Operational Excellence Associate Director

The Operational Excellence Associate Director drives execution of audit remediation activities and operational excellence initiatives within the Client Lifecycle Management pillar.

This role serves as a primary "doer" embedded within CLM operations, responsible for executing audit responses, managing action plans, and implementing control improvements.

Audit Response Planning & Execution

• Coordinate with 1st, 2nd line and 3rd line groups on review & exam scheduling and work planning
• Participate in quarterly advance planning sessions to anticipate regulatory examination cycles
• Support centralized intake management by providing pillar-level resource availability and capacity
• Maintain work inventory and prioritize activities aligned with internal review and external regulatory exam timelines
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned audit areas; coordinate directly with CLM Pillar heads & Head of Operational Excellence on work scope and priorities
• Develop detailed audit response narratives with supporting documentation, process maps, and data samples
• Track and manage audit action plans from initiation through completion and validation
• Maintain audit-ready documentation with clear evidence of control effectiveness and remediation status
• Respond to auditor inquiries and follow-up requests within agreed timelines

Control Assessment, Design & Governance

• Identify control gaps and design preventive or detective controls aligned with operational risk and regulatory expectations
• Recommend process improvements to CLM Pillar heads with supporting business cases
• Participate in self-identified issues management (EIM) to document and remediate deficiencies
• Support RCSA (Risk Control Self-Assessment) reviews and attestation processes
• Chairing and Coordination of CLM Monthly Risk and Control Forum.
• Perform periodic analysis of OREs, Breaches & Complaints to drive strategic remediation
• Coordinate with 1LODb & 2LOD teams to review CLM specific training requirements

Regulatory and Compliance Knowledge

• Maintain current knowledge of regulatory expectations in regulatory exams, KYC/AML requirements
• Work with the CLM Leadership & Head of Operational Excellence to translate regulatory findings into operational remediation activities
• Support privacy impact assessments, operational resilience reviews, BIA/BCP plan updates & Intragroup Outsourcing Documentation
• Ensure compliance with regulatory examination protocols and timelines
• Escalate emerging regulatory trends or examination focus areas to CLM leadership

Issue Management and Sustainability

• Ensure comprehensive documentation of identified issues, root causes, and remediation plans
• Assess sustainability of implemented controls and recommend enhancements
• Monitor duplicate issue identification and coordinate resolution with central audit team
• Track remediation metrics and provide status updates to CLM Pillar heads
• Identify systemic risks requiring structural or process-level changes

Decision Making

• Determines scope of audit response work and required supporting documentation; prioritizes remediation activities in consultation with CLM Pillar heads and central audit team
• Assesses control design and operating effectiveness; recommends process improvements and enhanced control procedures
• Makes go/no-go decisions on completeness and accuracy of audit response documentation before submission
• Escalates emerging regulatory expectations or examination risks to Head of Operational Excellence and CLM Pillar heads
• Prioritizes work activities based on regulatory examination timelines and pillar operational capacity

Execution

• Recommends specific remediation actions and control enhancements to CLM Pillar heads and process owners
• Advises on regulatory examination preparation and required evidence packages
• Suggests process improvements to reduce audit findings and control deficiencies
• Recommends resource allocation and timeline adjustments based on examination complexity and scope

What do you need to succeed?

• Minimum 3-7 years in regulatory examination response, KYC/AML compliance, or Client Due Diligence functions
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Law, Compliance, Business Administration, or related field
• Direct experience with regulatory exams (National Futures Association, FINRA, SEC, or OCC preferred) or equivalent international regulatory frameworks
• Strong understanding of AML/KYC processes, client data governance, and regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated ability to interpret regulatory expectations and translate into operational remediation activities
• Proven execution track record in completing audit responses and remediation activities

Nice to have:

• Prior experience in 1st or 2nd line compliance, risk, or audit functions
• Compliance, anti-money laundering, or financial regulatory certifications (AML, KYC, CAMS, CIP, or equivalent)
• Exposure to operational resilience frameworks, BIA/BCP, or privacy impact assessment processes
• Experience with process improvement, control design, or operational risk management
• Familiarity with trading operations, client onboarding, or KYC platforms
• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Visio); data management and reconciliation
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to explain complex control designs to auditors and operational teams
• Detail-oriented with ability to manage multiple overlapping audit requirements and timelines
• Problem-solving mindset with focus on practical, sustainable solutions
• Ability to work collaboratively with pillar heads, risk, compliance, and auditors
• Time management and ability to balance audit response demands with BAU operational activities

What’s in it for you?

• A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses and flexible benefits, 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
• Flexible work/life balance options