Director of Licensing and Compliance

About the Job This is a new, high-impact position responsible for building and leading the company's licensing and compliance program from the ground up. As Director of Licensing and Compliance, you will own the full lifecycle of state lending and MLO licensing, including new license acquisition, drive examination readiness, and establish the operational playbooks that scale with the business. You will report to the General Counsel, and this role is ideal for you as a self-starter who thrives in a build-phase environment. New License Applications Lead the preparation and submission of new state lending license applications, including corporate entity applications, across target jurisdictions Manage the full application lifecycle: gathering corporate documentation, drafting responses to supplemental requests, coordinating surety bonds and financial statements, and shepherding applications through approval Evaluate new-state entry requirements and advise the General Counsel on timelines, costs, and regulatory considerations for market expansion Build and maintain relationships with state regulators to facilitate efficient application processing Licensing Program Management Design, implement, and manage the end-to-end process for maintaining state lending licenses across all active jurisdictions Monitor state regulatory requirements and ensure timely renewals, amendments, and filings (including NMLS submissions) Track and maintain records for all company and branch licenses MLO Licensing Oversight Oversee the licensing, registration, and ongoing maintenance of Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) licenses Manage MLO onboarding and offboarding workflows, including sponsorship, background checks, and continuing education tracking Serve as the primary point of contact for MLO licensing inquiries and escalations Examination Preparation and Response Lead preparation for state regulatory examinations, including document gathering, internal readiness reviews, and coordination across departments Serve as the primary liaison with state examiners during the examination process Track examination findings, coordinate remediation efforts, and implement corrective actions Compliance Playbook Development Build and maintain playbooks for annual state reporting obligations, including MCRs, MSRs, and other jurisdiction-specific filings Develop standardized processes, checklists, and calendars to ensure consistent, timely compliance across all licensed states Document procedures in a manner that supports scalability and knowledge transfer Program Building Establish the foundational infrastructure for the licensing and compliance function, including vendor relationships, technology tools, and internal workflows Develop KPIs and reporting to give leadership visibility into licensing status, examination outcomes, and compliance health Identify and recommend process improvements and automation opportunities The on-target earnings for this position are $215,000 to $250,000, inclusive of a base salary and a biannual bonus based on company, team, and individual success. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. About You 7+ years of experience in mortgage or consumer lending licensing and compliance Proven track record of preparing and submitting corporate state lending license applications and obtaining new licenses in multiple jurisdictions Deep working knowledge of NMLS, state licensing requirements, and multistate regulatory frameworks Direct experience preparing for and responding to state regulatory examinations Demonstrated ability to build a program or function, not just maintain one Familiarity with compliance management software and NMLS batch processing Desire to participate in fast-paced early-stage startup Adaptability: Embraces changing circumstances with resiliency, positivity and a sense of humor Team-Oriented: Prioritizes collaboration, inclusivity, and teammate suppor…