Title:  Lead Investigator, FIU

Requisition ID: 270307 

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

Supports Management supervision of team(s) within the Canadian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), or the SIU Projects team (SIUP) to ensure the delivery of clearly reasoned findings and actions associated with FIU/SIU/SIUP investigations, along with the timely disposition of such investigations.

Plans, co-ordinates, and investigates potential money laundering (ML), terrorist financing (TF), and/or other matters related to FIU/SIU/SIUP transaction monitoring cases referred by internal team members, and/or other internal or external sources.

Contributes to the overall success of the FIU by both supporting and conducting time-sensitive transaction monitoring investigations intended to effectively mitigate risk and address all relevant regulatory requirements. Ensures 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 FIU/SIU/SIUP, 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 FIU/SIU/SIUP investigations, thereby mitigating potential financial, regulatory, reputational, sanctions, and legal risk to the Bank.

Is this role right for you? In this role, you will: 

• Management Support
  • Supports FIU/SIU/SIUP Management duties, including managing Investigators, as appropriate (e.g., due to business needs, initiatives, etc.).
  • Prioritizes and manages investigations conducted by the FIU/SIU/SIUP, including monitoring performance and meeting established benchmarks.
  • Reviews, approves, and prepares investigative reports, along with related documents.
  • Provides mentoring, coaching, and feedback, and recommends actions and best practices regarding case investigations, as appropriate. When required, manages resources required to complete investigations.
  • Monitors the team’s timely reporting of suspicious transaction reporting (STR) and other required ML/TF filings to the proper regulatory authority, in accordance with regulations.
  • Identifies and suggests ML/TF awareness training needs to discuss trends and changes in AML typologies.

• Investigations
  • Performs and documents FIU/SIU/SIUP ML/TF investigations, including clearly reasoned findings, along with maintaining supporting information, in accordance with Enterprise AML and internal policies and procedures.
  • Performs increased risk and/or complex investigations, and provides both recommendations and reports, as appropriate, on investigative trends and outcomes.
  • Investigates Client records, activities, and account information to determine whether unusual activity may indicate Reasonable Grounds to Suspect (RGS).
  • Identifies and investigates high-risk Clients, including, but not limited to, potential politically exposed persons (PEPs)/politically exposed foreign persons (PEFPs), and/or Sanctions, and refers, as appropriate, to internal partners (e.g., EDDU, Global Sanctions, etc.).
  • Prepares and delivers investigative results to the appropriate staff, including identification of trends and areas of improvement.
  • Identifies and properly reports RGS within the regulatory reporting requirements and timelines.
  • Recommends risk mitigation actions and next steps at the conclusion of FIU/ SIU/SIUP investigations.
  • Apprises and advises senior personnel regarding ongoing investigations and findings.
  • Maintains up-to-date knowledge and skill sets relevant for ML/TF, Sanctions, and other regulatory matters to perform case investigations.
  • Identifies challenges and obstacles related to the team’s objectives and escalates them accordingly.
  • Understands how the Bank’s risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in day-to-day activities and decisions.
  • Actively pursues effective and efficient operations of their respective areas, 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.
  • Champions a high-performance environment and contributes to an inclusive work environment.

Do you have the skills that will enable you to succeed in this role?  We’d love to work with you if you have experience with:

• Bachelor’s degree (University Degree) or equivalent (Extensive investigative skills along with 5 years of documented AML or law enforcement experience may substitute for university degree requirements)
• 2+ years of experience in AML and / or risk disciplines, 1 year in a Senior Investigation capacity preferred
• 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 were 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.
• Ability to communicate in French and / or Spanish is an asset.
• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) designation is an asset.
• Exemplary integrity and ethics in all instances.

What's in it for you?

• The opportunity to join a forward-thinking and collaborative team, surrounded by innovative thinkers
• A rewarding career path with diverse opportunities for professional development
• Internal training to support your growth and enhance your skills
• An inclusive working environment that encourages creativity, curiosity, and celebrates success!
• Work in an Ecosystem; a bright, modern space where you’ll have access to group seating, offices, collaboration spaces, a cafeteria with different options daily, a bistro, and more

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.