[Hiring] Head of Compliance @Step

Role Description

As we grow, we’re looking for a Head of Compliance to lead and scale our compliance program across the full spectrum of applicable banking, lending and payments regulations. This is a unique opportunity for someone who brings deep regulatory knowledge and the willingness to get into the details—rolling up their sleeves to build, maintain, and evolve a compliance function that enables innovation, trust, and long-term impact.

In this role, you will:

• Serve as Step’s compliance leader and subject matter expert across all key banking and financial services regulations, including but not limited to: BSA/AML, KYC, UDAAP, Reg E, Reg Z, EFTA, GLBA, FCRA, and CFPB guidance.
• Own and drive the compliance strategy, ensuring that Step’s products, partnerships, and operations meet regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Develop, enhance, and execute policies and procedures that support a risk-based, scalable compliance program.
• Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, Risk, Customer Experience, Marketing, Legal and our partner banks to support compliant product development and delivery.
• Oversee internal reviews, audits, testing, training, and ongoing monitoring efforts.
• Lead compliance management processes such as issue tracking, regulatory exams, complaints handling, and reporting.
• Evaluate new regulations and regulatory changes, and translate them into actionable plans and guidance.
• Serve as the primary compliance point of contact with regulators, partner banks, auditors, and other key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in compliance, legal within fintech, banking, and/or payments—ideally across both startup and regulated environments.
• Deep and broad understanding of U.S. consumer financial services regulation, with specific fluency in deposit, payments, and lending frameworks.
• Experience working with sponsor banks or in BaaS partnerships, and a strong understanding of the nuances of shared compliance models.
• Comfortable being hands-on. You can write a policy, respond to a regulator, review a customer flow, or assess a vendor—your sleeves are already rolled up.
• You communicate clearly, proactively, and with confidence—whether you’re explaining regs to product managers or responding to examiners.
• You’re energized by solving difficult problems, building systems, and collaborating cross-functionally.

Requirements

• Location: Remote (US) or San Mateo, CA, with occasional travel for team offsites and key meetings.
• Reports to: Chief Operating Officer.
• Education: Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and stock options.
• Generous medical, dental, vision, and company-paid life insurance.
• 401k plan with Safe Harbor company matching.
• Flexible vacation policy and paid company holidays.
• 12 weeks paid parental leave with flexible return to work.
• Company-provided technology package.