Manager, AML/ATF Operations

Toronto Corporate Office
3280 Bloor St W
(Centre Tower, 7th Floor)
Etobicoke, ON M8X 2X3, CAN

Toronto Corporate Office
3280 Bloor St W
(Centre Tower, 7th Floor)
Etobicoke, ON M8X 2X3, CAN

At Meridian Credit Union, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that amplifies and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees and the communities we serve. We believe that diversity drives innovation and are dedicated to building a team that reflects a multitude of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Anti-Money Laundering Officer, this role is responsible for leading and supporting the activities of the AML & ATF Compliance Team. This role will lead and manage the day-to-day operational activities of the AML & ATF Compliance Program relative to money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessments, prescribed regulatory reporting, and case management and investigations.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Manage and lead the team to effectively prioritize work in an environment that is fast paced, highly time sensitive, and has the potential for monetary loss and/or reputational risk.
  • Provides leadership, counsel and mentorship to direct reports.
  • Leads effective performance management processes, employee development plans, succession planning, and coaching strategies for direct reports.
• Engage in open, honest, and respectful discussion with internal stakeholders as required, to ensure identified compliance issues are sufficiently understood and addressed.
• Function as a proactive business partner with the ability to build win/win relationships founded on mutual trust and respect.This will be demonstrated through the identification of value-add solutions for a variety of business challenges.
• Provide direct operational leadership of the day-to-day operations of Meridian’s compliance regime including:
  • Monitoring to ensure that all prescribed reporting is prepared and issued within the regulatory timelines and that they include the necessary content;
  • Providing coaching and guidance to employees in the conduct of money laundering/terrorist financing case investigations and reporting;
  • Reviewing documentation for case investigations prepared by employees to ensure appropriate depth, analysis and reasonability of the conclusions reached;
  • Monitoring workload to ensure that intake is balanced among employees and taking appropriate action to manage the volume of work.
• Identify issues and risks and recommend actions that mitigate money laundering or terrorist financing risk while balancing the needs of the business.
• Support the CAMLO and Deputy CAMLO in their preparation of governance reports for executive management and/or the Board of Directors and its Committees as required.

AML/ATF Compliance

• Support Meridian’s CAMLO and Deputy CAMLO in their overarching responsibility for Meridian’s compliance by:
  • immediately bringing forward matters of non-compliance and recommending appropriate actions to remediate;
  • communicating with FINTRAC, as required;
  • developing, enhancing and applying AML/ATF policies and procedures to provide a solid foundation for compliance in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment;
  • disseminating changes to AML/ATF policies and procedures throughout the organization or clarifying the existing ones when necessary.
• Oversee reporting activities for suspicious transactions, terrorist financing and prescribed transactions (large cash and electronic funds transfer transactions).
• Maintain accountability for operationalizing Meridian’s risk based approach (including the assessment of the risks associated with Meridian’s products/services/delivery channels/Members, the identification of Meridian’s high risk areas/Members and the mitigation/monitoring of these risks).
• Support the CAMLO and Deputy CAMLO in their preparation for FINTRAC compliance examinations or bi-annual internal compliance reviews and the development of appropriate responses to findings and related recommendations.
• Provide support to the Deputy CAMLO in the maintenance of appropriate AML/ATF training programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

Knowledge

• Very strong understanding of money laundering and terrorist financing methods, typologies, and risks.
• Strong understanding of the Canadian AML/ATF regulatory environment.
• Understanding of the Privacy Act and criminal law.
• Thorough understanding is required of financial products, services and operational policies and delivery systems, including organizational structure and risk management methodologies.
• Thorough practical knowledge is required of MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).Familiarity with data manipulation tools is ideal.
• Designations such as CAMS or CFCS, or enrolment in them, would be considered an asset.

Experience

• 5-7 years’ experience in the financial services industry.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience within Anti-Money Laundering/Anti-Terrorist Financing Compliance.
• Minimum of 3 years leadership experience.

Skills

• A proven ability to:
  • manage multiple assignments and competing priorities; and
  • stand firm on difficult issues.
  • Commitment to the organization by actively supporting the values and demonstrating alignment with the goals of the organization.

Problem Solving

• Develop solutions to conventional and unconventional AML/ATF issues.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills are required to identify deficiencies in compliance procedures and policies and develop recommendations for solutions.
• Perform investigations and formulate conclusions in demanding and less familiar situations, using precedent and own acquired knowledge.

Communication

• Highly developed communication and strategic influencing skills are required when interacting with internal partners and other stakeholders, including senior management.
• Requires tact and diplomacy to discuss compliance issues with internal partners (Branch, CBC or Operations), external partners (government agencies, law enforcement, etc) and internal auditors/regulators.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with a proven ability to:
  • clearly articulate observations/recommendations in an organized and understandable format for the target reader;
  • prepare and write reports including detailed recommendations;
  • prepare policy & procedures; and
  • prepare and make presentations on AML/ATF compliance to internal partners and tailor messages to suit the level of audience.

Meridian has a remote work policy that allows flexibility for employees to work remotely but also requires regular time in the office for purposeful meetings to collaborate, innovate and build effective relationships with your team, your colleagues and your leader which is very important to us.

What's in it for you?

• We have an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages creativity, curiosity, and celebrates success
• We provide you with the tools and technology needed to delight your candidates and clients
• You'll get to work with and learn from diverse industry leaders, who have hailed from top organizations around the world
• Hybrid work arrangements with in-person office time to collaborate, innovate and build relationships with your colleagues
• This isn't your typical "corporate" job. We work hard and we have fun

Who we are:

Meridian is Ontario’s largest credit union, and second largest in Canada, helping to grow the lives of our more than 360,000 Members. Meridian has more than 75 years of banking history and is 100% owned by its members. With 89 retail branches and 15 Business Banking Centers across Ontario and $ 30B in assets under management, Meridian offers a full range of financial products and services to its retail, business banking and wealth members. With over 2000 employees and corporate offices located in Toronto and St. Catharines, Meridian has a track record of creating and delivering innovative new offerings and is committed to investing in the communities that we serve. Our plan is tobuild on our momentum as we deliver on our purpose - helping our members achieve their best life.

Meridian committed to promoting an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. We are dedicated to employing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities and Members in which we live and serve.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

Please note that due to the volume of applications, only those under consideration will be contacted for an interview.

Thank you for your interest in Meridian Credit Union.