Compliance and Financial Crimes Corporate Audit Lead, Managing Director

Who we are looking for

We’re seeking a strategic, seasoned audit leader with deep expertise in compliance and financial crimes to join our Corporate Audit leadership team. The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, risk-aware, and capable of navigating complex regulatory environments. They will have a proven ability to build trust across senior leadership while maintaining the independence and rigor essential to effective internal audit.

This is a high-visibility role suited for someone who thrives on collaboration, is skilled in communicating with executive stakeholders, and can drive meaningful improvements to governance, risk management, and control frameworks.

This role can be based out of Boston, Massachusetts; Toronto, Canada; or Bangalore, India

Due to the role requirements this job needs to be performed primarily in the office with some flex work opportunities available.

Why this role is important to us

The regulatory landscape for financial services continues to evolve rapidly, placing greater emphasis on effective governance, transparency, and risk mitigation in compliance and financial crimes. This role is critical to ensuring that the firm’s global compliance, ethics, anti-money laundering, sanctions, and fraud risk programs are subject to strong, independent oversight. By providing proactive assurance and insight, this role supports our organization in meeting its regulatory obligations, upholding the highest ethical standards, and protecting our clients, employees, and reputation.

What you will be responsible for

Overall:

• Strategic leadership over audit coverage of global Compliance and Financial Crimes programs, including AML/BSA, OFAC/sanctions, antibribery and corporation (ABC), conduct risk, and regulatory compliance. 
• Assessing the effectiveness of AML and Regulatory Compliance internal controls, risk management practices, corporate governance processes across lines of defense. 
• Providing insights to management and the board and act as a trusted advisor to the Financial Crimes & AML, and Regulatory Compliance Functions and businesses globally. 
• Serving as a senior point of contact for Compliance, Legal, Risk, and Financial Crimes leadership — building trusted partnerships while maintaining audit independence.
• Advising executive management and the Audit Committee on key risks, control effectiveness, and emerging regulatory trends.

Leadership & People Management:

• Leads/manages a team of internal audit professionals in both AML and Regulatory Compliance portfolios.
• Ability to work in a dynamically changing environment and leading people through modernization from traditional auditing to focus on data analytics and development of continuous assurance.
• Oversight of the development and maintenance of Audit’s Targeted Operating Model (TOM) specific to the AML and Regulatory Compliance Programs.
• Accountable to ensure there are sufficient engagement resources to meet annual audit plan for both AML and Regulatory Compliance portfolios.
• Oversees large, regulatory, highly complex or strategic projects (thematic audits) that impact the organization as a whole.
• Develop and maintain capabilities of team members to enable their positive performance, professional growth, build and maintain strong credibility, and contribute to building the IA brand of trusted advisors.
• Managing, mentoring, and developing a high-performing audit team with subject matter expertise in compliance and financial crimes.

Relationship Building and Client Experience:

• Periodically engages executives, and as required regulators to facilitate proactive and ongoing, formal and informal, monitoring and insights.
• Manages highly sensitive situations with high-impact outcomes (with stakeholders) that could have material impact on AML and Regulatory Compliance Programs, and escalates enterprise issues to reporting VP and Chief Auditor in accordance with the IA escalation model.
• Make recommendations to Executives that will have a significant impact on Global AML and Regulatory Compliance Programs.
• When negotiating, knows when to insist, when to compromise and when given a stalemate to seek a fresh perspective.
• Initiates a conflict management approach to handle sensitive situations.
• Representing Corporate Audit in regulatory exams, supervisory meetings, and internal governance forums as appropriate.

Audit and Assurance:

• Influence and inform the Internal Audit strategic audit plan, adapt IA guidelines as required, and execute to success.
• Shaping and executing the multi-year audit plan for high-risk areas in alignment with enterprise risk priorities and regulatory expectations.
• Recommends annual audit plan for assigned Auditable Units (AU’s) in both AML and Regulatory Compliance (2nd line Compliance) Programs, and oversees the execution of annual audit plan and reporting to executives.
• Drives the continual assessment of key and emerging risks for assigned AML and Regulatory Compliance Auditable Units (AU’s) at the platform level, and adjusts annual plans as necessary.
• Concludes on the effectiveness of internal controls, enterprise policies, processes and procedures.
• Initiates collaboration with, and assesses the effectiveness of key risk management practices within the 2nd line of defense (AML and Compliance).
• Ensure appropriate level of oversight / support is provided to the regional and platform specific Audit Teams who execute AML and Compliance audits under the TOM.
• Ensures regulatory requirements and expectations related to the frequency and the risk-based effectiveness testing are met.
• Accountable to understand IT risks related to proprietary technology impacting AML and Regulatory Compliance Programs to ensure adequate audit coverage.
• Driving cross-functional collaboration and innovation across the broader audit organization.

Data Analytics and Technology:

• Shifts the capabilities of team members towards a predictive insights-driven organization.
• Creates networks and relationships with key stakeholders responsible for AML and Regulatory Compliance Programs, to ensure their team is equipped with the right data, capabilities and tools for data analysis.
• Identifies and drives to completion, key analytics that could help the enterprise mitigate risk or reduce costs.
• Drive the development of the continuous monitoring/assurance audit approach, and regulatory compliance Center of Excellence leveraging data and data analytics.

What we value

These skills will help you succeed in this role

• Executive presence and the ability to influence across all levels of an organization.
• Strong understanding of risk and control concepts as applied to financial crimes and compliance functions.
• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to distill complex issues into actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to Boards and senior regulators.
• Sound judgment, high integrity, and a commitment to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
• A global mindset and ability to lead teams across geographies and cultures.

Education & Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Law, or a related field required. Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, JD, MS) preferred.
• Minimum of 15+ years of relevant experience in internal audit, compliance, risk management, or financial crimes within a large financial institution or regulatory body.
• Professional certifications strongly preferred (e.g., CAMS, CPA, CIA, CFE, or similar).
• Demonstrated expertise in applicable regulations and standards: BSA/AML, OFAC, FCPA, FINRA/SEC rules, and other global regulatory regimes.
• Familiarity with audit tools, data analytics, and continuous monitoring technologies.

Additional requirements

While majority of the time you will work from your primary location, some domestic and international travel may be required to a variety of locations where State Street operates. 

Are you the right candidate? Yes!

We truly believe in the power that comes from the diverse backgrounds and experiences our employees bring with them. Although each vacancy details what we are looking for, we don’t necessarily need you to fulfil all of them when applying. If you like change and innovation, seek to see the bigger picture, make data driven decisions and are a good team player, you could be a great fit.

About State Street

What we do. State Street is one of the largest custodian banks, asset managers and asset intelligence companies in the world. From technology to product innovation, we’re making our mark on the financial services industry. For more than two centuries, we’ve been helping our clients safeguard and steward the investments of millions of people. We provide investment servicing, data & analytics, investment research & trading and investment management to institutional clients.

Work, Live and Grow. We make all efforts to create a great work environment. Our benefits packages are competitive and comprehensive. Details vary by location, but you may expect generous medical care, insurance and savings plans, among other perks. You’ll have access to flexible Work Programs to help you match your needs. And our wealth of development programs and educational support will help you reach your full potential.

Inclusion, Diversity and Social Responsibility. We truly believe our employees’ diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are a powerful contributor to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and reach their maximum potential while adding value to both our organization and our clients. We warmly welcome candidates of diverse origin, background, ability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and personality. Another fundamental value at State Street is active engagement with our communities around the world, both as a partner and a leader. You will have tools to help balance your professional and personal life, paid volunteer days, matching gift programs and access to employee networks that help you stay connected to what matters to you.

State Street is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Discover more at StateStreet.com/careers

Salary Range:

The range quoted above applies to the role in the primary location specified. If the candidate would ultimately work outside of the primary location above, the applicable range could differ.

Job Application Disclosure:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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