Director, Financial Crime Analytics and Model Validation (Toronto)
Sun Life Financial
You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues – experts in their fields – who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients – who are at the heart of everything we do.
About the role The Director, Financial Crime (FC) Analytics & Model Validation is an enterprise leader responsible for the strategy, governance, and independent validation of financial crime models (Name Screening, Transaction Monitoring, Client Risk Rating). The role ensures models are risk‑based, effective, and audit‑defensible, aligned with regulatory expectations (e.g., OSFI, FINTRAC, OFAC/OFSI) and the firm’s risk appetite. You will partner across Compliance, Technology, Data Science, and Model Risk to enhance detection effectiveness, regulatory defensibility, and operational efficiency.
What will you do? Model Validation & Governance Own the enterprise model governance framework for FC detection models
Lead independent validation across NS, TM, and CRR models
Assess conceptual soundness, data integrity, and model assumptions
Execute validation techniques (back‑testing, sensitivity, benchmarking)
Evaluate key performance metrics (e.g., false positives, alert conversion)
Ensure alignment with global regulatory standards and model risk principles
Produce explicit, defensible validation reports for senior management and regulators Model Tuning & Performance Monitoring Lead ongoing model calibration to reflect evolving financial crime risks
Optimize thresholds to balance detection effectiveness and efficiency
Establish model performance monitoring frameworks and KPIs/KRIs
Identify model drift, data issues, and emerging risk typologies
Recommend model enhancements, recalibration, or redevelopment
Maintain accurate model inventory and documentation Data & Analytics Oversight Oversee data sourcing, lineage, and controls supporting FC models
Define and enforce data quality standards (accuracy, completeness, timeliness)
Leverage analytics to identify model gaps and emerging risks
Ensure end‑to‑end traceability from data to model outputs
Promote advanced analytics (AI/ML) with strong explainability standards
Support adoption of model interpretability tools where appropriate Regulatory & Audit Engagement Act as primary lead for regulatory and audit interactions on FC models
Provide subject matter expertise on model validation practices
Support regulatory exams and remediation initiatives
Ensure findings are documented, prioritised, and tracked to closure Leadership & Strategy Define and evolve the FC model validation strategy and governance framework
Lead the roadmap for analytics and model validation capabilities
Present recommendations to executive governance forums (e.g., Model Committees)
Balance detection, operational impact, and regulatory expectations in decisions
Drive enterprise alignment across regions and stakeholders
Promote a culture of independence, challenge, and continuous improvement What do you need to succeed?10+ years in financial crime analytics, model validation, or model risk
Expertise across TM, sanctions screening, and risk scoring models
Advanced knowledge of statistical techniques, model validation methodologies, and performance metrics
Deep understanding of regulatory expectations and audit defensibility
5+ years of hands‑on experience with screening and transaction monitoring systems (e.g., Actimize, NetReveal, Firco)
Proficiency in analytics tools (Python, R, SQL, SAS)
Strong data governance and data quality knowledge
Proven ability to communicate complex models to executives and regulators
Strong judgment, stakeholder management, and influencing skills
Preferred Skills Experience in large, global financial institutions
Advanced degree in a quantitative discipline
Unique Requirements Occasionally required to attend meetings before or after core business hours to connect with global business partners
This role requires Reliability Status Clearance, including a law enforcement inquiry, credit check, and a review of residence or travel outside Canada for six consecutive months in the last five years
What’s in it for you? Hybrid work environment
A friendly, collaborative, and inclusive culture
20 vacation days per year
Flexible benefits from the day you join to support you and your family
Pension, stock and savings programs to help build and enhance your future financial security
The opportunity to move along a variety of career paths with remarkable networking potential
Access to our Global Learning Centre, available 24/7 for your learning needs
Wellness programs that support mental, physical and financial health
Recent Awards Best Workplace in Canada 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 by Great Place to Work® Canada
Best Workplace for Hybrid Work 2022
Best Workplace for Professional Development 2022
Best Places to Work by Glassdoor 2021 & 2023
Salary Range: 110,000 – 180,000
Job Category: Compliance
Posting End Date: 05/07/2026
Diversity & Inclusion Diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values. A diverse workforce brings wide perspectives and creative ideas that benefit our Clients, communities and colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.
Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those requiring the job posting in an alternative format, may email a request to View email address on ca.talent.com.
We may use artificial intelligence to support candidate sourcing, screening, interview scheduling. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Vacancy posted more than 2 months ago
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