Senior AML Project Specialist

Toronto Corporate Office, Etobicoke, ON M8X 2X3, CAN

About this opportunity

At Meridian, our aspiration is to integrate our purpose into everything we do for people, the planet, and communities. We believe that our greatest opportunity is to create opportunity and meet people where they are.

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

This role reports to the Manager, AML Program and will use subject‑matter expertise to provide insights that aid in the development and delivery of an effective and compliant Program, aligned with policy, risk appetite, and informed by industry best‑practices. The role demonstrates sound problem‑solving, analysis, communication, and critical thinking skills while working with, educating, and influencing enterprise stakeholders across various expertise areas.

Responsibilities include supporting the development and implementation of controls, policies and procedures, strategies, scorecards, monitoring, and guidance for the Program.

The role represents the AML Program Team on complex enterprise initiatives and leads internal team efforts 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

• Identify enhancements to detection systems and strategies, coordinate implementation with business and technology partners, and perform post‑implementation tracking.
• Lead the content development and maintenance of appropriate training programs.
• Support the annual plan and achieve department goals and key performance indicators.
• Assist in preparing for FINTRAC compliance examinations or internal compliance reviews and develop 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.
• Maintain Meridian’s evergreen AML Issues Management Program.
• Prepare 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 them into functional program requirements.
• Participate in industry working groups (e.g., Canadian Credit Union Association, Canadian Bank Association).
• Work with vendors and internal partners to support the implementation of new tools and systems, including data requirements and mapping, and document 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.
• Identify and assess technological solutions to advance the program; determine the best mix of internal development, interfacing applications, and third‑party vendor solutions.
• Act as the owner of AML Compliance’s vendor relationships; manage, evaluate, and hold vendors accountable to meet Meridian’s requirements and expectations.
• Represent the Program on complex enterprise initiatives, acting as the key point of contact across projects.
• Make autonomous decisions and handle stakeholder questions with minimal direction.
• Support the development and testing of business requirements within projects to ensure AML risks and requirements are met.
• Research and present industry AML compliance practices to stakeholders.
• Identify money‑laundering, terrorist‑financing, and sanctions‑evasion risk within projects and initiatives; collaborate with business owners to ensure adequate controls.
• Communicate project status, developments, and issues with leaders proactively.
• Drive organizational alignment toward sound policy and process development.
• Identify system enhancements to improve AML compliance and lead…