Sagard Overview Sagard is a global multi-strategy alternative asset management firm investing across venture capital, private equity, private credit and real estate. Sagard also engages in private wealth management through Sagard Wealth. Founded in 2016 and guided by the core values of entrepreneurship, innovation, collaboration, rigour and authenticity, Sagard has grown at an extraordinary pace. In under a decade, the firm has built more than US$45 billion in assets under management, 400 portfolio companies and a team of close to 600 professionals. And Sagard is just getting started: the firm is well positioned to keep growing substantially, both organically and inorganically, in pursuit of its vision of becoming one of the best-performing investment management firms in the world. Headquartered in Canada, Sagard currently has offices in Canada, the United States, Europe and the Middle East. More at https://www.sagard.com

Position Overview

This is a rare chance to help build the compliance engine of one of the world's fastest-growing alternative asset managers. Sagard is seeking a Director, Compliance to power its next phase of expansion and deepen its in-house legal and compliance capabilities. Sagard is building the legal and compliance department of the future: an AI-enabled function where best-in-class legal and compliance technology absorbs the repetitive work so that members of the team spend their time on judgment, strategy and deal-making. This role will help lead that build, and the firm is investing seriously behind it. The Director, Compliance will be a key member of Sagard Compliance, an integrated global team responsible for ensuring Sagard remains compliant with legal and regulatory frameworks in all jurisdictions in which it operates.



You will keep several high-stakes matters moving all at once without losing your composure, your sense of humour, or your bias for practical solutions. The ideal candidate brings gravitas, sharp problem-solving instincts, and genuine enthusiasm for Sagard's growth story, someone who leads with confidence, welcomes competing demands, and is energized rather than unsettled by a firm that keeps reinventing itself. As part of a broader team, the Director, Compliance will have substantial responsibility for the compliance programs of Sagard entities registered in Canada, the United States and internationally as well as supporting product formation, investment activity and M&A; processes. This role offers functional ownership from Day 1 with direct access to executive leadership. For the right candidate demonstrating Sagard’s values, this position provides a clear pathway to leadership on the Compliance team, with a trajectory to transition into the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) for a business line or registrant over time.
The ideal candidate will also: have excellent judgment, developed from experience in-house at a global multi-strategy alternative asset manager and/or at a top-tier law firm; be technologically fluent and capable of building processes and systems with artificial intelligence tools such as Harvey, ChatGPT, and Claude, or willing to learn; and be at ease operating in a sophisticated private markets environment with an international presence.





Responsibilities

Help lead the compliance programs for certain Sagard affiliates which are SEC-registered investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and/or portfolio managers, investment fund managers and exempt market dealers under NI 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Maintain and enhance the compliance manual, code of ethics, supervisory procedures, and related policies. Lead annual compliance reviews and prepare reports for senior management, governing bodies, and parent company legal/compliance stakeholders. Lead or support on regulatory and compliance aspects of recent product development, M&A; transaction and integration initiatives and portfolio transaction activities. Monitor regulatory developments affecting SEC RIAs, private funds, private credit, real estate, private equity, fund-of-funds, co-investments, secondaries, and cross-border advisory activities. Oversee RAQ, Investment Fund Survey, Form ADV, Form PF, Form D, and other regulatory filings. Support compliance with private fund rules, marketing rules, custody requirements, pay-to-play rules, political contribution rules, and books-and-records obligations. Review investor communications, marketing materials, DDQs, RFPs, pitchbooks, performance presentations, and related external materials which are systematically escalated to internal compliance teams after AI-assisted and external review. Advise on conflicts of interest, allocation of investment opportunities, fees and expenses, valuation, side letters, MNPI, personal trading, gifts and entertainment, outside business activities, and political contributions. Provide compliance oversight across venture capit

📌 Director, Compliance (Montreal)
🏢 Sagard Holdings Manager
📍 Montreal