Senior AML Project Specialist

The Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) Program Team is responsible for the design and execution of Meridian’s AML Compliance Program (the “Program”), comprising of money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanctions evasion-related risk and compliance requirements. 

This role, reporting to the Manager, AML Program, will use their subject matter expertise to provide insights to aid in the development and delivery of an effective and compliant Program, in line with policy, risk appetite, and informed by an understanding of industry best-practices.  The role must demonstrate sound problem-solving, analysis, communication, and critical thinking skills as it will work with, educate, and influence enterprise stakeholders with differing areas of expertise. This role will support the development and implementation of controls, policies and procedures, strategies, scorecards, monitoring and guidance for the Program.

This role will represent the AML Program Team on complex enterprise initiatives and will participate and lead internal team initiatives to develop and enhance the Program.

The ideal candidate blends regulatory knowledge with strong project delivery and process design skills, translating requirements into effective and auditable program capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

AML Program

• Identify enhancements to detection systems and strategies, coordinate implementation with business and technology partners, and perform post-implementation tracking.
• Lead content development and maintenance of appropriate training programs.
• Support as required to execute on the annual plan and achieve department goals and key performance indicators.
• Support preparation for FINTRAC compliance examinations or internal compliance reviews and the development of appropriate responses to findings and related recommendations.
• Lead AML Compliance’s Regulatory Compliance Management (“RCM”) and Risk and Control Self-Assessment (“RCSA”) programs, supporting issues management and corrective action plans.
• Lead the maintenance of Meridian’s evergreen AML Issues Management Program.
• Lead preparation of materials for management and governance reporting and regulatory exams.
• Provide consultation services to enterprise partners to respond to, or proactively identify, opportunities to enhance controls.
• Interpret complex regulations and regulatory guidance and translate into functional program requirements.
• Participate in industry working groups (e.g. Canadian Credit Union Association, Canadian Bank Association, etc.).
• Work with vendors and internal partners to support the implementation of new tools and systems, including data requirements and mapping, documenting business requirements,
• Gather, assess, research, analyze, and document business requirements needed for system modifications, enhancements, and implementations. Collaborate on solution design and support user acceptance testing (“UAT”) and operational readiness.
• Together with team members, identify and assess technological solutions to advance the program; determine best mix of internal development, interfacing applications, and third-party vendor solutions to meet business objectives.
• Act as the owner of AML Compliance’s vendor relationships; manage, evaluate, and hold vendors accountable to meet Meridian’s requirements and expectations.

Enterprise Projects

• Represent the Program on complex enterprise initiatives, acting as the key point of contact across enterprise projects.
• Make decisions autonomously and handle questions from project stakeholders with minimal direction.
• Support the development and testing of business requirements within projects so that AML risks and requirements are adequately met.
• Provide research and insight into industry AML compliance practices, document them, and present key findings to stakeholders.
• Identify areas of money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanctions evasion risk within projects and initiatives, and work with business owners to ensure adequate controls are in place.
• Communicate project status, developments, and issues with leaders proactively.
• Drive organizational alignment towards sound policy and process development.
• Identify system enhancements to improve AML compliance and take the lead to implement those enhancements.
• Ensure that appropriate AML compliance controls and infrastructure are present within any industry tools or outside vendors that are engaged through these initiatives.
• Educate and achieve buy-in from stakeholders through sound analysis and effective and clear
• Enhance AML risk rating, event generation, and other controls as appropriate where new initiatives result in an altered risk assessment (Member, Products, Services, Delivery Channels, Geographic, Transactional).

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities 

• Strong understanding of money laundering risks, detection, and mitigation strategies, gained through a combination of experience, self-directed research to keep up with industry trends, and ongoing formal professional development.
• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with data manipulation software such as SQL or SAS.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills, engaging with a variety of audiences, with well-constructed arguments. Comfort presenting to a broad audience of stakeholders, and confident to defend positions in discussion. Able to formulate and present the story depending on the audience.
• Able to draft analysis reports with clarity and present information in an easy-to-understand manner.
• A proven ability to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple simultaneous assignments and competing priorities within time constraints.
• Ability to see the big picture and foresee future requirements and risks. Ability to identify impacts that decisions, requirements, and strategies on current initiatives will have on existing operational needs, and future projects and initiatives.
• A strong team player who can lead initiatives and programs and the drive to develop solid working relationships across various lines of business and channel owners.
• Support growth and development of other team members through informal coaching and guidance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable learning from a variety of sources including specifications and technical documents.
• Ability to identify information required to generate a position and locate the appropriate information to drive decision making.
• Strong understanding of the requirements of FINTRAC’s guidelines, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (“PCMLTFA) and its associated Regulations.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft’s Office Suite.
• Coordination of complex requirements with various stakeholders, including internal and external partners, and those with more senior positions.
• Familiarity with Microsoft’s Power Apps.
• Leverage data analytics and system insights to identify root causes of compliance deficiencies and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop innovative solutions to problem-solve in both internal and external projects. Foster a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation within the AFC team.

Education, Designation, Training, and Experience

• Relevant Post-Secondary education or equivalent experience.
• CAMS, CFE, CFCS or other relevant designations (or in progress)
• Project management experience is an asset.
• Proficiency with process mapping (e.g. Visio), requirements documentation, test planning/UAT
• Proficiency with data-related tools (e.g., SQL) is an asset.
• Experience working with and/or implementing artificial intelligence-based tools is an asset.