Summary

Responsible for operating and administering Sunward’s Compliance Management System (CMS) day to day — regulatory change management, the risk-based compliance monitoring and testing schedule, policy and procedure upkeep, and complaint management — under the direction of the Manager, Compliance and BSA Officer. This role keeps the CMS current, well-documented, and running on cadence, and provides the dedicated operational capacity the compliance program needs as regulatory complexity grows.

The role coordinates with business units, the enterprise risk team, and control partners to track regulatory changes, execute monitoring and testing, maintain the compliance documentation set, and support complaint intake and reporting. It guides stakeholders on compliance requirements, ensures adherence to established procedures, tracks issues and corrective actions, and escalates concerns appropriately.

Operating with limited-to-moderate autonomy within established policy, the CMS Analyst / Specialist executes program activities, prepares compliance reporting for review, applies practical judgment in day-to-day work, and refers novel, high-impact, or cross-departmental matters to the Manager, Compliance.

Essential Functions:

CMS Operation & Regulatory Change Management

• Operates the regulatory change-management process — monitors rule changes and regulatory guidance, assesses applicability to Sunward, and coordinates implementation with affected business units.

• Maintains the CMS framework documentation, ensuring policies, procedures, and program records are current, version-controlled, and readily retrievable.

• Maintains the compliance calendar and program cadence, ensuring recurring obligations and filings are tracked and met.

• Administers compliance program systems and tools, supporting data accuracy and consistent use across the compliance function.

Monitoring, Testing & Issue Management

• Executes the risk-based compliance monitoring and testing schedule, documenting scope, methodology, results, and findings.

• Tracks compliance issues and corrective actions to closure, escalating aging or high-severity items to the Manager, Compliance.

• Conducts or supports compliance risk assessments, helping identify and prioritize areas of regulatory exposure.

• Supports consumer compliance activities (e.g., UDAAP, fair lending, and regulation-specific requirements) as directed.

Complaint Management, Reporting & Examinations

• Administers complaint management — intake, categorization, root-cause review, tracking, and reporting — including consumer-complaint trend analysis.

• Prepares compliance reporting for the Manager, Compliance and, as needed, for the Risk Oversight Committee and Board Governance & Risk Committee.

• Supports regulatory examinations (e.g., NCUA), internal and external audits, and management responses by coordinating documentation, preparing narratives, and tracking corrective actions.

• Delivers or supports compliance training and stakeholder guidance to reinforce consistent compliance practices across the organization.

• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of departmental and organizational objectives.

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in regulatory compliance, compliance monitoring/testing, audit, or a related function within a financial institution.

• Hands-on experience operating or supporting a Compliance Management System (CMS) or comparable compliance program framework preferred.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• Relevant certification (e.g., NCCO, CRCM, CUCE, or similar) preferred.

Knowledge

• Working knowledge of consumer compliance and credit union regulatory requirements, and of CMS frameworks and expectations.

• Familiarity with regulatory change management, compliance monitoring and testing methodology, and complaint management.

• Applied understanding of NCUA examination practices and how findings translate into program actions.

• Understanding of compliance risk assessment concepts (inherent and residual risk, controls, and mitigation).

• Proficiency in MS Office and experience with compliance / GRC or program-management software (e.g., Tandem) to support operational execution.

Skills/Abilities

• Strong attention to detail and process discipline; produces accurate, well-documented compliance records and testing work papers.

• Demonstrates high ethical standards and monitors adherence to compliance procedures; raises and escalates concerns to leadership as needed.

• Applies practical judgment within established policy; escalates novel, high-impact, or cross-departmental matters to the Manager, Compliance.

• Clear written and verbal communication; able to synthesize and present regulatory requirements, testing results, and program documentation.

• Strong organizational skills; manages multiple obligations, testing cycles, and deadlines with limited direction.

• Collaborative team contributor; coordinates effectively with business units, the enterprise risk team, Legal, and control partners.

• Able to professionally represent the institution to regulators and auditors in support of examinations and inquiries.

• Self-starter with a high sense of urgency and a positive, adaptable mindset.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Primarily office-based work with frequent use of computers, phones, and other standard office equipment.

• Ability to sit, stand, and work at a desk for extended periods throughout the workday.

• Occasional lifting or moving of light materials (up to 15–20 pounds), such as files or office supplies.

• May require participation in meetings, training sessions, or site visits within the organization.

• Work environment includes deadlines, audits, or regulatory review periods requiring focused attention and multitasking.

• Ability to communicate clearly in person, by phone, and electronically with internal stakeholders and external partners.