About the roleTidal is seeking a President and Head of Distribution Services to lead Tidal ETF Distributors LLC ("TED"). TED is being established to serve as the statutory underwriter and distributor, primarily for ETFs as well as to perform FINRA Rule 2210 marketing compliance review in-house and support distribution capabilities across the Tidal platform.
This leader will own TED from regulatory approval through launch and scale, including the phased transition of statutory distribution and marketing compliance from an external provider, development of the operating model and team, and ownership of the entity's P&L. The role will partner closely with Tidal's executive leadership, outside counsel, fund boards, service providers, and cross-functional teams to build a controlled, client-focused operation that can grow with the business.
This is a build role, not a maintenance role. The right person will bring sound regulatory judgment, strong commercial instincts, and a track record of translating complex plans into disciplined execution. They will be comfortable working hands-on in a lean environment, creating clarity across stakeholders, and taking full accountability for results.
What you'll doLaunch and Lead Tidal ETF Distributors- Own the regulatory launch. Guide TED's FINRA New Membership Application through approval and ensure the entity is operationally, financially, and legally prepared to begin serving clients.
- Establish a strong operating foundation. Build the governance, controls, reporting, books and records, insurance coverage, and decision-making structure required for a newly formed broker-dealer.
- Provide registered leadership. Serve as, or directly oversee, a FINRA registered principal for the entity and maintain a high standard of regulatory readiness as TED grows.
Lead the Distribution Transition- Manage the transition end to end. Lead the phased, trust-by-trust transition of statutory distribution from the incumbent provider, including contractual notice requirements, fund board approvals, client communications, transitioning authorized participant relationships and implementation sequencing.
- Create clarity across stakeholders. Partner with fund boards, outside counsel, Client Success, Fund Operations, and other internal teams so responsibilities, timing, risks, and decisions remain visible throughout the transition.
- Establish distribution agreements. Develop and maintain the Authorized Participant agreements and related infrastructure, including the approval of the AP daily activity, that support TED's statutory distribution responsibilities.
Build the Marketing Compliance Capability- Own the review function. Lead the transition and ongoing operation of FINRA Rule 2210 marketing compliance review, including the review team, compliance technology platform, quality standards, and turnaround expectations.
- Plan ahead for capacity. Use submission volume, utilization, quality, and service data to anticipate staffing and workflow needs before they affect clients or create regulatory risk.
Own the Business and Its Economics- Lead pricing and financial performance. Set the pricing approach for distribution services and own TED's P&L, including revenue, cost management, net capital compliance, forecasting, and regular reporting to the CFO and executive leadership.
- Deliver sustainable value. Ensure the distribution and marketing compliance businesses achieve their intended economics while maintaining strong service, controls, and client relationships.
- Evaluate future growth opportunities. Assess whether and when TED should offer statutory distribution, marketing compliance or other distribution services to external ETF issuers, grounding recommendations in market demand, operational readiness, risk, and economics.
Build the Team and Partnerships- Develop the organization. Create and execute TED's staffing plan, including hiring and developing registered leadership and other capabilities as the business scales.
- Lead outsourced partners with accountability. Manage the Chief Compliance Officer, Financial and Operations Principal, and other critical relationships, with clear expectations, reporting, and succession planning.
- Operate as one Tidal. Work across legal, compliance, finance, fund operations, technology, relationship management, and executive leadership to solve issues quickly, communicate clearly, and keep client and business outcomes at the center
Qualifications- 15 or more years of experience in broker-dealer operations, fund distribution, asset management, or a closely related area, including direct experience with FINRA-registered entities.
- Direct experience with the statutory underwriter or distributor function for registered investment companies, including ETFs or mutual funds, or experience leading a comparable distribution or compliance service provider; experience managing FINRA membership applications or examinations is required.
- Hold the requisite licenses, including SIE + Series 7 + Series 24 + Series 63; or SIE + Series 6 + Series 26 + Series 63
- Demonstrated success building, launching, or scaling a regulated financial-services entity or function, with supervisory and principal registrations held or readily obtainable.
- Track record leading complex, multi-stakeholder transitions involving contractual notice periods, fund board or governance approvals, and client communications.
- Experience owning a business vertical P&L and making pricing, investment, staffing, and vendor decisions tied to business performance.
- Strong working knowledge of broker-dealer controls, net capital requirements, compliance governance, and books and records obligations.
- Ability to explain regulatory, financial, and operational complexity clearly to fund boards, executives, clients, and cross-functional partners.
Preferred Qualifications- Prior experience with a white-label ETF platform, ETF servicing provider, fund administrator, or similar organization.
- Experience managing compliance functions, including Chief Compliance Officer or Financial and Operations Principal relationships, and compliance technology vendors.
- Experience bringing a previously outsourced regulated service or operating function in-house.
- Additional supervisory and principal securities licensing history, such as Series 27 or 28, or equivalent registrations.
