Director, Commodity Trade Compliance (1827)

Posting Summary:

ATA is hiring a Director of Commodity Trade Compliance to lead and strengthen controls across our energy trading and corporate activities. This hands-on leadership role combines strategic oversight with active involvement in compliance operations, investigations, and governance. Ideal candidates bring deep market knowledge, proven judgment, and a commitment to building a strong compliance culture.

Position Overview:

The Director of Commodity Trade Compliance provides strategic leadership for ATA’s compliance program, ensuring adherence to global and U.S. regulatory requirements, internal policies, and ethical standards. This role sets the vision for compliance governance, drives continuous improvement, and partners with senior leadership across Trading, Risk, Legal, and IT to embed compliance into all aspects of operations. The Director manages a team of compliance professionals, oversees contractors (including offshore resources), and serves as a key liaison within Aramco Trading’s global compliance organization. Importantly, this is a hands-on leadership role requiring an eagerness to get involved in doing the work, not just managing from a distance.

Key Accountabilities:

Commodity Trading Compliance

• Ensure compliance with CFTC, FERC, OFAC, and sanctions regulations governing commodity trading activities.
• Maintain robust controls for trade surveillance, position limits, and market conduct.
• Act as primary contact for regulatory inquiries and audits related to trading activities.

Corporate Compliance

• Own ATA compliance framework aligned with ATC global standards and U.S. corporate requirements.
• Drive ethics programs, whistleblower processes, and internal investigations.
• Develop and deliver compliance training across all levels; foster a strong compliance culture.
• Coordinate internal/external audits and ensure timely remediation of findings.

Know Your Customer (KYC) & Customer Reference Data

• Oversee onboarding and due diligence processes for counterparties, ensuring compliance with sanctions and AML requirements.
• Establish standards for customer reference data integrity and accuracy across systems.
• Partner with Credit, Legal, and IT to embed KYC controls into CTRM/SAP workflows.

Additional Responsibilities

• Manage multiple employees and oversee offshore contractors; build capabilities to support ATA’s growth and complexity.
• Serve as Secretary for ATA Compliance Management Committee meetings; prepare agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions.
• Respond to urgent compliance queries and provide guidance to senior leadership.
• Collaborate closely with Legal on regulatory interpretations, contract compliance, and investigations.
• Lead investigations into compliance breaches and recommend appropriate disciplinary actions to ATA Management.
• Provide occasional updates and reports to the ATA Board on compliance matters.
• Actively participate in Aramco Trading’s global compliance organization, sharing best practices and aligning standards.

Experience and Qualifications Required:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in law, finance, business, or related field; JD or advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of compliance experience in energy trading or financial markets, with at least 5 years in leadership roles.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. commodity trading regulations and global compliance standards.
• Knowledge of crude, oil products, LPG and chemicals.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Eagerness to get involved in doing the work, not just managing from a distance.
• Ability to work in an office environment located in downtown Houston, TX.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with CTRM/SAP systems and compliance technology.
• Familiarity with international trade compliance and sanctions regimes.
• Prior experience managing global teams and offshore contractors.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and execution
• Relationship-building with senior stakeholders.
• Ethical decision-making and confidentiality.
• Ability to prioritize under pressure and deliver results.

Disclaimer:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Accordingly, there is no way this job description states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this job. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as necessary.

NO THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATES ACCEPTED