Director, Compliance Governance, Programs, and Reporting

Canada Life; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 128,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Health & Wellness

Time off

Financial security

Rewards and recognition

Community focus

Job summary

Canada Life in Toronto or London, Ontario, seeks a senior compliance leader to oversee governance, reporting, and risk management for the Canadian segment. You will drive the development and maintenance of the Compliance Management Framework and lead cross-functional teams to meet regulatory expectations.

The role focuses on risk appetite, policy alignment, and continuous improvement within a hybrid work model. A university degree and strong stakeholder skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 6–9+ years of progressive experience in compliance, risk management, or regulatory roles within a regulated financial services environment.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian regulatory expectations and experience applying those requirements in practice.
• Demonstrated ability to translate regulatory requirements into clear, executable compliance processes and controls.
• Experience designing, operating, or enhancing compliance management and frameworks that withstand regulatory scrutiny.
• Credible experience engaging with regulators, and senior executives in a clear, confident, and disciplined manner.
• Strong leadership, judgment, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to operate as a trusted advisor to senior leaders.
• University degree required; professional compliance or risk designations are an asset

Responsibilities

• Governance, strategy and regulatory alignment for compliance across the organization.
• Develop and evolve the Canadian Regulatory Compliance Management Framework including governance, standards and reporting.
• Oversee governance tools and strategies supporting policy management, risk acceptance and initiative oversight.
• Lead quarterly Canadian Risk Committee and Compliance reporting and ad hoc reports.
• Provide independent review and challenge of compliance programs and reporting to identify themes and risks.
• Support enterprise risk disclosures and change management within compliance programs.
• Lead a high-performing team and build cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Regulatory risk management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

University degree

Job description

Permanent Full Time

Reporting to the AVP Corporate Compliance, this role will be the key contact for Compliance reporting and governance for the Canadian segment. The role will work cross-functionally with Canada Risk and Compliance teams including 1st line to manage the planning and execution of work to deliver all reporting requirements and will play a key role in the development, evolution and maintenance of Compliance governance.

The role works closely with Business Partners and their teams, Global Risk & Compliance, Canada Risk & Compliance, and other Control Functions, as well as key stakeholders within business unit first line teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Compliance Governance, Strategy and Regulatory Alignment
• Manage and evolve the governance of Compliance across the organization through the development of strategies, tools, and processes aligned with OSFI E-13 and other applicable regulatory requirements
• Lead the development, maintenance and continual enhancement of the Canadian Regulatory Compliance Management Framework including governance structures, methodologies, standards, reporting processes and maturity assessments
• Responsible for the R&C governance tools and strategies that support Policy Management and Assurance, Risk Acceptance, and Initiative Oversight
• Participate in regulatory reviews or requests for information, as needed
• Reporting, Insights and Quality Management
• Manage and evolve the volume and complexity of quarterly Canadian Risk Committee and Compliance reporting, as well as other ad hoc reports as required
• Review feeder reports and analysis for quality and completeness, ensuring analysis is accurate, insightful, impactful, and includes clear calls to action
• Continuously review reporting deliverables to identify opportunities to innovate and streamline reporting activities and platforms
• Provide independent review and effective challenge of compliance program business partner, 1B, and other compliance reporting to identify emerging themes and risks, testing assumptions to articulate key stories, implications and requirement management action
• Risk Appetite, Risk Oversight and Enterprise Alignment
• Responsible for leading and evolving the Canadian division’s compliance with the Risk Appetite Framework, risk policies, operating standards, and guidelines
• Provide support and guidance for significant enterprise and divisional risk disclosures
• Continuous Improvement, Change and Program MaturitySuccessfully manage the approach and opportunities for development against the Compliance Continuous Improvement model by assigning maturity levels, monitoring performance, and reporting on results
• Engage others and support the implementation of change to enhance Compliance programs
• Stakeholder Relationships and Team Leadership
• Build, maintain, and leverage key relationships within Compliance and with internal business partners to help advance Compliance objectives
• Lead and develop a high-performing team by building capability, consistency, and a continuous improvement mindset

Key Capabilities Required

• Drives innovation and continuous improvement by challenging the status quo, encouraging creative thinking, and moving initiatives forward while balancing customer and business priorities
• Applies strategic thinking by developing ideas and approaches that respond to changing environments, anticipate future challenges, and support long-term business objectives
• Demonstrates strong judgment and execution through effective problem solving, timely decision-making, appropriate escalation, and a focus on delivering meaningful results for stakeholders
• Builds strong relationships and communicates effectively by engaging stakeholders with a direct, positive, and inclusive approach that keeps initiatives, strategies, and business priorities on track
• Demonstrates effective challenge skills by asking meaningful questions, identifying what matters most, connecting information across sources, translating complex issues into meaningful executive insights and management actions
• Deep understanding of regulatory compliance management frameworks, governance structures, risk appetite frameworks and program maturity models

What You Bring

• 6–9+ years of progressive experience in compliance, risk management, or regulatory roles within a regulated financial services environment
• Strong knowledge of Canadian regulatory expectations and experience applying those requirements in practice
• Demonstrated ability to translate regulatory requirements into clear, executable compliance processes and controls
• Experience designing, operating, or enhancing compliance management and frameworks that withstand regulatory scrutiny
• Credible experience engaging with regulators, and senior executives in a clear, confident, and disciplined manner
• Strong leadership, judgment, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to operate as a trusted advisor to senior leaders
• University degree required; professional compliance or risk designations are an asset

Given the size and scope of our organization, we have the flexibility for this position to be located in the following head office locations: London, Toronto or Winnipeg. This role follows a hybrid work model, with an in-office presence required three days per week.

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).

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 who 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