Director of Compliance & Operations

Director of Compliance & OperationsAmerican Estate & Trust | Las Vegas, NV (On-site) | Full-time

The full job description covers all associated skills, previous experience, and any qualifications that applicants are expected to have.
About AETAmerican Estate & Trust is a Nevada-chartered trust company and IRS-approved nonbank trustee specializing in self-directed IRA custody for alternative assets. Since 2007, we’ve grown to roughly $2.5B in assets under custody, serving RIAs, family offices, fintech platforms, and deal sponsors through our investor portal, business portal, and API.
The roleWe’re looking for a thoughtful, technically savvy compliance leader to own our compliance program end to end and lead the Operations team that reviews investments. You’ll serve as our board-appointed BSA/AML Officer and report directly to the CEO.This isn’t a “just say no” compliance role. We want someone who protects the company, helps the business find a compliant path to yes, and brings well-reasoned, documented positions to conversations with auditors and regulators.
What you’ll ownOur compliance program, including all written policies and proceduresOur relationship with the Nevada Financial Institutions Division, plus regulatory filings, licenses, and renewalsAnnual FID and BSA audits, and remediation of any findingsFraud and BSA/AML monitoring, including modernizing it with automation and AISAR and other FinCEN reportingInvestment review standards, and leadership of the Operations team that performs reviewsRisk evaluations of new partners and periodic re-reviews of onboarded businessesBoard reporting on the BSA program, risk assessments, and policiesCompany insurance policies
Your first 90 daysWe want you to understand our business before you change it. Your first three months move from learning, to assessing, to building.
First 30 days: Learn and take ownership.You’ll meet leadership, the Operations team, and key partners to understand our business, products, and risk profile. You’ll take ownership of the compliance calendar, including every filing, license, renewal, audit, and training obligation. You’ll review our BSA/AML program and recent exam and audit results, introduce yourself to our regulatory and audit contacts, and sit in on investment reviews to see how decisions are made today.
Days 31 to 60: Assess and baseline.With that foundation, you’ll set a baseline for review turnaround and consistency, start an inventory of our policies and procedures, and note where written policy and actual practice differ. You’ll assess our fraud and BSA monitoring and outline a plan to modernize it with automation and AI. You’ll set clear standards for the Operations team and deliver your first written risk evaluation on a new partner or business opportunity.
Days 61 to 90: Build and deliver.By day 90, every compliance obligation will have an owner, a documented procedure, and a due date. A senior team lead will run day-to-day review oversight, freeing you to focus on the program. You’ll draft written investment review standards by asset type, set a regular compliance reporting rhythm with leadership, and share a prioritized roadmap with the CEO for the rest of the year.
What success looks like in year oneThat roadmap carries you into the rest of your first year, where success means:Clean regulatory exams and audits with no repeat findingsA documented, risk-based fraud monitoring program with AI-assisted detectionFaster, more consistent investment reviews against written standardsCurrent policies that match how we actually workDecision-ready risk recommendations for leadership within days, not weeksA high-performing Operations team with clear standards and strong day-to-day leadership
What we’re looking forExperience as the named BSA/AML officer at a trust company, bank, or MSBDirect experience leading regulatory exams and auditsStrong analytical judgment on novel assets and business modelsPeople leadership experienceDaily use of Claude or similar AI tools, with real examples of how they make your work betterClear, concise writingCAMS or equivalent certification preferredFamiliarity with self-directed IRAs, prohibited transactions, UBTI, or precious metals is a plus
Benefits and CompensationSalary range: 140k - 180k + bonus based on hitting the above targets.Health InsuranceDental Insurance10 PTO days + 5 sick daysPaid US Holidays
Equal Employment OpportunityAmerican Estate & Trust is an equal opportunity employer. xzbcwsv We make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their wages. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us.