Director, Compliance (CCO)

at  Embark Student Corp

DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Chief Risk & Legal Officer (“CRLO”), the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) is responsible for strategic and hands-on leadership of all compliance functions, ensuring that Embark Student Corp.’s (“Embark”) compliance program and processes are comprehensive, updated, and upheld across the corporation.
The CCO plays a pivotal role in the development, implementation, and maintenance of compliance policies, conducts risk assessments, and analyzes compliance processes.
The CCO stays apprised of any industry changes to regulatory requirements and drives a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. The CCO identifies potential procedural or efficiency gaps based on a nuanced understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies, and proactively recommends revisions and provides guidance to senior management and staff at all levels.
As a key member of the senior leadership team, the CCO is responsible for developing and implementing key strategies in alignment with Embark’s vision, united with the senior leadership team in their passion and purpose to help Canadians get the most out of their education.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

The Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) is a seasoned executive with over 10 years of experience in compliance, legal, and regulatory roles, including a proven track record of overseeing and managing high-performing compliance teams.
The CCO brings extensive experience developing compliance policies and procedures within the financial services industry and possesses in-depth knowledge of Canadian compliance laws and regulations.
An agile, technologically savvy, and innovative leader, the CCO emphasizes continuous improvement in their approach, proactively seeking ways to automate compliance processes and enhance efficiency.
The CCO is both strategic and tactical in their approach, with a keen ability to manage competing priorities while working autonomously, and collaboratively, to fulfill key objectives. A skilled communicator and relationship builder, the CCO is able to quickly establish credibility across the organization, articulating complex ideas clearly and persuasively to key stakeholder groups, including the board and senior leadership team.

Technical Skills and Experience

• 10+ years of experience in compliance, legal, and/or regulatory roles, including a minimum of 5 years of experience in senior management roles with responsibility for managing a compliance team.
• Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) designation under NI-31-103, section 3.14 is required.
• Extensive experience with reviewing securities regulations (and other regulatory publications) and summarizing that into clear, concise, and plain language, providing guidance to impacted stakeholders.
• Extensive experience drafting policies and procedures within the financial services industry.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to ensure that various stakeholders (e.g. subject matter experts) within departments across the organization complete the required impact assessments and other downstream work required to address regulatory changes and/or policy updates within stated timelines.
• Demonstrated exposure to and a nuanced understanding of the internal audit function, including experience with audit processes and frameworks.
• Strong organization and records management skills.
• In-depth knowledge of Canadian compliance laws and regulations and a nuanced understanding of the requirements for designing compliant processes.
• Successful completion of the Registered Education Savings Plan Dealers Association of Canada (RESPDAC) Scholarship Plan Dealer Sales Representative Proficiency Course, Branch Manager Course, and corporate product knowledge training courses.
• Completion of or ability to complete other related securities industry courses, such as the Chief Compliance Officers Qualifying Examination, Canadian Securities Course and Officers, and the Partners & Directors Course.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in law, business administration, or a related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Life-long Learner: Committed to life-long learning and performance driven.
• Customer-Centric: Recognizes customers as the most important stakeholders.
• Analytical and Strategic: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to analyze processes and practices to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
• High Emotional Intelligence: Navigates interpersonal relationships with sensitivity and awareness and listens to diverse perspective with an empathetic attitude, effectively managing conflict and building strong, positive relationships.
• Innovative: Embraces new ideas, technologies, change, and challenges, continuously seeking ways to improve processes and deliver value to the organization and its members.
• Integrity: Possesses high ethical standards and integrity and inspires trust and accountability across the organization.
• Organized: Strong time management skills and the ability to simultaneously manage multiple competing priorities
• Excellent Communicator: Articulates ideas clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, to inspire and align teams
• Collaborative: Works well with others, encouraging teamwork and open communication to achieve collective goals and deliver value.
• Driven by Excellence: Holds themselves and their teams to high standards, consistently striving for outstanding performance and results.

ABOUT EMBARK STUDENT CORP.

At Embark Student Corp. (“Embark”), we’re on a journey to create an entirely new student experience. One that is built on instilling confidence in students around the paths they are choosing and their ability and agency to achieve their goals for the future. As enablers and orchestrators of students’ success, we will create access, affordability and agency for students and their champions across our services and solutions. This will provide them with guidance and support in all aspects of planning and saving for post secondary education - giving them a future-ready advantage and help them thrive well past their educational journey.

Embark Corp. is cultivating an environment that enables growth, trust and pioneering. To help drive our transformation and growth, we are guided by the following strategic pillars:

• Elevate our Expertise in Education Savings & Planning
• Aspire to be Trusted and Easy to do Business with
• Put our Customers in the Center of Our Experience
• Partner to Drive Value, Scale and Reach

What makes us qualified to do this?
In business since 1965 and owned and operated by a not-for-profit organization, everything we do is in service to our students. We are a diverse and passionate community of experts that firmly believes in the benefits of education, priding ourselves on helping to shape their future and empowering them to reach their full potential.
As we move forward, we will leverage and build upon our unmatched expertise in the RESP space to propel both our students and our company forward, ensuring a better tomorrow. Our vision is set, our future is bright, and we’re just getting started.
We value each employee for their unique perspectives and experiences. If you are someone who has experience and skills similar to what we are looking for and is aligned with the culture and values, please consider applying!
Work Model
We have adopted a hybrid model, leveraging the best of remote and in-person work. This work model however can differ depending on roles and leaders.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We at Embark Corp., are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. We are dedicated to building a culture that reflects the diversity of our customers and communities in which we live and serve. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment/interview process (including alternate formats of materials, or accessible meeting rooms or other accommodation), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Embark Student Corp. has been Great Place to Work® certified since 2018

Strategic Leadership:

• In collaboration with the senior leadership team, drive the execution of Embark’s purpose, vision, and strategic objectives, ensuring alignment with long-term goals and short-term targets.
• Support the CRLO and other members of the Leadership Team in the identification, planning and execution of strategic and operational initiatives for the organization, ensuring compliance with all laws, regulations, and the organization’s policies and procedures.
• Lead the Compliance team to success, aligning team goals with the organization’s strategic vision.