Title:  Associate Director, Global AML & First Line Testing - Toronto

Requisition ID: 243994

Join a purpose driven winning team, committed to results, in an inclusive and high-performing culture.

Global Banking and Markets  is a leading Canadian Capital Markets and Investment Banking business with a growing platform in the US and Latin America, operating globally for over 100 years. Scotiabank’s strong U.S. presence provides our clients an important bridge to this key global market for trade and investment flows across the Americas and the world. 

Global Banking & Markets provides a full range of investment banking, credit and risk management products and services relevant to the financing and strategic development needs of our clients. Our products include debt and equity financing, mergers & acquisitions, corporate banking, institutional equity sales, trading and research, fixed income products, derivatives, energy, foreign exchange and precious & metals. We also cross-sell the full range of wholesale products and services offered by the Scotiabank Group.  

Be part of an innovative, Global Capital Markets and Investment Banking business with a unique geographic footprint that puts capital to work for our clients across industries!  We work together to drive ambition for every future! 

Purpose
As part of the Business Risk Management Department, you will contribute to the overall success of Global Banking and Markets (GBM) in ensuring specific individual goals, plans, initiatives are executed and delivered in support of the team’s business strategies and objectives, and conducted in compliance with governing regulations, internal policies, and procedures.

The Associate Director, Global AML & First Line Testing is a critical role that will lead a team of testing professionals in the day-to-day execution of GBM First Line Testing and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) / Anti-Terrorist Financing (ATF) Testing programs. This includes designing and performing reviews to assess the effectiveness of controls related to AML and other regulatory risks. The position is based in Canada and will also support other jurisdictions as required.

What You'll Do:

• Execute and oversee AML and First Line Testing reviews, assessing the effectiveness of controls within the First Line of Defence, including those designed to mitigate AML and financial crime risks.
• Design and implement risk-based testing that aligns with regulatory requirements (e.g., KYC, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening), internal policies, and industry best practices.
• Drive program enhancements, including automation opportunities and alignment with global standards, to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Lead and develop a team of testing professionals, providing guidance on methodologies for scoping, fieldwork, and reporting phases.
• Analyze and report findings, preparing clear, actionable recommendations for senior leadership and ensuring timely remediation of identified issues.
• Collaborate with business units to address root causes of control deficiencies and strengthen overall risk management practices.
• Coordinate responses to internal audits, regulatory examinations, and other initiatives, ensuring transparency and timely delivery.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation, including detailed workpapers and centralized issue tracking, in compliance with internal standards and regulatory expectations.
• Monitor and report on issue remediation, ensuring corrective actions are completed within established timelines and escalating delays as needed.
• Embed risk culture and compliance awareness in day-to-day activities, reinforcing the Bank’s risk appetite and operational standards.
• Foster a high-performance, inclusive team environment, leveraging coaching and development to build capability and engagement.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, law, or equivalent work experience
• A minimum of 8 years of compliance, audit, or regulatory exam support experience.
• Familiarity with GBM products and wholesale banking is considered a strong asset
• Deep understanding of regulatory compliance frameworks, particularly those related to AML/ATF and sanctions.
• This understanding must be supplemented with a well-developed ability to: 
  • Manage multiple reviews and projects and meet tight deadlines.
  • Identify issues and communicate recommendations to provide senior management with a sound basis on which informed decisions can be made
  • Interact with impacted personnel effectively, providing them with the information they require completely, promptly, and accurately and in a manner that will enable them to accomplish their business goals and still protect the Firm.
• Strong analytical, investigative, reporting, and planning skills
• Outstanding written and spoken communication abilities
• Excellent teamwork, and interpersonal skills

Work Arrangement: 
This position is currently an onsite role, with the expectation that you will work at least 4 days a week in the office. Please note that this is subject to change based on the needs of the business.

Interested?

If your experience is closely related but doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we do encourage you to apply - you might be the right candidate for this or other roles at Scotiabank!  
 

At Scotiabank, every employee is empowered to reach their fullest potential, respected for who they are and, embraced for their differences. That’s why we work to grow and diversify talent and engage employees in a performance-oriented culture. 

What's in it for you?

Scotiabank wants you to be able to bring your best self to work – and life, every day. With a focus on holistic well-being, our many flexible benefit programs are designed to help support your unique family, financial, physical, mental, and social health needs. 

Location(s):  Canada : Ontario : Toronto 

Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: "for every future", we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets.  

At Scotiabank, we value the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the Bank, and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible interview site, alternate format documents, ASL Interpreter, or Assistive Technology) during the recruitment and selection process, please let our Recruitment team know. If you require technical assistance, please click here. Candidates must apply directly online to be considered for this role. We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at Scotiabank; however, only those candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.