Senior Governance Manager, Distribution Governance & Oversight

IVARI•Toronto, ON

1d•CA$98,000 - CA$132,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is a new vacancy. Reporting to the AVP, Distribution Governance & Oversight, Senior Governance Manager, Distribution Governance & Oversight you will play a key role within the 1B team which is part of the First Line of Defence supporting the Sales Distribution function. You will be responsible for designing and executing governance and oversight frameworks that enable effective risk & compliance outcomes across distribution channels, including third-party partners such as MGAs.

Requirements

Minimum 8 years of experience in financial services (insurance preferred)
Experience in governance, risk management, compliance, or control oversight
Experience with controls testing, compliance reviews, or audit support
Strong understanding of Canadian regulatory requirements and risk frameworks
Experience working within or alongside a Three Lines of Defence model
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
Ability to translate complex concepts into clear recommendations and strategic enablers
Strong prioritization and execution discipline
Excellent stakeholder management and collaboration skills
Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
Experience with Microsoft 365 tools (Teams, SharePoint, MS Lists)
Familiarity with workflow automation tools (e.g., Power Automate)
Ability to leverage digital tools to improve workflow, reporting and governance

Nice To Haves

Exposure to AI tools (e.g., Copilot)
Experience with distributor or third-party models (e.g., MGAs)
Knowledge of Canadian life insurance distribution practices
Bilingualism (English/French)
Industry certifications (LLQP, CFP, IFIC/IFSE, CRM, CAMS/CRCM)

Responsibilities

Lead governance and oversight activities across assigned distribution channels
Design and maintain control frameworks, programs, SOPs, and governance routines
Conduct risk assessments (operational, regulatory, compliance, third-party, and change risks)
Execute controls testing, compliance reviews, and oversight programs
Support internal and external audits and track remediation activities to completion
Partner with Compliance, Risk, Legal, and Audit to ensure alignment
Lead or contribute to governance initiatives, projects and strategic programs
Provide structured reporting on risks, controls, and key outcomes
Analyze trends and identify emerging risks, providing actionable insights
Collaborate with business stakeholders to reinforce ownership of risk and controls
Identify and implement process improvements to enhance governance effectiveness
Support learning initiatives and promote the Three Lines of Defence model
Serve as a key advisor to Sales VPs & Managing Directors, providing strategic guidance on risk, controls, and improvements
Develop and deliver compliant best-practice guidance and external-facing presentations to distributors, partners or industry stakeholders
Stay current on regulatory developments, pro-actively translating into actionable guidance for the business
Represent the organization externally, including industry forums, regulatory committees, or working groups (where applicable).