Director, AI Business Risk

Canada Life; London; On-site; CAD 128,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Health & wellness benefits

Time off and volunteer programs

Financial security and pension

Rewards and recognition

Community and ERGs

Job summary

Canada Life seeks a Director, AI Business Risk to lead responsible AI risk and governance across the enterprise. You will work with Technology, Legal, Privacy and Compliance to ensure AI use cases are well controlled, documented and aligned with policy and risk appetite.

You will translate enterprise AI policies into practical controls, support second‑line reviews and audits, and mentor teams in risk management. This is a permanent, full‑time role with a competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in a relevant field as listed in the posting.
• Experience in AI governance, risk management and controls.
• Ability to translate AI risk into practical governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI risk and control activities with planning and stakeholder communication.
• Coordinate AI use case inputs including operational readiness and controls.
• Participate in project gating as AI SME.
• Identify AI-specific control gaps and support remediation.
• Prepare for AI second‑line reviews, audits and regulatory reviews.
• Translate policies into practical requirements and controls.
• Monitor regulatory guidance and coordinate required changes.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Legal, Privacy and Technology Risk teams.
• Support attestations, risk assessments and remediation updates.
• Advise teams exploring or operating AI-enabled capabilities.
• Promote responsible AI accountability and education.
• Support risk education adoption and governance routines.
• Drive responsible innovation balancing customer outcomes and ethics.

Skills

AI governance

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Stakeholder influence

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, commerce, risk management, law, CS, engineering, maths or related field

Master's degree or AI/privacy/risk certifications (assets)

Job description

Permanent Full Time

The Director, AI Business Risk helps the business adopt artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly while managing operational, regulatory, customer and conduct risks. This role leads business-owned AI risk and control activities, embeds AI governance expectations into day-to-day processes, and supports the delivery of AI-enabled capabilities in line with enterprise policies, standards, risk appetite and our code of conduct.

You will work closely with business leaders and partners in Technology, Data, Legal, Privacy, Compliance and Risk to help ensure AI use cases are well controlled, documented, monitored and ready for review.

What you will do:

• Lead the delivery of business AI risk and control activities, including planning, prioritization and stakeholder communication.
• Coordinate business input for AI use cases, including process and customer impacts, operational readiness, control requirements and post-implementation learnings.
• Participate in project gating as the AI subject matter expert.
• Work with Business Risk and Controls teams to identify AI-specific control gaps, support remediation plans, and expedite material risks or unresolved issues through established governance channels.
• Help prepare the business for AI specific second‑line reviews, internal audits, regulatory reviews, and other independent challenges by maintaining clear, timely, and complete records.
• Translate enterprise AI policies, standards, compliance requirements and risk appetite expectations into practical business requirements and controls.
• Monitor relevant legal, ethical, regulatory, and enterprise guidance and coordinate required business changes.
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, Privacy, Technology Risk, Data, Business Risk and Control teams and other risk partners to resolve questions and align business practices with enterprise expectations.
• Support AI‑related business attestations, risk assessments, control testing inputs, and remediation updates.
• Advise business teams that explore, implement or operate AI‑enabled capabilities.
• Help leaders and employees understand responsible AI accountabilities and escalation paths.
• Partner with risk, Business Risk and Controls learning and business teams to support role‑based responsible AI education and adoption.
• Promote responsible innovation that considers customer outcomes, ethical impacts, operational resilience, and regulatory expectations.

What you will bring:

• Significant experience in business risk and controls, operations, compliance, privacy, technology risk, data governance, AI governance, or a related field.
• Experience supporting the business adoption of AI, data analytics, automation, or other technology‑enabled capabilities.
• Experience designing, operating or monitoring first‑line controls and supporting the remediation of risk or compliance issues.
• Strong working knowledge of AI, machine learning, data governance, model risk concepts, and responsible AI practices.
• The ability to translate emerging AI risks into practical business controls and governance routines.
• Experience advising senior stakeholders and influencing cross‑functional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex AI, risk, and control topics in plain language.
• Leadership experience gained through people leadership, project leadership or leading through influence.
• An understanding of Canadian financial services operations, risk expectations and compliance obligations.
• A bachelor's degree in business, commerce, risk management, law, computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, or a related field.

Assets:

• A master's degree or specialized education in AI, data, privacy, risk, compliance, business transformation or responsible technology.
• An Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals, or a similar responsible AI, privacy, risk, compliance or control designation.

The base salary for this position is between $128,200- $178,200 annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation ( i.e. annual bonus, commission etc). If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.

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 Canada Life

We’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the financial, physical and mental well‑being of Canadians. Our company is trusted by 1 in 3 Canadians and contributes to the strength of communities across the country.

We’re looking for people who live our values everyday: we step up, we do the right thing, and we deliver – for our customers, communities and each other. Are you someone who always strives to do the right thing, who steps up for themselves and others, and delivers with impact? Then we want to hear from you!

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 additionalinvestment 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 Canada Life.

We’re committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact [e-mail]. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Canada Life policies.

Canada Life would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.