Head Of Compliance Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Head of Compliance roles attract H-1B visa and O-1 visa sponsorship from banks, fintechs, and healthcare systems that need permanent regulatory oversight. Most positions require a law degree or a bachelor's in finance with substantial compliance experience, qualifying as a specialty occupation under USCIS standards. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
See All Head Of Compliance JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 210+ Head Of Compliance jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 210+ Head Of Compliance jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Head Of Compliance roles.
Get Access To All JobsOverview
- Role: Head of Compliance
- Location: New York, NY (5 days/week in-office)
- Base Salary: $175,000-$250,000
- Equity: Competitive Initial Equity Package + refreshers
- Experience: 7-12+ Years
About Pillar
Pillar is building the next-generation commodity risk management stack for the $10T physical economy. We combine real-time market data with AI-powered exposure modeling and automated trade generation to arm operators with precise protection from volatility. From instant execution to continuous monitoring, alerts, and recommendations, Pillar turns complex market risk into a fully managed, always-on hedging engine.
We were founded in 2023 by the youngest macro market-maker at Barclays and a trading systems engineer at Coinbase, and have raised over $20M in capital from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Crucible Capital, Neo, DST Global and more.
The Role
As a registered Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA) with the CFTC and member of the NFA, compliance is foundational to everything Pillar does. We are looking for a Head of Compliance to build, operate, and scale Pillar's global compliance function.
This is not a maintenance role. You will own Pillar's regulatory posture end-to-end: keeping the business fully compliant in the U.S., designing frameworks for new jurisdictions as we expand globally, and serving as a strategic partner to the executive team on product, structure, and market entry. You will sit at the intersection of regulation, product, and strategy, with a direct line to leadership and a mandate to build the compliance function from the ground up.
-
U.S. Regulatory Compliance: Own and maintain Pillar's compliance as a registered CTA, including all CFTC and NFA obligations across disclosure, recordkeeping, reporting, marketing, and supervisory procedures. Manage audits, examinations, and regulatory inquiries. Maintain and continuously improve the firm's compliance manual, policies, and procedures.
-
Global Regulatory Strategy: Research and interpret regulatory requirements across key international markets including India, Australia, Singapore, UAE, and the UK. Design jurisdiction-specific compliance frameworks and advise on optimal regulatory structures for entity setup, cross-border activity, and licensing strategy. Build a repeatable playbook for global expansion.
-
Compliance Infrastructure: Build and implement scalable monitoring and surveillance systems, trade and communications oversight, and internal controls. Develop processes that integrate compliance into product and operations from the start, not as an afterthought. Establish and track KPIs for compliance health and risk exposure.
-
Policy Design and Enforcement: Draft, implement, and enforce firm-wide policies across trading and hedging activities, client onboarding (KYC/AML where applicable), and communications. Conduct internal reviews and investigations as needed. Train employees on compliance obligations and serve as the escalation point for all compliance-related issues.
-
Strategic Advisory: Advise the executive team on the regulatory implications of new products (derivatives, synthetic markets, credit and margin offerings), new geographies, and partnerships with brokers, exchanges, and financial institutions. Help structure Pillar to operate efficiently within swap dealer thresholds, CTA exemptions, and cross-border rules.
What We're Looking For
- 7+ years of experience in compliance, legal, or regulatory roles within commodity trading firms, hedge funds, CTAs, asset managers, FCMs, brokers, or derivatives platforms
- Deep expertise in CFTC and NFA regulations and strong understanding of derivatives markets including futures, options, and OTC swaps
- Experience navigating cross-border regulatory frameworks and designing compliance programs for multiple jurisdictions
- Proven ability to build compliance programs from scratch, not just maintain existing ones
- Ability to balance rigorous risk management with business velocity in a fast-moving, early-stage environment
- Clear and direct communicator: able to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical guidance for product, engineering, and GTM teams
Nice to Have
- Experience with global regulators including FCA, MAS, ESMA, SEBI, or DFSA
- Familiarity with crypto, digital assets, or synthetic markets
- Prior experience at a high-growth startup or scaling fintech
- Legal background (JD) or relevant certifications such as Series 3 or Series 34
Benefits
- đ° Competitive Salary & Equity
- đ 401(k) Program
- âď¸ Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
- â Unlimited PTO and Flexible Hours
- đŁ Paid lunch, coffee, snacks (and dinner if you're staying late)
- đď¸ Monthly Gym Stipend
- đ Regular Team Off-Sites
Overview
- Role: Head of Compliance
- Location: New York, NY (5 days/week in-office)
- Base Salary: $175,000-$250,000
- Equity: Competitive Initial Equity Package + refreshers
- Experience: 7-12+ Years
About Pillar
Pillar is building the next-generation commodity risk management stack for the $10T physical economy. We combine real-time market data with AI-powered exposure modeling and automated trade generation to arm operators with precise protection from volatility. From instant execution to continuous monitoring, alerts, and recommendations, Pillar turns complex market risk into a fully managed, always-on hedging engine.
We were founded in 2023 by the youngest macro market-maker at Barclays and a trading systems engineer at Coinbase, and have raised over $20M in capital from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Crucible Capital, Neo, DST Global and more.
The Role
As a registered Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA) with the CFTC and member of the NFA, compliance is foundational to everything Pillar does. We are looking for a Head of Compliance to build, operate, and scale Pillar's global compliance function.
This is not a maintenance role. You will own Pillar's regulatory posture end-to-end: keeping the business fully compliant in the U.S., designing frameworks for new jurisdictions as we expand globally, and serving as a strategic partner to the executive team on product, structure, and market entry. You will sit at the intersection of regulation, product, and strategy, with a direct line to leadership and a mandate to build the compliance function from the ground up.
-
U.S. Regulatory Compliance: Own and maintain Pillar's compliance as a registered CTA, including all CFTC and NFA obligations across disclosure, recordkeeping, reporting, marketing, and supervisory procedures. Manage audits, examinations, and regulatory inquiries. Maintain and continuously improve the firm's compliance manual, policies, and procedures.
-
Global Regulatory Strategy: Research and interpret regulatory requirements across key international markets including India, Australia, Singapore, UAE, and the UK. Design jurisdiction-specific compliance frameworks and advise on optimal regulatory structures for entity setup, cross-border activity, and licensing strategy. Build a repeatable playbook for global expansion.
-
Compliance Infrastructure: Build and implement scalable monitoring and surveillance systems, trade and communications oversight, and internal controls. Develop processes that integrate compliance into product and operations from the start, not as an afterthought. Establish and track KPIs for compliance health and risk exposure.
-
Policy Design and Enforcement: Draft, implement, and enforce firm-wide policies across trading and hedging activities, client onboarding (KYC/AML where applicable), and communications. Conduct internal reviews and investigations as needed. Train employees on compliance obligations and serve as the escalation point for all compliance-related issues.
-
Strategic Advisory: Advise the executive team on the regulatory implications of new products (derivatives, synthetic markets, credit and margin offerings), new geographies, and partnerships with brokers, exchanges, and financial institutions. Help structure Pillar to operate efficiently within swap dealer thresholds, CTA exemptions, and cross-border rules.
What We're Looking For
- 7+ years of experience in compliance, legal, or regulatory roles within commodity trading firms, hedge funds, CTAs, asset managers, FCMs, brokers, or derivatives platforms
- Deep expertise in CFTC and NFA regulations and strong understanding of derivatives markets including futures, options, and OTC swaps
- Experience navigating cross-border regulatory frameworks and designing compliance programs for multiple jurisdictions
- Proven ability to build compliance programs from scratch, not just maintain existing ones
- Ability to balance rigorous risk management with business velocity in a fast-moving, early-stage environment
- Clear and direct communicator: able to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical guidance for product, engineering, and GTM teams
Nice to Have
- Experience with global regulators including FCA, MAS, ESMA, SEBI, or DFSA
- Familiarity with crypto, digital assets, or synthetic markets
- Prior experience at a high-growth startup or scaling fintech
- Legal background (JD) or relevant certifications such as Series 3 or Series 34
Benefits
- đ° Competitive Salary & Equity
- đ 401(k) Program
- âď¸ Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
- â Unlimited PTO and Flexible Hours
- đŁ Paid lunch, coffee, snacks (and dinner if you're staying late)
- đď¸ Monthly Gym Stipend
- đ Regular Team Off-Sites
See all 210+ Head Of Compliance jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Head Of Compliance roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Head Of Compliance Jobs
Target regulated industries first
Banks, insurance carriers, healthcare systems, and publicly traded companies maintain dedicated compliance functions and sponsor visas regularly. These employers have established immigration infrastructure, making the sponsorship process faster and less uncertain than approaching smaller or unregulated firms.
Clarify your degree and experience match
USCIS requires that your degree field directly relates to compliance work. A law degree, finance degree, or accounting background strengthens your specialty occupation claim. Mismatches between your credential and the role's regulatory focus are among the most common denial reasons for this title.
Emphasize domain-specific expertise
Compliance is broad. Specifying your focus area, whether AML, SOX, HIPAA, or SEC regulations, signals to employers that you fill a precise gap. Niche expertise makes sponsorship easier to justify internally and strengthens the specialty occupation argument with USCIS during the H-1B petition.
Ask about sponsorship policy early
Many employers sponsor selectively, often only for senior or hard-to-fill roles. Raising sponsorship in the first or second interview round avoids investing weeks in a process that stalls. Phrasing it as confirming their experience with the process lands better than asking for a commitment upfront.
Understand the LCA requirement
Before your H-1B petition is filed, your employer must submit a Labor Condition Application certifying your offered compensation meets prevailing wage levels for compliance roles in your location. This step is the employer's responsibility, but understanding it helps you verify the process is moving correctly.
Build a compliance credentials portfolio
Certifications like CAMS, CCEP, or a FINRA license reinforce your specialty occupation case and differentiate you from generalist candidates. Employers evaluating sponsorship investment prefer candidates whose credentials reduce the risk of a USCIS Request for Evidence slowing down the hiring timeline significantly.
Head Of Compliance jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Head Of Compliance JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can a Head of Compliance role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, Head of Compliance roles generally qualify as specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as law, finance, or accounting. USCIS scrutinizes compliance titles more than technical roles, so your petition is stronger when the job description specifies a required degree field rather than listing it as preferred.
Which visa types do employers use to sponsor compliance leaders?
H-1B is the most common path. Candidates with a track record of senior leadership, published regulatory guidance, or significant industry recognition may qualify for the O-1A, which has no lottery and no annual cap. Australians can pursue the E-3 as an alternative to the H-1B, which also bypasses the lottery. Browse current openings on Migrate Mate to find employers already familiar with these pathways.
Does my degree field need to match compliance specifically?
USCIS requires a logical connection between your degree and the compliance role. A JD, a finance degree, or a business degree with a regulatory concentration all support the specialty occupation claim well. A degree in an unrelated field, such as communications or liberal arts, makes the petition harder to sustain unless you have substantial post-degree compliance credentials that bridge the gap.
How likely is USCIS to issue a Request for Evidence for this role?
Compliance titles receive RFEs more frequently than software engineering or scientific roles because USCIS sometimes questions whether a specific degree is always required, versus preferred. Employers with experienced immigration counsel who draft detailed specialty occupation support letters significantly reduce RFE risk. Choosing an employer with a prior record of successful compliance sponsorships matters more than most candidates realize.
Are Head of Compliance roles typically cap-exempt for H-1B purposes?
Most are not. Positions at for-profit banks, fintechs, insurance companies, and publicly traded corporations are cap-subject, meaning they enter the H-1B lottery. Cap-exempt status applies when the employer is a nonprofit research institution, university, or government research organization. Senior compliance roles at hospital systems affiliated with teaching universities may qualify, but this requires employer-specific legal confirmation.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Head Of Compliance jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
See which Head Of Compliance employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Head Of Compliance Jobs