AVP, Retail Sales Risk & Oversight

Co-operators; Toronto; On-site; CAD 139,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian financial services cooperative is seeking an AVP, Risk and Oversight to enhance risk management practices across retail sales. This role involves leading a team to improve internal controls and compliance processes while cultivating a risk management culture. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in financial services or insurance, supported by relevant education and professional designations. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package available.

Benefits

Training and development opportunities

Flexible work options

Paid volunteer days

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• 10+ years in financial services or insurance with strong audit/risk management background.
• Experience at an audit/consulting firm preferred.
• CPA, CIA, or Certified Fraud Examiner designation preferred.
• Proficient in English for non-Francophone groups.

Responsibilities

• Lead team for risk and oversight in retail sales.
• Promote internal controls and risk awareness.
• Manage market conduct issues and investigations.
• Deliver regular reporting on audit activities.

Skills

Audit or risk management expertise

Leadership and team development

Collaboration with enterprise partners

Knowledge of insurance products

Education

Degree in Finance, Business Administration, or Risk Management

Tools

Risk management techniques

Control frameworks

Job description

The Opportunity

We are a leading Canadian financial services cooperative committed to being a catalyst for a sustainable and resilient society and our team is essential to deliver on this strategy. That’s why we prioritize our people, to ensure we provide a strong culture and development opportunities which enables our team to thrive and to live our purpose. The best part is that you will work with people that care passionately about you, our clients, and our communities.

The AVP, Risk and Oversight, is responsible for leading a team that will : strengthen retail sales’ controls and oversight structure; promote internal controls, fraud and risk awareness, and evaluate related activities; monitoring / testing, identify opportunities for process and control improvements; monitor compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; safeguard assets, and share best practices throughout retail sales. This role is accountable to oversee Retail Sales’ execution of all Enterprise certification and compliance programs in the identification, testing and reporting of internal controls and provides regular reporting to senior management. In addition, the role is responsible for championing Business Continuity Planning (BCP) as well as the Enterprise Risk Management program within Retail Sales and oversight of building appropriate frameworks.

This leader will also lead a team responsible for oversight of Advisors and front-line staff (both Agency staff and corporate staff), and own market conduct escalations in instances of non-compliance. This leader will cultivate a culture of risk management across retail sales and support adherence with legal and regulatory risks as well as operational risks. This leader will work closely with leaders of risk areas across retail sales, as well as with Compliance, ERM, Privacy, and Internal Audit, within the context of the 3 lines of defense within Co-operators.

How you will create impact

• Lead and develop the RSS 1B Function; define team structure; oversee capacity planning and performance management
• Lead 1st line management’s response to 2LoD inquiries, Internal Audit reviews, regulatory examinations, and third-party assessments; set protocols for evidence preparation, timely, accurate responses, and remediation tracking to closure.
• Accountable for regular reporting that summarizes audit activity and issues / actions identified, highlighting the results of and opportunities to improve internal controls, processes and efficiency; critical issues will be emphasized along with analysis of trends in historical audit results over a 3–5-year period.
• Responsible for ensuring that all material weaknesses or changes in internal controls over financial reporting are disclosed ( ICFR reporting).
• High degree of collaboration and partnering with enterprise-wide partners including all product areas, in PCIS, CLIC, CFIS, Edge, Premier to ensure we continue to meet changing regulatory requirements, identify gaps and provide solutions.
• Establish and maintain the Advisor Oversight Programwiththe governance structure, roles and responsibilities, criteria, and oversight processes
• Manage the investigations and impact assessments of identified market conduct issues and risk events.
• Establish and oversee the market conduct remediation process, defining appropriate action plans, escalating material issues and risk events, and coordinating required communications to advisors and regulators.
• Lead and engage your team to deliver strategic objectives through effective coaching and mentoring, identifying and developing emerging talent, and fostering an innovative, collaborative, and agile culture.

How you will succeed

• You initiate new strategies to capitalize on opportunities and lead the implementation of organizational change.
• You integrate complex information to identify solutions or solve problems and apply a strategic mindset to adjust business plans.
• You foster innovation and continuous improvement with a focus on client experience.
• You create a high-performance culture through alignment of your team’s work with organizational goals and successfully convey messages with a sense of positive advocacy.
• You develop others to ensure the evolving needs of the organization will be met and build effective relationships to achieve key business objectives.

To join our team

• You have 10 yrs+ of progressive experience in financial services or insurance, with a strong background in audit or risk management
• Having previous experience working at an audit / consulting firm would be considered an asset
• You have completed a degree in a related field of study such as Finance, Business Administration or Risk Management
• A CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) or Certified Fraud Examiner designation would be preferred
• Thorough knowledge of risk management methodologies, ERM, business continuity, control frameworks and risk management techniques.
• Proven track record of successfully participating in regulatory audits.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of insurance products, distribution, licensing, operations and systems, and investments.
• You are an experienced people leader, well-skilled in developing, empowering and leading teams to successfully deliver on business objectives.
• Proven experience building and executing strategic plans and initiatives
• This position primarily works with majority non-francophone groups, and teams located outside of Québec, and requires proficiency in English. The essential non-French duties are not assignable to adjacent or other team members.

What you need to know

• You will travel regularly.
• You will be subject to a Background check as a condition of employment, in the event you are the successful candidate.

What’s in it for you?

• Training and development opportunities to grow your career.
• Flexible work options and paid time off to support your personal and family needs.
• A holistic approach to your well-being, with physical and mental health programs and a supportive workplace culture.
• Paid volunteer days to give back to your community.
• In addition to our competitive salary and incentive programs, eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive total rewards package including group retirement savings plans, pension and benefits (, health and wellness, dental, disability and life coverage), mental health support and an employee assistance program.

Expected Salary Range : $139, -$231,

• The salary amount for the successful candidate is determined by Co-operators in its discretion and will vary depending on several criteria including but not limited to : local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualification, experience and education.