Director, Global Lead, First Line

Requisition ID:

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

Global Banking and Markets

Global Banking and Markets (GBM) 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

This global leadership role is responsible for overseeing the First Line and AML Testing programs within Global Banking & Markets (GBM), ensuring consistent execution across all jurisdictions. The Director designs and manages comprehensive testing strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of key controls, including those related to AML/ATF and sanctions compliance, in alignment with regulatory requirements and internal standards. Leading a diverse, multi-regional team of testing professionals, the role collaborates closely with business partners, Compliance, and Internal Audit to identify risks, drive continuous improvement, and uphold a robust control environment.

What You'll Do:

• Lead the Global First Line Testing Program for GBM, integrating AML and control testing under a unified strategy with consistent execution and oversight.
• Develop and maintain testing methodologies that encompass both general control assessments and AML-specific processes, ensuring alignment with internal policies and regulatory expectations.
• Manage a global team of testing professionals, including regional leads and AML QA associates, fostering a high-performance, inclusive, and respectful culture.
• Oversee risk-based testing activities, such as KYC QA reviews, control assessments, and trend analyses, ensuring comprehensive coverage across all GBM jurisdictions.
• Maintain a centralized control library and standardized testing scripts to support efficient, scalable testing across business lines.
• Monitor and report on control effectiveness, identifying gaps, tracking remediation efforts, and escalating issues in accordance with global issue management protocols.
• Coordinate training and development initiatives to ensure the team remains current on evolving policies, standards, and regulatory changes.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders across GBM business units, Compliance, Internal Audit, and regional QA teams to ensure transparency, alignment, and continuous improvement.
• Deliver timely, insightful reporting to senior leadership and relevant stakeholders, highlighting testing outcomes, emerging trends, and opportunities for enhancement.
• Champion a strong risk culture, embedding operational excellence, customer focus, and a people-first mindset throughout all testing activities.
• Lead with empathy and integrity, cultivating a respectful and supportive environment where team members feel valued, empowered, and inspired to perform at their best.

What You'll Bring:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in financial services, ideally supported by a Master's degree or equivalent in business, finance, or compliance.
• Familiarity with GBM products and wholesale banking is considered a strong asset.
• Prior experience in audit, testing, or AML functions is preferred.
• Deep understanding of regulatory compliance frameworks, particularly those related to AML/ATF and sanctions.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and leadership capabilities.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and lead global teams with precision and effectiveness.

#LI-Onsite #GBM2025

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. 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.