About this role:
Wells Fargo is seeking a dynamic and pragmatic Lead Compliance & Operational Risk Officer (Vice President) to join the International Legal Entity Compliance & Operational Risk team. The role provides exposure to various team activities and opportunity to drive execution front-to-end across the pillars of activities including but not limited to:
- Governance, Reporting, and Initiatives
- Operational Risk and Compliance Program Policy and Frameworks execution
- Execute from a global perspective ensuring appropriate consideration of the legal entities and lines of business across EMEA, APAC, Canada and Latin America.
This role is based in Canada and will report functionally to the International Legal Entity Compliance & Operational Risk - Program, Governance and Reporting Senior Manager.
As a part of Wells Fargo’s second line of defense and Independent Risk Management team, covers jobs responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining risk standards and programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, agency, legal, regulatory, and Corporate Policy requirements, while also providing governance, oversight, and credible challenge of operational risk exposures and risk management practices arising from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, systems, or external events.
In this role, you will:
- Operate as a dedicated and embedded Subject Matter Expert (SME) and designated point of contact (‘relationship manager’) for senior leadership. The primary mandate for the team is to be accountable and execute the Compliance and Operational Risk Program Policy and Framework elements, Governance, and Reporting activities front-to-end with the legal entities in mind, leveraging the shared services from Enterprise and WFIP and enabling senior leadership and other vertical teams to focus on advisory activities.
- Act as a fungible resource to support across the Legal Entity elements, as they relate to Governance & Reporting, Initiatives, Program, and Country Compliance to enable the Leadership team to execute against the Compliance and Operational Risk agenda.
- SME production of the Legal Entity governance and reporting for internal Compliance and Operational Risk leadership and Legal Entity Executive/Board fora, with a focus on risk intelligence, thematics, data and analytics leveraging AI including the drafting and oversight of the Planned Activities, and leading Risk Appetite, and SORA, intra-legal entity outsourcing arrangements, as the Enterprise Risk Program evolves.
- Ability to join-the-dots and extract the ‘so what’ for International from monitoring, IT&V, Audit, and Regulatory Engagements, amongst other firm produced MI and in close collaboration with US and Shared Service Capabilities (SSC) teams.
- Proven technical knowledge and experience of Program, Governance, and Reporting elements, alongside a good understanding of Investment Banking and Products.
- Demonstrable collaboration and influencing skills with proven ability to manage multiple priorities effectively with a risk manager and service mindset for several International businesses and legal entity requirements.
- SME for Operational Risk and Compliance Risk Assessments and Change Management initiatives bringing together the legal entity lens and working collaboratively with the RCIM teams in the US and WFIP, as the Enterprise Risk Program evolves.
- SME for Compliance and Operational Risk Regulatory Change and Inventory Management (RCIM) activities, bringing together the legal entity lens and working collaboratively with the RCIM teams in the US and WFIP, as the Enterprise Risk Program evolves. This includes alignment of the Operational Risk RCIM approach and process.
- Provide oversight and monitoring of business group Compliance & Operational Risk based programs
- Maintain Compliance & Operational Risk expertise and consulting for projects and initiatives with moderate to high risk, over multiple business lines
- Establish, implement and maintain Compliance & Operational Risk standards and programs to drive compliance with federal, state, agency, legal and regulatory and Corporate Policy requirements
- Oversee the Front Line's execution and challenges appropriately on Compliance & Operational Risk related decisions
- Develop, oversee, and provide independent credible challenge to standards with subject matter expertise
- Provide direction to the business on developing corrective action plans and effectively managing regulatory change
- Report findings and make recommendations to management and appropriate committees
- Identify and recommend opportunities for process improvement and Compliance & Operational Risk control development
- Receive direction from leaders and exercise independent judgment while developing the knowledge to understand function, policies, procedures, and compliance & operational risk requirements
- Monitor the reporting, escalation, and timely remediation of issues, deficiencies or regulatory matters regarding Compliance & Operational Risk management
- Oversee the Front Line's execution and challenges appropriately on Compliance & Operational Risk related decisions
- Make decisions and resolve issues to meet business objectives
- Interpret policies, procedures, and Compliance & Operational Risk requirements
- Collaborate and consult with peers, colleagues and managers to resolve issues and achieve goals
- Work with complex business units, rules and regulations on moderate to high Compliance & Operational Risk compliance matters
- Interface with Audit, Legal, external agencies, and regulatory bodies on risk related topics
Technical skills
- Seasoned Lead with comprehensive expertise in Compliance and Operational Risk Frameworks, encompassing Regulatory Change, Inventory Management, Policy development, Learning Programs, Risk Assessments, Change Management, Monitoring, Governance, and robust Risks and Controls oversight.
- Demonstrated track record of delivering Board and Executive-level governance and reporting, specializing in advanced risk intelligence, thematic analysis, and data analytics, including the application of AI to regulatory and compliance matters.
- Expertly manages competing priorities and leads cross-functional teams, employing pragmatic, innovative approaches and superior analytical acumen to drive compliance initiatives.
- Applies rigorous, evidence-based judgement to identify, escalate, and mitigate Compliance and Operational Risk, consistently delivering work of the highest caliber with meticulous attention to detail.
- Exceptional written and verbal communicator; adept at building influential relationships and tailoring messaging for senior business leaders, regulatory bodies, and diverse audiences.
- Transforms ambiguity into actionable, strategic plans and distils complex regulatory processes into clear, concise communications for all stakeholders.
- Synthesizes technical and regulatory issues, adapting communications for varied stakeholders; confidently engages in detailed discussions on intricate compliance topics across business functions.
- Consistently delivers outcomes on schedule and to specification, regarded as a strategic partner and trusted advisor by International and Enterprise teams.
- Recognized for providing timely, insightful risk profiling, offering constructive challenge, and upholding exemplary standards in compliance and risk management.
- Highly organized, solutions-driven, and outstanding at stakeholder engagement and collaborative relationship management across the organization.
Required Qualifications:
- 5+ years of compliance, operational risk, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
Desired Qualifications:
- Strong knowledge of Corporate and Investment Banking products, services, and regulatory requirements, with experience supporting international or multi-jurisdictional business activities.
- Strong knowledge of the Canadian regulatory environment, including OSFI guidance, applicable Canadian banking regulations, and global regulatory frameworks impacting international financial institutions.
- Proven ability to influence and build effective partnerships with senior leaders, regulators, audit teams, legal partners, and cross-functional stakeholders across multiple business lines and geographies.
- Demonstrated experience partnering with stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions, including Canada, the U.S., EMEA, APAC, and Latin America, to drive consistent risk and compliance outcomes
- Deep understanding of the ever-evolving governance and regulatory environments as well as industry and operational risk and compliance risk-related best practices.
- Demonstrates clear understanding of importance of effective customer service (internal and external clients).
Job Expectations:
- Trust - demonstrates high standards of integrity and openness.
- Outperformance – regularly exceeds the expectations of others and the role.
- Change Leadership - continuously seeking (or encouraging others to seek) opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing organizational problems and opportunities and transforming a function.
- Global Acumen - developing and incorporating an understanding of the competitive global business environment as well as an awareness of economic, social, and political trends that impact Wells Fargo's global strategy.
- Developing Strategic Relationships - using appropriate interpersonal styles and communication methods to influence, collaborate and build effective relationships with senior business partners.
- Client Orientation - cultivating strategic client relationships and ensuring that the client perspective (e.g. Compliance & Operational Risk leadership, Country Officers, Business Aligned teams) is the driving force behind all value-added business activities.
- Driving Execution - translating strategy into operational reality. Breaking down strategic priorities or business initiatives into key tasks and identifying accountabilities. Aligning communication, people, culture, processes, resources, and systems to ensure effective implementation and delivery of required results.
Posting Location:
- Toronto, Canada
- The role is for a vacancy in our Toronto office
- You must be able to work at the posted location
Pay Range
Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.
$118,000.00 - $201,000.00
Posting End Date:
6 Oct 2026
*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
We Value Equal Opportunity
Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit’s risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.
Applicants with Disabilities
To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.
Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:
a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.
b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.
