Director, Compliance

Sagard•Montreal, QC

About The Position

Sagard is seeking a Director, Compliance to help build and lead compliance capabilities at a global, multi-strategy alternative asset management firm. The role is part of Sagard Compliance, an integrated global team responsible for compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks across the jurisdictions in which Sagard operates. It offers functional ownership from Day 1, substantial responsibility for compliance programs of Sagard entities registered in Canada, the United States and internationally, and direct access to executive leadership. The position also supports product formation, investment activity, and M&A processes. For a candidate demonstrating Sagard’s values, it offers a pathway to leadership on the Compliance team and the potential to become Chief Compliance Officer for a business line or registrant over time. The Director will help lead compliance programs for certain Sagard affiliates, including SEC-registered investment advisers and Canadian registrants. The role covers compliance policies and reviews, regulatory filings and examinations, new products and transactions, investment and investor-related matters, cross-border activities, and compliance training. The successful candidate will combine technical regulatory expertise and practical judgment, operate effectively amid competing demands, and support a sophisticated international private-markets business. Sagard is building an AI-enabled legal and compliance function, and the role will help develop processes and systems using technology and automation. Sagard is headquartered in Canada and has offices in Canada, the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Travel may be required. For positions in Québec, spoken and written proficiency in French and English is mandatory.

Requirements

7–12 years of relevant regulatory and compliance experience.
Significant experience with OSC/AMF-registered portfolio managers or investment fund managers and/or SEC-registered investment advisers managing U.S. private funds, alternative investment strategies, or private wealth vehicles operating under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Strong knowledge of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and SEC rules applicable to private fund advisers.
Demonstrated experience managing SEC examinations and regulatory inquiries.
Experience with international affiliates, global advisory structures, or cross-border investment management platforms.
Strong understanding of conflicts management, allocation policies, marketing review, valuation oversight, fee and expense practices, and investor reporting controls.
Experience preparing compliance testing, annual reviews, and regulatory filings.
Deep technical knowledge of NI 31-103 and/or SEC RIA compliance requirements.
Ability to balance regulatory rigor with commercial practicality and exercise practical, business-oriented judgment and strong ethical standards.
Ability to identify, prioritize, and escalate compliance risks.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Comfort interacting with senior executives, investment professionals, regulators, outside counsel, parent-company stakeholders, and institutional investors.
Ability to operate independently while collaborating across functions and jurisdictions.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Travel may be required.
For positions in Québec, proficiency in spoken and written French and English is mandatory.
Genuine enthusiasm for Sagard’s growth and comfort with competing demands and organizational change.

Nice To Haves

In-house experience at a global multi-strategy alternative asset manager and/or experience at a top-tier law firm.
Experience supporting a broad range of investment strategies and asset classes, such as venture capital, private equity, private credit, real estate, fund-of-funds, secondary funds, co-investments, separately managed accounts, or other alternative strategies.
Familiarity with international regulatory regimes affecting private fund marketing and advisory activities.
Hands-on use of AI and automation tools, with a considered perspective on their limitations and how technology can scale a compliance function; willingness to learn AI tools such as Harvey, ChatGPT, and Claude.
Technological fluency and ability to build processes and systems using AI tools.
Experience operating in a sophisticated private-markets environment with an international presence.

Responsibilities

Help lead compliance programs for certain Sagard affiliates registered as SEC investment advisers and/or as Canadian portfolio managers, investment fund managers, and exempt market dealers.
Maintain and enhance the compliance manual, code of ethics, supervisory procedures, and related policies.
Lead annual compliance reviews and prepare reports for senior management, governing bodies, and parent-company legal and compliance stakeholders.
Lead or support regulatory and compliance work for new product development, M&A transactions and integration, and portfolio transactions.
Monitor regulatory developments affecting SEC-registered investment advisers, private funds, private credit, real estate, private equity, fund-of-funds, co-investments, secondaries, and cross-border advisory activities.
Oversee RAQ, Investment Fund Survey, Form ADV, Form PF, Form D, and other regulatory filings.
Support compliance with private fund rules, marketing rules, custody requirements, pay-to-play and political contribution rules, and books-and-records obligations.
Review investor communications, marketing materials, DDQs, RFPs, pitchbooks, performance presentations, and related external materials escalated to compliance after AI-assisted and external review.
Advise on conflicts of interest, allocation of investment opportunities, fees and expenses, valuation, side letters, material nonpublic information, personal trading, gifts and entertainment, outside business activities, and political contributions.
Provide compliance oversight across venture capital, private equity fund-of-funds, private credit, real estate, secondaries, co-investments, separately managed accounts, and other alternative investment strategies.
Support diligence and monitoring involving underlying managers, borrowers, sponsors, operating partners, joint venture partners, LPAC participation, side letters, MFN provisions, and investor reporting.
Coordinate compliance matters involving international affiliates, cross-border advisory activity, marketing, delegation, information sharing, and intercompany services.
Work with internal counsel, external counsel, and senior management to manage jurisdictional regulatory risks.
Assist with OSC, SEC, and other regulatory examinations, inquiries, correspondence, and remediation of compliance findings.
Help manage relationships with compliance consultants and other service providers.
Assist in developing and delivering compliance training for investment, investor relations, finance, operations, and leadership teams.
Promote a culture of compliance, accountability, and ethical conduct.
Participate in compliance, valuation, conflicts, risk, operating, or governance committees as appropriate.
Help build processes and systems using AI and compliance technology.