Associate Director, Research & Intelligence

We are looking for a motivated, experienced individual to join the leadership of a productive team conducting sophisticated public record and open-source research, online monitoring and human intelligence gathering for pre-transactional due diligence, asset traces, complex frauds, internal investigations, litigation support and anti-bribery/anti-corruption and other compliance-driven inquiries in the US and Canada.

The successful candidate will be a critical thinker with solid writing, communication and team management skills and at least five years’ experience with an established investigations firm or unit. This mid-level management position requires a demonstrated ability to: conduct and project manage high-level investigative projects in a rapid-paced environment within time and budget constraints, oversee teams of researchers and subcontractors, write and edit client reports in an investigative reporting style, foster relationships with counterparts globally and across business lines in a complex organization, and lead in the professional development of junior members of the team. The Associate Director will have direct line management responsibility for a small group of direct reports on a busy and growing team and will begin to take ownership of a section of the practice, developing capabilities; setting and modeling best practices; and leading key initiatives to drive forward the team’s goals. This Associate Director will be expected to develop best-in-class research techniques for the Canada market and be involved in the research team’s training.

The Associate Director, being based in Toronto, will be expected to have a Canadian network and prioritize business development efforts, including developing new clients and expanding existing relationships, spotting client opportunities for the Business Intelligence North America (BINA) team and beyond, drafting clear and persuasive proposals, originating client work, authoring thought leadership, maintaining client relationships remotely and in-person, attending and/or speaking at conferences or client events; and at all times acting as an ambassador for the firm.

While this team covers US and Canada research, it works closely with teams across the world, and so this role requires global-mindedness and the ability to work across different cultures and time zones.

Tasks and responsibilities

Investigative case management:

• Manage and execute a range of investigative projects utilizing proprietary and specialist databases, online public records and open sources in a variety of investigative contexts for internal and external clients
• Manage the entire project cycle, from initial client request to proposal drafting, acceptance, delivery and invoicing
• Communicate with clients to understand their goals and ensure that our proposals deliver solutions tailored to those needs
• Understand project budgeting, resource management and profitability of projects
• Review and edit client deliverables in the Control Risks style and for quality control
• Brief and present findings, in writing, verbally and through charts and diagrams, to internal and external clients
• Resolve client problems and complaints, including having difficult conversations with the support of more senior colleagues.
• Manage our human source network and expand it by cultivating contacts across the US & Canada
• Manage investigators and subcontractors. Oversee the effective performance of investigators and other junior colleagues, providing meaningful and constructive feedback.

Team leadership and line management:

• Manage a group of direct reports, helping them to develop, execute and complete projects, liaising with colleagues in other jurisdictions and service lines
• Discuss and create objectives for each direct report and conduct consistent evaluations and required performance reviews
• Support/lead professional development of the research team

Business, practice, and solution development:

• Drive development of BINA’s Canada BD Strategy and offering to Canadian clients by driving the initiative to win effectively and profitably. Seek to both maintain existing relationships and develop new ones with key decision makers. Facilitate, where appropriate, the introduction and provision of additional Control Risks’ services.
• Grow client accounts to higher and broader levels of service, expand the relationship by service and geography.
• Confidently explain to Clients the full range of Control Risks’ BI services and understand our other practices and how they fit into our work.
• Lead and support on business development initiatives such as attending conferences, client meetings and briefings
• Actively participate in profile-raising and brand awareness activities, including marketing and networking initiatives and events
• Seek opportunities to improve our current methodologies, including through the application of new tools, innovation, approaches, and sources

This role is based in Toronto and will require in-office attendance on a hybrid basis. Relocation assistance may be offered to individuals outside of Toronto. Qualified applicants must be legally authorized to work in Canada without the need for sponsorship.

Knowledge and experience

• Previous professional experience within the corporate intelligence industry with at least 5 to 7 years working as an investigative analyst, researcher, or investigator with business development experience expanding existing client relationships and developing new client networks, externally.
• Experience managing teams of researchers carrying out complex projects and presenting findings to clients
• Extensive experience with US and Canadian public records, including media and litigation databases, and online search tools
• Understanding of the Canadian legal system and regulatory environment and knowledge of Canadian business and politics
• Demonstrated experience with corporate intelligence and compliance, with strong knowledge of research techniques, databases, networks, online registers and archives, and research in the general internet
• Ability to work in a team and independently

Qualifications and specialist skills

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s in related field preferred
• Mastery of the Canadian public record required; additional mastery of the US public record preferred
• Foreign language and additional non-US research experience; French language expertise beneficial
• Mastery of investigative skills and techniques; willingness to share expertise
• Related industry certifications a plus (CFE, ACAMS, etc.)

Competencies

• Strong network of contacts across Canada
• Ability to understand, distil and synthesize complex information from a variety of sources and organize into concise narratives
• Ability to identify adverse and risk-relevant information and provide context
• Ability to edit investigative reports for accuracy, client-friendliness, sourcing, and risk mitigation
• Takes responsibility to analyze a situation to provide the solution or escalates as appropriate
• Works with colleagues in a cooperative and supportive manner to achieve shared goals
• Takes initiative to improve work methodologies or operational processes, innovating upon our service offerings to clients.
• Strong track record in client relationship management, including explanation of services, expectation management, anticipation of needs, and thoughtful communication demonstrating flexibility and positivity
• Ability to advance the growth of the business, with a continuous view to profit while improving the quality of service delivered through research and knowledge management principals.
• All employees are expected to model behaviour reflective of our company values: Integrity and Ethics, Collaboration and Teamwork, Commitment to People and Professionalism and Excellence

• Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarized in the full job offer.
• Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasize the value of in-person time together - in the office and with our clients - while continuing to support flexible and remote working.
• As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us and are fully committed to equal treatment, free from discrimination, of all candidates throughout our recruitment process.

Control Risks is committed to a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made in order to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.