VP Operational Risk & Resilience

Permanent Full-Time

Great West Lifeco is looking for a Vice President of Operational Risk and Resilience to provide enterprise‑wide strategic leadership and second‑line oversight of non‑technology operational risk and resilience. The role is accountable for establishing and maintaining globally consistent frameworks, standards, and methodologies that enable the business to identify, assess, and manage operational risks, and to respond and recover effectively from disruption. Through independent oversight and challenge, this role ensures consistent application and embedding of frameworks and tools and strong risk outcomes across the Lifeco group of companies.

What you will do

• Establish and lead the global operational resilience strategy and oversee its execution including clear prioritization, measurable outcomes, and sustain embedding across the organization, to ensure the organization's essential services can withstand disruptions and drive initiatives that enhance the organization’s risk and resilience posture.
• Ensure teams in first and second lines of defence coordinate on a unified approach to resilience, driving the effective and timely implementation of the frameworks globally, with clear accountability for outcomes, adoption, and ongoing effectiveness
• Develop, maintain, and enhance the operational risk management framework, methodologies, and policies for all non-technology operational risk categories including but not limited to BCM/DR, third-party, data, people and business process risks.
• Assess, monitor, and report the consolidated non‑technology operational risk and resilience profile against risk appetite, providing clear, actionable insights to executive management and governance committees
• Oversee the effective operation and continuous enhancement of operational risk tools data, and analytics, including leveraging automation and advanced analytics to improve risk insight, scalability, and decision-making across the organization.
• Anticipate and assess emerging operational risks, including those associated with AI, automation, data, third-party ecosystems, and evolving business models, and ensure frameworks remain fit-for-purpose.
• Lead an effective second line oversight of non-technology operational risk and resilience strategy and initiatives across Canada within a globally aligned framework
• Engage with regulators and internal assurance partners on operational risk and resilience matters, supporting supervisory interactions and anticipating evolving expectations

What you will bring

• Exceptional leadership including a track record of building and refreshing high performance teams who demonstrate a drive to continuously improve processes and ways of working; ability to build delivery-focused teams with a strong bias toward execution, continuous improvement, and measurable outcomes.
• Proven track record in operational risk management or business operations, with exposure to multiple business units or industries.
• Strong capabilities in designing and implementing enterprise-scale transformation and modernization initiatives, including simplification and data-enabled risk management, within a global, matrix environment
• Working knowledge of AI, automation, and advanced analytics as they relate to operational risk, resilience, and controls, with the ability to leverage their responsible use in the 2nd line and support a framework for their responsible use in the first line.
• Strategic thinker, with ability to synthesize information into a strategic direction and translate that direction into executable plans that deliver results

Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Grow with Great-West Lifeco

Great-West Lifeco Inc is a Canadian headquarter, international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management, and reinsurance businesses. We operate in Canada, the United States, and Europe under the brands: Canada Life, Empower and Irish Life. At the end of 2024, our companies had over 32,250 employees, 106,000 advisor relationships, and thousands of distribution partners – serving approximately 40 million customer relationships.

Great-West Lifeco trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol GWO and is a member of the Power Corporation group of companies.

What we offer:  

We’re committed to supporting our employees through every stage of their career. Here’s what you can expect as a full-time or part-time permanent team member: 

Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to $2,000 annually towards education reimbursement. 

Health & Wellness: Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being. 

Time Off: In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.  

Financial Security: Company-matching pension plan, share ownership program and additional investment options. 

Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!  

Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.  

Learn more about Great-West Lifeco.  

We’re committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact  talentacquisitioncanada@canadalife.com. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Great-West Lifeco policies.  

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