Senior Manager - Financial Crimes Model Validation

RBC; Halifax; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

RBC is seeking a Senior Manager of Global Financial Crimes Model Validation to lead a team of experts validating FC models and refining validation frameworks. You will balance risk governance with business enablement while driving automation and methodological improvements.

The role requires 5+ years in ML model development/validation within a regulated setting, strong leadership, and deep FC domain knowledge. Toronto-based, salaried, with comprehensive rewards.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in machine learning model development, validation, or financial crimes risk management.
• Experience managing teams or leading complex projects in a regulated environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and data manipulation using Python, R, SQL, or SAS.
• Knowledge of ML algorithms and their applications in financial crimes detection.
• Familiarity with Enterprise Risk Management governance structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of model validation specialists, driving rigorous challenge and improvement.
• Oversee FC model validation programs aligned with ERM policies and regulatory requirements.
• Provide model risk assessments and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Manage the Enterprise Model Risk Management inventory and change procedures.

Skills

Machine learning

Team leadership

Model validation

Regulatory knowledge

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Data Science, Economics, Mathematics

Tools

Python

R

SQL

SAS

Job description

What is the opportunity?

As the Senior Manager of Global Financial Crimes Model Validation, you will lead a team of experts in validating and optimizing our FC models. Your deep understanding of FC processes, regulatory expectations, and industry trends will drive our success in safeguarding against financial crimes.

What will you do?

Strategic Model Validation

• Lead and mentor a team of model validation specialists, fostering a culture of rigorous challenge and continuous improvement
• Establish and oversee the FC model validation program, ensuring alignment with Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices
• Act as a trusted advisor and effective challenger to FC model developers and business users, balancing risk governance with business enablement
• Drive strategic initiatives to enhance model validation methodologies and automation frameworks

Model Validation & Assurance

• Validate financial crimes models—both machine learning and heuristic-based—to assess output quality, alert effectiveness, and risk mitigation capabilities
• Conduct rigorous testing of sanctions screening and AML detection models to ensure they effectively identify critical financial crimes risks
• Provide comprehensive model risk assessments and challenge recommendations to senior leadership and governance committees
• Manage the Enterprise Model Risk Management (EMRM) inventory system, maintaining robust change management procedures and documentation

Stakeholder Collaboration & Advisory

• Provide actionable, data-driven recommendations based on model assessments, contributing to continuous enhancement of FC detection capabilities
• Facilitate remediation of open model risk issues in accordance with regulatory expectations

Operational Excellence

• Manage metrics, reporting, and dashboard development to track model performance, validation status, and program health
• Leverage internal and external data sources to deliver accurate, insightful analysis and maintain situational awareness

Industry Leadership & Innovation

• Collaborate with peers, industry experts, and the Enterprise Model Risk Management team to identify emerging validation themes and trends
• Stay abreast of evolving financial crimes typologies, regulatory expectations, and advances in model validation best practices
• Champion adoption of innovative validation techniques and technologies across the FC program

What do you need to succeed?

• 5+ years in machine learning model development, validation, or financial crimes risk management
• Proven experience managing teams or leading complex projects in a regulated environment
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Finance, Data Science, Economics, Mathematics etc.)
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and data manipulation (Python, R, SQL, or SAS)
• Strong knowledge of machine learning algorithms and their applications in financial crimes detection
• Familiarity with Enterprise Risk Management governance structures
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.

What’s in it for you?

We thrive on the challenge to be our best, progressive thinking to keep growing, and working together to deliver trusted advice to help our clients thrive and communities prosper. We care about each other, reaching our potential, making a difference to our communities, and achieving success that is mutual.

• A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses and flexible benefits and competitive compensation
• Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team
• Opportunities to do challenging work

Job Skills

Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Business Perspective, Communication, Decision Making, Financial Regulation, Interpersonal Relationship Management, Operational Integrity, Organizational Governance, Process Management, Strategic Thinking

Additional Job Details

• Address: 20 KING ST W:TORONTO
• City: Toronto
• Country: Canada
• Work hours/week: 37.5
• Employment Type: Full time
• Platform: GROUP RISK MANAGEMENT
• Job Type: Regular
• Pay Type: Salaried
• Posted Date: 2026-04-03
• Application Deadline: 2026-10-03

Our Employment Opportunities

At RBC, we are guided by living shared values of Client First, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Excellence and winning together as One RBC. We believe an inclusive workplace that has diverse perspectives is core to our continued growth as one of the largest and most successful banks in the world. Maintaining a workplace where our employees feel supported to perform at their best, effectively collaborate, drive innovation, and grow professionally helps to bring our Purpose to life and create value for our clients and communities. RBC strives to deliver this through policies and programs intended to foster a workplace based on respect, belonging and opportunity for all.