational teams.

Compliance Monitoring & Risk Mitigation:

• Design and lead risk-based testing and monitoring activities to assess the effectiveness of policies, controls, and business practices.
• Identify and communicate emerging risks or gaps, partnering with stakeholders to implement corrective actions.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Communication:

• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., Legal, HR, IT, Investment teams) to support compliance training, employee disclosures, and internal communications.
• Prepare and present compliance updates and risk assessments to senior management and committees.
• Represent the compliance function in cross-departmental initiatives, supporting operational change and firm growth from a regulatory lens.

Continuous Improvement & Thought Leadership:

• Stay current on SEC, DOL, ERISA, and state-specific regulatory developments affecting investment advisors and institutional clients.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and implementing process enhancements and team and firmwide education and awareness.

Qualifications & Needed Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (e.g., JD, MBA) or relevant certifications (e.g., IACCP, CIPM, CFA, CCEP) preferred.
• Experience in regulatory compliance, within the investment advisory, asset management, or financial services industry; familiarity with fiduciary standards, client contract review, pay-to-play rules and political contribution tracking preferred.
• Ability to think critically and strategically, identifying risk and proactively recommending solutions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, memos, and regulatory responses.
• High level of integrity, sound judgment, and discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Curious, adaptable, and eager to stay current on regulatory developments and industry trends.

Company Background:

NEPC, LLC is a full-service investment consulting firm based in Boston, Massachusetts. We were founded in 1986 and now have approximately 375 employees and over 400 clients.  We help governments, institutions, families, and individuals preserve and grow their capital across different asset classes and market cycles. We provide a variety of consulting services such as asset allocation, performance measurement, policy formulation, investment manager research, and discretionary portfolio management. Our clients include defined benefit, defined contribution, endowments, foundations, trusts, public, corporate, Taft-Hartley, health & welfare, high net worth, insurance, and private plans. 

Culture is important to us here at NEPC – our values include putting clients first, doing the right thing, bringing your whole self to work, building trust, embracing change, and having a “we before me” approach in our work. Advancing diversity and inclusion within our firm and industry is also a core initiative at NEPC. We are a strong advocate of promotion from within, so excellent potential exists for professional growth. We’re a fun (but demanding) company with excellent working conditions, a flexible, hybrid work offering and a very supportive, team-oriented environment, and a full benefits program to support your life and well-being. We offer a competitive salary and bonuses (when applicable).

NEPC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (May 2025)