Director of Regulatory Compliance
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Set the compliance strategy and annual plan based on regulatory risk
- Maintain policies, standards, and procedures that support compliant operations
- Lead regulatory monitoring to track new rules and assess business impact
- Oversee compliance risk assessments and document key risks and controls
- Partner with Legal, Security, Finance, and Operations to design compliant processes
- Lead internal testing, control reviews, and remediation plans
- Manage audit readiness and coordinate responses to regulators and auditors
- Deliver compliance training and promote a strong culture of accountability
- Report compliance metrics, incidents, and risk trends to senior leadership and the board
- Select and manage compliance tools and vendor oversight processes
- Investigate potential violations and manage corrective actions
Top Skills for Success
Regulatory Knowledge
Compliance Program Leadership
Risk Assessment
Policy Development
Control Design
Audit Management
Investigation Management
Regulatory Change Management
Stakeholder Management
Executive Communication
Data Fluency
Vendor Risk Management
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Compliance Manager
Senior Compliance Manager
Compliance Program Lead
Regulatory Affairs Manager
Risk Manager
Internal Audit Manager
Transition Opportunities
Vice President of Compliance
Chief Compliance Officer
Head of Risk Management
Head of Governance Risk and Compliance
Chief Risk Officer
General Counsel
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Board ReportingRegulatory Exam ManagementControl TestingCompliance MetricsThird Party OversightIncident Response CoordinationData Privacy ComplianceCybersecurity Compliance
Development SuggestionsBuild a portfolio of measurable compliance outcomes such as reduced audit findings, faster remediation, and improved training completion. Practice writing concise executive updates that explain risk, impact, and decisions needed. Partner closely with Security, Privacy, and Internal Audit to strengthen testing and evidence collection.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelTypically not an entry-level role. Most hires have 8 to 12 years of compliance or risk experience.
Mid LevelUSD 150,000 to 220,000 base pay in many US markets, with bonus often included
Senior LevelUSD 220,000 to 320,000 plus bonus or equity, highest in large regulated enterprises
Growth Trend
Steady demand. Hiring increases with regulatory scrutiny, cybersecurity risk, privacy requirements, and growth in financial services, healthcare, and technology platforms.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
JPMorgan ChaseBank of AmericaWells FargoCitigroupUnitedHealth GroupCVS HealthKaiser PermanentePfizerJohnson and JohnsonMerckAmazonGoogleMicrosoft
Industry Sectors
BankingInsuranceHealthcare ProvidersPharmaceuticalsMedical DevicesFinancial TechnologyPaymentsTechnology PlatformsEnergyTelecommunicationsTransportationManufacturing
Recommended Next Steps
1
Map the top regulators and key obligations relevant to your industry and role scope2
Create a one page compliance program overview covering risks, controls, testing, and reporting3
Strengthen audit readiness by building a clean evidence library and a consistent issue tracking process4
Develop a compliance metrics dashboard that leadership can review monthly5
Refresh training content to focus on real scenarios and measurable understanding6
Document two to three major compliance wins with clear before and after results for interviews7
Network with peers in compliance, legal, risk, and internal audit to learn current exam focus areas