Manager, AML Investigations, Financial Intelligence Unit

Join a Challenger

Being a traditional bank just isn’t our thing, so we challenge ourselves to get creative in providing innovative banking solutions for Canadians.

How do we get there? With a talented team of inquisitive and agile challengers that break through the status quo. So, if you’re passionate about redefining the future of banking—while having fun—this could be your next big opportunity.

Our company continues to grow, and today we serve more than 800,000 customers across Canada through Equitable Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank™, and have been around for more than 50 years. Equitable Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary, Concentra Bank, supports credit unions across Canada that serve more than six million members. Together we have over $142 billion in combined assets under management and administration, with a clear mandate to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people's lives. Our customers have named our EQ Bank digital platform (eqbank.ca) one of the top banks in Canada on the Forbes World's Best Banks list since 2021.

The Work

The Manager, Financial Intelligence Unit, plays a leadership role in the AML department while also contributing specific subject matter expertise on Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing (AML/ATF) investigations. This position primarily assists the Associate Director, FIU in the maintenance and leadership of AML Investigations and work with the team members as a mentor. The Manager reports to the Associate Director, FIU to assist in managing investigations, employee performance, training and managing service level agreements. The role requires managing, ongoing coaching and training, and providing feedback on investigations and case assessments to the Investigators. You will determine whether sufficient suspicion exists of money laundering, financing of terrorism or other criminal activities, to justify making the report to FINTRAC. The environment is often fast-paced and requires the effective time management of multiple tasks and projects.

AML/ATF Program

• Supports the Associate Director, FIU in the implementation, oversight, and management of an effective AML/ATF program with respect to investigation and reporting activities.
• Act as a SME to provide specialist advice, guidance, training, and direction to the Investigators on money laundering, financing of terrorism and related issues, to help action case reviews and investigations within defined timelines and help achieve departmental goals.
• Manages the Unusual Transactions Report (UTRs) escalation process and act as second level review for the Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) prior to submission to FINTRAC.
• Directly manage the performance of the investigators within the AML FIU, including supporting of goal and target setting, quality monitoring, career development, and learning and training opportunities.
• Works to ensure adherence to established AML/ATF policies and procedures with respect to investigations and reporting thresholds and standards.
• Seek guidance and assistance when required from the Associate Director and identifies and escalates AML/ATF related issues, trends, and risks when necessary
• Supports initiatives to streamline processes and introduce new efficiencies to AML/ATF related activities by initiating requests and leveraging technology and automation to achieve results.
• Ensures staff are trained on due diligence techniques and provides ongoing training to address gap or new developments in accordance with existing FIU operations.
• Assists with the testing of systems and reports, including playing a supporting role in the implementation of new technology.
• Collaborates with Associate Director, FIU to provide guidance, regulatory interpretation, training and other assistance on appropriate standards and business practices to team members to support the Bank’s AML/ATF activities.
• Depending on capacity, plan, conduct, and complete risk-based investigations for alerts identified from adverse media, name screening, sanctions, terrorism financing, UTRs etc.
• Collaborate with the AML team on various initiatives that may overlap throughout various projects and processes or when support is needed due to shifting priorities.
• Additional accountabilities as required.

Reporting

• Assesses and escalates to Associate Director, FIU key statistics relating to performance, timelines and other key performance indicators.

General

• Contributes to remediation of any audit findings from regulators, AML monitoring and testing activities, or Internal Audit department.
• Provide feedback to a team of Investigators and establishes a two-way working relationship with direct report(s) to solicit their views on the working environment, potential changes affecting their work and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Works collaboratively with members of the AML leadership team.
• Builds and sustains a team that is capable of monitoring ML/TF, delivering and maintaining the performance required for the department, including coaching and the creation and implementation of training and development plans.
• Promotes a positive work environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and synergies.
• Empowers staff with resources and tools to be successful in the role.
• Participates in various internal/external workshops/seminars/conferences to remain current in the AML/ATF landscape (e.g., maintain CAMS, ACFCS, etc. certification).

Let's Talk About You!

• A university degree, preferably in Business, Law, or Accounting.
• Strong AML background, preferably 5+ experience in conducting investigations in Canadian Banking.
• Strong experience providing coaching and feedback.
• CAMS/CFCS is an asset.
• Direct exposure in managing investigations and regulatory reporting.
• Subject matter expertise of FINTRAC reporting.
• Excellent analytical, risk assessment and investigation skills for the purpose of reaching reasoned and sound conclusions with arguments that support the decision reached.
• Strong knowledge of relevant predicate offences.
• Ability to successfully handle multiple competing priorities and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Detail oriented and strong time management skills in order to manage workload and ensure established benchmarks are met.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to gather, assess/evaluate and present complex information in a simple and concise manner.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) including v-lookups, pivot tables, macros, etc.
• Proficient knowledge of SQL, Power BI, and Tableau.
• Proficient knowledge of internet/web navigation and willing to learn new applications as needed.
• Knowledge of French an asset.