Lead Investigator, AML Investigations Unit (Transaction Monitoring Case Investigations)

Scotiabank • Mississauga, ON

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Investigator supports Management supervision of team(s) within the Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit to ensure the delivery of clearly reasoned findings and actions associated with AMLI investigations, along with the timely disposition of such investigations. Plans, coordinates, and investigates potential money laundering (ML), terrorist financing (TF), and/or other matters related to AMLI transaction monitoring cases referred by internal team members and/or other internal or external sources. This role contributes to the overall success of the AMLI by both supporting and conducting time-sensitive transaction monitoring investigations intended to effectively mitigate risk and address all relevant regulatory requirements, ensuring all activities conducted comply with governing regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures. Supports and executes the operational processes and maintains quality performance for the AMLI, including case investigations and proper regulatory reporting, such as suspicious transaction reporting. Consistently delivers clearly reasoned, rational, and timely outcomes, findings, and actions associated with AMLI investigations, thereby mitigating potential financial, regulatory, reputational, sanctions, and legal risk to the Bank.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (University Degree) or equivalent, with a minimum of 2 years of experience in AML and/or risk disciplines and 1 year in a Senior Investigator capacity. Extensive investigative skills along with 5 years of documented AML or law enforcement experience may substitute for university degree requirements
• Demonstrated expertise in ML/TF investigations.
• Knowledge of local and relevant AML laws and regulations.
• Strong understanding of financial transactions along with and understanding of technology.
• Good investigative skills and demonstrated understanding of complex financial transactions.
• Strong writing and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement as to the materiality of risks identified.
• Proven ability in determining required risk mitigation activities with appropriate consideration to the impact of the business line.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Uses an analytical approach to problem solving, with a focus on managing a team environment coupled with attention to results and a sense of urgency.
• Exemplary integrity and ethics in all instances.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to communicate in French and/or Spanish is an asset.
• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) designation is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Support AMLI Management duties, including managing Investigators, as appropriate (e.g., due to business needs, initiatives, etc.).
• Prioritize and manage investigations conducted by the AMLI, including monitoring performance and meeting established benchmarks.
• Review, approve, and prepare investigative reports, along with related documents.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and feedback, and recommend actions and best practices regarding case investigations, as appropriate.
• When required, manage resources needed to complete investigations.
• Monitor the team’s timely reporting of suspicious transaction reports (STRs) and other required ML/TF filings to the proper regulatory authority, in accordance with regulations.
• Identify and suggest ML/TF awareness training needs to discuss trends and changes in AML typologies.
• Perform and document AMLI ML/TF investigations, including clearly reasoned findings, along with maintaining supporting information, in accordance with Enterprise AML and internal policies and procedures.
• Perform increased-risk and/or complex investigations, and provide both recommendations and reports, as appropriate, on investigative trends and outcomes.
• Investigate client records, activities, and account information to determine whether unusual activity may indicate Reasonable Grounds to Suspect (RGS).
• Identify and investigate high-risk clients, including, but not limited to, potential politically exposed persons (PEPs)/politically exposed foreign persons (PEFPs) and/or sanctions, and refer them, as appropriate, to internal partners (e.g., EDDU, Global Sanctions, etc.).
• Prepare and deliver investigative results to the appropriate staff, including identification of trends and areas for improvement.
• Identify and properly report RGS within the regulatory reporting requirements and timelines.
• Recommend risk mitigation actions and next steps at the conclusion of AMLI investigations.
• Apprise and advise senior personnel regarding ongoing investigations and findings.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and skill sets relevant to ML/TF, sanctions, and other regulatory matters to perform case investigations.
• Identify challenges and obstacles related to the team’s objectives and escalate them accordingly.
• Understand how the Bank’s risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in day-to-day activities and decisions.
• Actively pursue effective and efficient operations of your respective area(s), while ensuring the adequacy, adherence to, and effectiveness of day-to-day business controls to meet obligations with respect to operational risk, regulatory compliance risk, and conduct risk, including but not limited to responsibilities under the Operational Risk Management Framework, Regulatory Compliance Risk Management Framework, AML/ATF Global Handbook, and the Guidelines for Business Conduct.
• Champion a high-performance environment and contribute to an inclusive work environment.

Benefits

• A competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits plan.
• The opportunity to join a forward-thinking organization where you are surrounded by a collaborative team of innovative thinkers.
• An organization committed to making a difference in our communities - for you and for our customers.
• You can expect to be recognized and rewarded for high-performance; you will be supported by leadership through meaningful development conversations that enable faster advancement and internal training to support your growth and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior