Director of Client Development

Description

Position Overview

Cygnus Compliance Consulting is seeking a revenue leader to serve as Director of Client Development. This role is intended for a highly connected industry executive with established C-suite relationships across financial crime, AML, sanctions, fraud, and regulatory compliance ecosystem.

The selected candidate will bring in and maintain an active network of decision-makers within banks, broker-dealers, fintechs, insurance companies, and other financial institutions, and will leverage those relationships to originate and close new client engagements. Experience selling AI Agentic, SaaS-based compliance products is strongly preferred and will be integral to driving product-led growth. This individual will be selling Cygnus Compliance Consulting Services and their Open Compliance Suite (AI Agentic, SaaS Platform) into banks/financial institutions/fintech companies.

This individual must be fully operational from the outset, independently generating pipeline, advancing opportunities, and driving revenue growth. The role carries direct accountability for revenue production, client origination, and strategic account expansion.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Revenue Origination

Leverage established relationships with C-suite and senior executives to create new business opportunities.

• Utilize personal and professional networks to introduce and secure qualified client engagements.
• Develop and execute a revenue generation strategy aligned with firm growth objectives.
• Identify new client prospects and expand existing institutional relationships.
• Drive sales of Cygnus Compliance Consulting and AI driven SaaS–based Open Compliance products as part of overall client solution delivery.

Executive Relationship Management

• Maintain trusted advisor relationships with Chief Compliance Officers, Chief Risk Officers, Chief AML Officers, Heads of Financial Crime, and other executive leaders.
• Represent Cygnus Compliance Consulting and Open Compliance Suite (OCS) within the financial crime and compliance community at the executive level.
• Engage in strategic discussions regarding regulatory expectations, model risk management, AML program effectiveness, sanctions compliance, and fraud risk oversight.

Sales Leadership & Execution

• Lead the full lifecycle of the sales process, including origination, proposal development, negotiation, and contract execution.
• Identify and respond to RFPs and proactive proposal opportunities.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans to deepen client penetration.
• Maintain and manage a robust, high-quality sales pipeline.
• Meet or exceed established revenue and business development targets.

Market & Industry Engagement

• Represent Cygnus Compliance Consulting and Open Compliance Suite (OCS) at industry conferences, regulatory forums, and financial crime events.
• Strengthen brand visibility and credibility within the marketplace.
• Track regulatory developments, enforcement actions, and competitive dynamics.
• Provide strategic input on emerging client needs and future product or service offerings.

Internal Collaboration & Leadership

• Partner with consulting and delivery teams to scope engagements and ensure seamless execution.
• Contribute to the development of new products and service offerings aligned with market demand.
• Support marketing initiatives, including thought leadership and executive-level outreach.
• Provide guidance and leadership to business development personnel as appropriate.

Required Experience & Qualifications

Industry Expertise

• Minimum of 10 years of experience within financial services, financial crime, regulatory compliance, risk management, or related advisory environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in AML, sanctions, fraud, transaction monitoring, model risk management, or broader financial crime compliance programs.
• Experience with financial crime technology platforms such as NICE Actimize, FIS/PRIME, Oracle Mantas, Fircosoft, FCRM, or similar solutions.
• Direct experience selling AI Agentic, SaaS based compliance platforms into financial institutions.

Executive Level Network

• Established and active network of C-suite and senior executive contacts within the financial crime and compliance space.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage professional relationships to generate and close new business opportunities.
• Proven history of securing complex consulting or technology engagements within financial institutions.

Business Development Performance

• Documented track record of achieving or exceeding revenue targets.
• Experience independently building and managing a strategic sales pipeline.
• Demonstrated success negotiating executive-level service agreements.
• Strong consultative selling capability with credibility at the executive and board level.

Professional Competencies

• Executive presence and strong communication skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with accountability for measurable results.
• Ability to operate independently in a growth-oriented environment.
• High professional integrity and strong relationship management skills.
• Strong organizational and strategic planning capabilities.
• Willingness to travel up to 50 percent.

The above list provides a general summary of the minimum qualifications for this position. Meeting this minimum level of standard does not automatically qualify an individual for this position; all candidates will be evaluated based on these minimum standards as well as other criteria relevant to the position, at Cygnus Compliance Consulting sole discretion.

 Compensation & Benefits

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience and performance. The package will include:

• Base salary
• Performance-based commission structure
• Potential discretionary bonus
• Comprehensive employee benefits package
• Employee Stock Options (ESOPs)

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• 401(K) + Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Hybrid Work Policy

Physical & Working Conditions

• This role primarily involves desk-based work in a moderately quiet office environment.
• Ability to sit for extended periods and occasionally stand or move within the office as needed.
• Ability to visually focus on a computer screen for long periods.
• Occasional travel (approximately 20 – 30% of work time) via standard modes of transportation.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs on occasion during travel, as needed.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Why Join Us?

• Disrupt the Status Quo: We are moving the industry away from rigid, expensive legacy systems (Actimize, Oracle, SAS, FircoSoft) toward a modular, transparent AI future.
• High-Impact Growth: As an early sales hire, you aren’t just a “cog in the machine.” You are the architect of our market expansion, with a direct line to product leadership.
• Ownership & Equity: We value the “Founder Mindset.” This role includes a significant ESOP allocation, ensuring you share in the financial success of the company you help build.
• Modern Tech Stack: Sell a product that actually works. OCS is Azure-native, powered by our AI assistant Delphi, and designed for the speed of modern international banking.