Senior Compliance Officer, Sanctions

Join a Challenger

Being a traditional bank just isn’t our thing. We are big believers in innovating the banking experience because we believe Canadians deserve better options, and we challenge ourselves and our teams to creatively transform what’s possible in banking. Our team is made up of inquisitive and agile minds that find smarter ways of doing things. If you’re not afraid of taking on big challenges and redefining the future, you belong with us. You’ll get to work with people who will encourage you to reach new heights. We like to keep things fun, ask questions and learn together.

We are a big (and growing!) family. Overall we serve more than 670,000 people across Canada through Equitable Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank™, and have been around for more than 50 years. Equitable Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary, Concentra Bank, supports credit unions across Canada that serve more than six million members. Together we have over $125 billion in combined assets under management and administration, with a clear mandate to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people's lives. Our customers have named our EQ Bank digital platform (eqbank.ca) one of the top banks in Canada on the Forbes World's Best Banks list since 2021. 

The Work

The Senior Compliance Officer, Sanctions is responsible for ensuring the Bank’s compliance with international and local sanctions regulations, such as those set by Global Affairs Canada, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), and other relevant regulatory bodies. This role involves investigating potential sanctions violations, advising business units on sanctions-related risks, conducting sanctions screening and sanctions risk assessments, and ensuring that internal policies and procedures align with regulatory requirements. The officer will also play a key role in sanctions-related training, reporting, and interaction with regulatory authorities, where applicable.

The Senior Compliance Officer, Sanctions reports to the Associate Director, AML EDD in managing the Bank’s sanctions risk.

• Supports the Associate Director, AML EDD in the implementation, oversight and management of an effective sanctions program.
• Review high-risk transactions involving sanctioned jurisdictions or entities and provide guidance.
• Analyze and investigate escalated possible matches against sanctions lists.
• Perform sanctions screening on transactions, clients, and counterparties to identify potential compliance risks.
• Provide guidance to Business Units regarding sanctions risks and regulatory expectations.
• Develop and deliver training programs to educate employees on sanctions compliance.
• File relevant reports, such as Sanctions Evasion Reports and Listed Person or Entity Property Reports, to FINTRAC.
• Support the development and enhancement of sanctions compliance frameworks, policies, and procedures.
• Collaborate with various teams and departments to integrate sanctions compliance into all relevant business processes.
• Conduct periodic reviews of the Bank’s sanctions compliance program to identify potential weaknesses or vulnerabilities and develop mitigation plans.
• Manage and support special projects and ad hoc initiatives to enhance the sanctions compliance program.
• Stay up to date with changes in sanctions regulations, emerging trends, and best practices and assess their impact on the Bank’s operations.

• A bachelor’s degree in law, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in the Canadian financial services industry, with a focus on sanctions compliance, financial crime compliance, or regulatory compliance.
• Strong knowledge of Canada and international sanctions frameworks (e.g., OFAC, UN, EU, UK).
• Experience in transaction reviews, sanctions screening, and sanctions risk assessment.
• Familiarity with compliance screening tools such as World-Check.
• Excellent analytical, risk assessment and research skills for the purposes of reaching reasoned and sound conclusions with arguments that support the decision reached.
• Ability to successfully handle multiple competing priorities.
• Detail-oriented with strong time management skills to ensure timely completion of tasks.
• complex information clearly and concisely.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Relevant certifications, such as, Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS) and/or Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) are advantageous.
• Knowledge of French an asset.

What we offer [For full-time permanent roles]

💰 Competitive discretionary bonus 

✨ Market leading RRSP match program

🩺  Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits

📝  Employee Share Purchase Plan

👶🏽 Maternity/Parental top-up while you care for your little one

🏝 Generous vacation policy and personal days 

🖥  Virtual events to connect with your fellow colleagues

🎓  Annual professional development allowance and a comprehensive Career Development program

💛  A fulfilling opportunity to join one of the top FinTechs and help create a new kind of banking experience

The incumbent will be working hybrid and in office time will be spent working from Equitable Bank’s additional office space located at 351 King Street East, Toronto, ON.

Equitable Bank is deeply committed to inclusion. Our organization is stronger and our employees thrive when we honour and celebrate everyone’s diverse experiences and perspectives. In tandem with that commitment, we support and encourage our staff to grow not just in their career path, but personally as well. 

We commit to providing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment for all applicants. Please let us know of any accommodations needed so that you can bring your best self to the application process and beyond. All candidates considered for hire must successfully pass a criminal background check and credit check to qualify for hire. While we appreciate your interest in applying, an Equitable recruiter will only contact leading candidates whose skills and qualifications closely match the requirements of the position.

We can’t wait to get to know you!