Zest AI has been perfecting AI for consumer lending decisions since 2009. Our mission is to make fair and transparent credit available to everyone and our AI-enabled software creates some of the most inclusive risk models in the industry. Our Model Management System helps lenders make better decisions and better loans — increasing revenue, reducing risk, and automating compliance — while expanding credit access to deserving people with no added risk!

Zest AI is hiring for an Associate General Counsel, Compliance to join our Legal & Compliance team to help us drive through our next phase of growth. Reporting to our Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, the AGC, Compliance will be Zest AI’s compliance leader and subject matter expert in model risk, fair lending, information security, privacy and other applicable regulations. The AGC, Compliance will maintain and establish policies and implement procedures, create metrics to help track compliance, and perform compliance audits to ensure compliance program effectiveness. Because Zest AI is in the scale-up phase, the AGC, Compliance will also need to be comfortable taking responsibility for related areas like insurance and SOC audits with the assistance of external consultants as needed.

In this role you will:

• Develop, review, and update policies and procedures as needed or annually where required - collaborate with multiple stakeholders (Finance, HR, InfoSec etc.) to help maintain their library of policies, procedures, and diligence materials
• Work collaboratively with business leaders to develop and execute compliance-related procedures and remediation/review projects
• Oversee annual company-wide risk assessment
• Provide compliance analysis and advice for existing and new product development
• Develop, maintain, and execute against the compliance internal monitoring/audit calendar
• Responsible for oversight of Zest AI’s model governance policy and framework and GenAI/LLM Policy
• In accordance with model governance policies, review and maintain templates for MRM reports, fair lending reports; responsible for review of model variables for compliance with applicable fair lending laws and model risk guidance
• Maintain and update company compliance training materials as needed
• Manage outside SOC and infosec audits and findings or recommendations in collaboration with the CISO
• Manage internal and external model validation audits in collaboration with the CTO and Data Science
• Oversee regulatory change management where new laws may be introduced impacting Zest AI services and advise on impact of proposed or recently passed legislation in coordination with Zest AI’s Government Affairs team
• Maintain annual insurance applications and renewals
• Oversee Third Party Risk/Vendor Risk Management review for all contracted vendors and partners
• Manage and respond to client due diligence requests and maintain repository of due diligence bank that can be provided to clients or prospects upon request
• Be comfortable utilizing or learning to use Atlassian Jira/Confluence or similar technology platforms to track and monitor various compliance functions discussed above and share updates across a variety of functions and stakeholders

We are looking for:

• JD degree from an accredited law school and license in good standing to practice law in at least one state bar
• 10+ years of experience with model risk and/or fair lending compliance practices including FCRA and ECOA especially as they relate to fair lending and consumer notification requirements in credit underwriting and fraud detection
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal consumer financial laws, regulations, and legislation, especially related to model risk and fair lending
• Advanced knowledge in risk identification, risk assessment, controls development, training, monitoring, and reporting
• Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze, summarize and effectively present data
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies
• Strong technology skills for tracking and communicating cross-functional projects and goals
• Live Zest AI’s goals, including a bias for action, able to provide both high-level compliance analysis while also taking on day-to-day responsibility for executing common compliance functions
• Willingness to take on other duties and responsibilities as needed as we scale.

Preferred, but not required

• Experience building out the compliance function at a fintech or other financial institution
• Knowledge of infosec requirements and operations and privacy-related regulations, including the GLBA, CCPA/CPRA and GDPR

Perks and benefits

All Zestys experience:

• The opportunity to join a mission-focused company
• People – the best part of Zest
• Robust medical, dental and vision insurance plans
• Annual bonus plan participation
• 401(k) with generous match
• Employee Awards and Recognition
• 11 company holidays
• Winter break (office closed between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day)
• Unlimited vacation time
• Employee Resource Groups and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion forums
• Generous family leave policy (12 week maternity leave / 6 week paternity leave)
• Phone and internet allowance
• Employee gatherings, including quarterly Town Hall meetings

Our Burbank, CA area, hybrid model (typically 1 day/week) Zestys also enjoy:

• Complimentary daily lunches from LA’s best restaurants and a fully stocked kitchen
• Beautiful, modern, dog-friendly office with lounge and gaming areas
• Complimentary manicures, pedicures, and mindfulness sessions
• Reimbursable membership to the onsite gym
• Company happy hours, social events, outings, volunteer opportunities and much more!
• Onsite car wash service

About Zest AI:

Creating a diverse and inclusive culture where all are welcomed, valued, and empowered to achieve our full potential is important to who we are and where we’re headed in the future. We know that unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives help us think bigger, spark innovation, and succeed together. Zest is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages professionals from underrepresented groups in technology and financial services to apply.

Our core values are Collaboration, Communication, Client-centricity, Bias for Action, and Heart.

Learn more at Zest.ai and connect with us on Twitter@Zest_AI or our Insights blog (https://www.zest.ai/cms/insights).