Sr. Compliance Manager, Suitability

Summary

Axonic Insurance is seeking a Sr. Compliance Manager, Suitability to lead its annuity suitability compliance function. This hands-on leadership role will oversee the suitability team, establish review standards and controls, and serve as the primary escalation point for complex suitability matters. The position will partner with the Chief Compliance Officer and business leaders to strengthen the program as the business grows while supporting consistent, well-documented decisions that protect consumers and meet applicable regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Suitability Program Management

• Lead the suitability compliance program, maintaining policies, procedures, review criteria, and escalation standards that reflect applicable state requirements and company expectations.
• Monitor regulatory developments, including state requirements based on the NAIC Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation, and coordinate implementation with Compliance, Legal, and business partners.
• Recommend and implement decision authority, documentation standards, and escalation procedures for annuity reviews in consultation with the Chief Compliance Officer.
• Advise on suitability requirements for new products, distribution relationships, forms, and system changes.

Team Leadership

• Directly manage the Suitability Supervisor and provide overall leadership, coaching, and development for the suitability team.
• Set expectations for review quality, timeliness, consistency, and sound judgment; partner with the supervisor to manage capacity and address training needs.
• Develop the supervisor and team members through feedback, technical guidance, and opportunities to take on greater responsibility.

Complex Reviews and Escalations

• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex or higher-risk cases, including concerns involving liquidity, concentration, surrender charges, replacements, and vulnerable consumers.
• Review consumer financial information, product features, and recommendation rationale to determine whether transactions meet applicable suitability standards.
• Make and document decisions within delegated authority, including requests for additional information and transaction approvals or declines; escalate significant issues to the Chief Compliance Officer.
• Resolve suitability questions with producers, distributors, and internal partners while maintaining independent compliance judgment and clear documentation.

Monitoring and Process Improvement

• Oversee quality assurance and periodic testing of suitability reviews and controls; identify inconsistent decisions, recurring deficiencies, and corrective actions.
• Analyze review volumes, turnaround times, escalations, and producer or distributor trends; report material risks and program performance to the Chief Compliance Officer.
• Coordinate suitability-related responses to audits, regulatory examinations, and information requests, and track remediation through completion.
• Partner with Operations, Distribution, Technology, and other Compliance teams to improve workflows, systems, training, and recordkeeping as the business grows.
• Support reviews of suitability-related complaints and producer activity, referring potential misconduct or other compliance concerns to the appropriate team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in annuity suitability, insurance compliance, or a closely related function, including substantial hands-on annuity suitability review experience.
• 3+ years of experience leading a team or suitability function, with demonstrated ability to coach staff, oversee review quality, and manage escalations.
• Strong knowledge of annuity products, including fixed and fixed indexed annuities, and the consumer financial considerations relevant to recommendations, exchanges, and replacements.
• Thorough understanding of state annuity suitability requirements and the ability to translate regulatory expectations into practical procedures and controls.
• Experience developing policies, conducting quality assurance or compliance testing, and supporting audits or regulatory examinations.
• Sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and the ability to make and explain defensible decisions while maintaining professional relationships with business partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organizational, and people leadership skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office and suitability or policy administration systems.