Financial Crime Risk Specialist – Sanctions (US)

Work Location: New York, New York, United States of America

About the role

The Financial Crime Risk Specialist – Sanctions (US) sits within the Second Line oversight function, not an operational unit. The Specialist will work closely with sanctions/screening systems and technology partners, requiring an understanding of how technology/systems work and the ability to translate business needs into technical requirements. Strong Excel/data analysis skills and the ability to identify data trends are useful. The successful applicant will be an adaptable, independent problem solver who can learn banking/regulatory concepts quickly while working with a geographically distributed team. Occasional travel to Toronto for team meetings is required.

The role involves developing and maintaining TD’s sanctions compliance programs, including frameworks, methodologies, policies, standards, procedures, awareness, specialized training, monitoring, management reporting, and escalation of sanctions-related issues. The Specialist conducts periodic and event-driven reviews for sanctions risk of customers and transactions, including targeted assessments, and supports management in delivering initiatives related to sanctions risk assessment, regulatory exam preparation, and internal/external audit support.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development of team procedures and governance processes for sanctions compliance and advises stakeholders of changes and enhancements to enterprise sanctions programs and requirements.
• Collaborates with partners (e.g., Compliance, Legal, Risk) to create documentation and reports required by external regulatory bodies and TD internal groups for sanctions compliance.
• Manages research and assessment of sanctions risks and controls, contributing to a specialized team of sanctions compliance professionals.
• Provides governance oversight through management of sanctions policy and training exemption governance and reporting processes to the Senior Executive Team and related sub-committees.
• Prepares summaries, presentations, briefing notes, and other documentation to report on the status of the sanctions compliance program.
• Represents sanctions compliance as a specialist on internal or external committees and enterprise-wide Regulatory Change Management initiatives.
• Delivers subject matter expertise and sanctions compliance advice to business partners.
• Interacts with control functions to ensure effective sanctions oversight.
• Develops and delivers sanctions training programs for applicable employees across the Bank.
• Conducts research, analysis, and assessment of sanctions program activities, using results to draw conclusions, make recommendations, and assess effectiveness.
• Prepares research, analysis, updates tools, and supports training activities specific to sanctions risk assessment.
• Leads the development of processes, procedures, and guidance relevant to sanctions compliance.
• Provides high-quality service and advice to key business (FCRM) partners and monitors progress of initiatives, action plans, or similar activities.
• Protects the interests of the organization by identifying and managing risks and ensuring prompt resolution of escalated non-standard, high-risk issues.
• Leads new or revised product initiatives, advising businesses on FCRM compliance requirements and ensuring proper integration into business projects.
• Participates in FCRM-level projects to facilitate and oversee changes to FCRM processes, systems, or practices.
• Coordinates with FCRM and business compliance partners to ensure consistency in the application of FCRM programs and standards across the enterprise.
• Ensures FCRM programs align with TD corporate philosophy and strategic direction.
• Monitors FCRM industry developments and maintains knowledge of evolving regulatory requirements, assessing potential impacts.
• Proactively identifies key business opportunities, researches and recommends enhancements, and develops strategies to achieve them.
• Leads relationships with business lines/corporate and/or control functions to ensure alignment with enterprise and regulatory requirements.
• Leads or contributes to cross-functional/enterprise initiatives as a subject matter expert, providing guidance for complex situations.
• Complies with applicable internal and external audit and regulatory requirements and supports Audit and Regulatory Reviews with recommendations.
• Maintains a culture of risk management and control, aligned with risk appetite.
• Participates in responding to periodic exams/audits by regulatory bodies and Internal Audit to determine BSA/FCRM compliance.
• Participates fully as a team member, supporting a positive work environment that promotes service, quality, innovation, and teamwork.
• Provides thought leadership and industry knowledge for own area of expertise and participates in knowledge transfer within the team and business unit.
• Shares knowledge of the business, related tools, and techniques.
• Leads or participates in personal performance management and development activities, including cross-training.
• Keeps others informed about project status/progress and relevant day-to-day information.
• Assists others in completing work activities and provides coaching/guidance as appropriate.
• Contributes to a fair, positive, and equitable environment that supports a diverse workforce.
• Acts as a brand champion for the function and the bank, both internally and externally.

Requirements

• Substantial expertise in sanctions compliance, global regulatory frameworks, and knowledge of broader financial crime risk areas.
• Ability to integrate knowledge of the sub-function’s overarching sanctions strategy in developing solutions across multiple functions or operations.
• Interprets internal/external business challenges and evolving sanctions regulations; recommends courses of action and best practices to strengthen controls and mitigate risk.
• Acts as a technical expert and lead, integrating cross-functional understanding within sanctions screening, escalation, and governance.
• Leads cross-functional teams or projects with significant resource requirements, regulatory risk, and complexity, ensuring compliance with global sanctions regimes.
• Manages end-to-end functional programs independently, including sanctions risk assessments, system enhancements, and policy implementation.
• Solves or leads others to solve complex sanctions-related issues, partnering to develop innovative compliance solutions.
• Uses sophisticated analytical thought to exercise judgment in identifying sanctions risks and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Impacts the achievement of sub-function or business line objectives by ensuring sanctions compliance and operational integrity.
• Communicates complex sanctions concepts; converts regulatory requirements into compelling business context and advice; influences and gains alignment across senior stakeholders.
• Works autonomously as the lead and guides others within sanctions expertise.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate Degree.
• Advanced degree, professional accreditation, and/or 7+ years of relevant experience.

Physical Requirements

• Domestic Travel: Occasional (1-33%)
• International Travel: Never (0%)
• Performing sedentary work: Continuous (67-100%)
• Performing multiple tasks: Continuous (67-100%)
• Operating standard office equipment: Continuous (67-100%)
• Responding quickly to sounds: Occasional (1-33%)
• Sitting: Continuous (67-100%)
• Standing: Occasional (1-33%)
• Walking: Occasional (1-33%)
• Moving safely in confined spaces: Occasional (1-33%)
• Lifting/Carrying (under 25 lbs.): Occasional (1-33%)
• Lifting/Carrying (over 25 lbs.): Never (0%)
• Squatting: Occasional (1-33%)
• Bending: Occasional (1-33%)
• Kneeling: Never (0%)
• Crawling: Never (0%)
• Climbing: Never (0%)
• Reaching overhead: Never (0%)
• Reaching forward: Occasional (1-33%)
• Pushing: Never (0%)
• Pulling: Never (0%)
• Twisting: Never (0%)
• Concentrating for long periods of time: Continuous (67-100%)
• Applying common sense to deal with problems involving standardized situations: Continuous (67-100%)
• Reading, writing, and comprehending instructions: Continuous (67-100%)
• Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing: Continuous (67-100%)

Pay

$91,000 - $145,600 USD

Schedule

40 hours per week

Benefits

TD’s Total Rewards package includes:

• Base salary and variable compensation/incentive awards (e.g., eligibility for cash and/or equity incentive awards).
• Health and well-being benefits.
• Savings and retirement programs.
• Paid time off (including Vacation PTO, Flex PTO, and Holiday PTO).
• Banking benefits and discounts.
• Career development and training programs.
• Reward and recognition programs.

Through regular development conversations, training programs, and a competitive benefits plan, TD is committed to providing support for colleagues to thrive both at work and at home.