Manager Business Continuity Risk Management

The Canada Life Assurance Company • Toronto, ON

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for a Manager, Business Continuity Risk Management (Canada) to support the effective execution, oversight, and ongoing maturity of operational risk and resilience activities within our Canadian businesses. This role is primarily accountable for overseeing and enabling adherence to the enterprise Business Continuity Risk Management (BCRM) programs, ensuring they are effectively implemented across Canadian business units in alignment with the Enterprise BCRM framework, regulatory expectations, and local business realities. Reporting to the Director Business Continuity Risk Management, this role plays a key advisory and 2nd Line oversight function for Emergency Response (ER), Incident & Crisis Management (ICM), Business Continuity (BC), and Technology Resiliency (TR) risks collectively referred to as Business Continuity Risk Management (BCRM). While focused on BCRM, this role will also provide opportunities to take on oversight responsibilities across BCRM, Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) and other operational risks. This reflects the interconnected nature of our Operational Risk and Resilience team which includes BCRM, TPRM, fraud, integrity, security, and other operational risk domains. The successful candidate will provide independent challenge, governance, thought leadership, and insightful reporting to senior management and risk committees.

Requirements

• Post‑secondary education or equivalent experience, preferably in business, risk management, finance, or compliance disciplines
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in financial services or a regulated environment with accountability for operational risk
• Experience in Emergency Response, Crisis Management, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery within a 1st or 2nd Line of Defence role
• Demonstrated experience designing or enhancing risk management programs and processes, including risk identification, measurement, management, monitoring, reporting, and oversight
• Strong understanding of risk management, control environments, and governance structures
• Experience providing independent challenge and stakeholder advisory at senior levels
• Ability to evaluate policies, processes, and systems to identify risk and control gaps and propose pragmatic solutions
• Proven strength in building relationships, influencing outcomes, and navigating complexity across diverse stakeholder groups
• Excellent analytical, verbal, and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple initiatives concurrently
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Copilot)

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Third Party, Physical Security, and Operational risk management is valuable
• Industry professional accreditation / certification is an asset (i.e. CBCI, AMBCI, MBCI, FBCI, ABCP, CBCP, MBCP) and experience with ISO 22301

Responsibilities

• Perform 2nd Line independent oversight and challenge of 1st Line Emergency Response, Incident & Crisis Management, Business Continuity and Technology Resiliency (includes Disaster Recovery) risk processes, controls, and remediation activities, and practices for Business Continuity Risk Management
• Perform independent monitoring of compliance with the Business Continuity Risk Management Policy and operating standards for Emergency Response, Incident & Crisis Management, Business Continuity and Technology Resiliency
• Partner with 1st Line stakeholders to promote a strong risk culture, providing training, guidance and support in the development and maturation of Business Continuity Risk Management processes
• Review internal and external business disruption risk trends, current and emerging risks, and the BCRM risk profile, proactively recommending enhancements to framework and risk management activities
• Provide subject matter expertise and independent advice on business disruption risk concerns, including incident response processes, supporting enterprise risk management programs and assessments, including Risk and Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs), initiative and change assessments, and issues management processes
• Oversee reporting, providing clear and concise risk insights for senior management and risk committees
• Partner with 2nd Line stakeholders, including global Operational Risk and Resilience and other risk SMEs, to drive continuous enhancement of risk frameworks, contribute to updates to risk appetite, and strengthen reporting and oversight processes
• Take on expanded oversight responsibilities over time, including opportunities to oversee Third Party, Physical Security, and other operational risk domains, ensuring alignment with global frameworks

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree