Canada Life Assurance Europe plc (‘CLE’) is a dynamic insurance company with over 700 people across our offices in Germany and Ireland. We have been operating in Germany since 2000 and have established a fast-growing presence in one of the world’s largest and most established markets. We specialise in providing innovative unit-linked pension, savings, and protection solutions and have become a trusted partner for life insurance products distributed through independent brokers. It is our priority to support our customers at every stage of life with the best products and service, tailored to their needs - and we’re doing it all in a culture that promotes equality and inclusion for all of our current and future employees.

Role Overview

We are seeking an ambitious, dynamic and talented Senior Operational Risk Manager to join our Risk and Compliance Function as a key member of the second line of defence.

The role will initially have a primary focus on oversight of the Operational Risk Management Framework. Over time, reflecting the interconnected nature of non financial risks and an evolving regulatory environment, the scope of the role may broaden across operational risk disciplines and emerging risk areas.

The function is responsible for independent risk oversight of all risk taking activities across the company.

What you will help us to achieve

In this role, you will:

• Lead and develop a team of operational risk professionals across Ireland and Germany, helping them achieve and contribute to their maximum potential.
• Own and continuously enhance the Operational Risk Management Framework (including policies, standards, indicators, limits and controls), working in close partnership with the business and Risk & Compliance leads to ensure it is embedded, practical and effective across the organisation.
• Work closely with Risk and business SMEs to challenge and validate risk assessments, including RCSAs, risk events, audit points, control frameworks and scenarios.
• Provide effective second line challenge and oversight of operational risk identification and assessment processes, including RCSAs, key risk indicators, control frameworks, audit findings and compliance with risk appetite.
• Oversee operational risk events, scenario analysis and root cause reviews, ensuring timely escalation, clear ownership, effective remediation and organisational learning.
• Provide independent second line oversight and advice across wider operational risk and regulatory topics, recognising the increasing interdependencies between frameworks, technology, third party arrangements and regulatory expectations.
• Lead the preparation and delivery of high quality operational risk reporting and papers for senior management, Board Risk Committee and other governance forums, ensuring clarity, insight and effective decision making.
• Chair or lead Operational Risk Committees and Working Groups as required, and contribute to wider risk governance forums across the organisation.
• Support the Head of Non Financial Risk and Governance and the Chief Risk Officer in Board engagement and regulatory facing operational risk reporting.
• Support the production of the Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) report.
• Represent CLE at CLG and Lifeco operational risk groups, collaborating with group companies to develop, enhance and embed operational risk frameworks and reporting processes.
• Contribute to special projects and investigations, often with high visibility and impact, including initiatives arising from regulatory change, business transformation or emerging operational risks.
• Represent the function credibly with senior management and Board level stakeholders, providing clear, well reasoned insight, constructive challenge and advice to support sound decision making.
• Travel occasionally to Germany to work with colleagues and stakeholders there.

This is a high impact role where you will have a real voice in how operational risk is managed across CLE and within the wider Great West Lifeco Group.

What you will need to be successful in the role

The successful candidate will ideally have:
• Degree and/or professional qualification in a relevant technical discipline (e.g. actuarial, accountancy, audit, risk management).
• Significant experience in risk, audit or other control functions, ideally within complex financial services or regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of regulatory expectations and operational risk practices, with the ability to operate across interconnected risk topics in a fast-evolving environment.
• Proven ability to analyse complex issues and propose simple, workable solutions.
• Positive attitude to change and comfort working in a dynamic operational and regulatory landscape.
• Experience managing and influencing multi-disciplinary stakeholders at all levels of the organisation, including senior management, executive and board level.
• Energy, curiosity, creativity, and resilience in day-to-day interactions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong planning and organisation skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities under time pressure.
• Fluency in German is highly desirable but not essential

The company reserves the right to draw up a shortlist as part of the selection process. Where Agency assistance is required the Canada Life Recruitment Team will engage directly with suppliers. Unsolicited CVs / profiles supplied to Canada Life by Recruitment Agencies will not be accepted for this role.

Even if you don’t see yourself reflected in every job requirement listed on the posting above, we encourage you to reach out and apply if you feel you are a good fit for the role. We are committed to creating a more equitable, inclusive and diverse company, and we strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation and life experiences to apply.

Canada Life Group Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer. We have created an environment of inclusion and growth to help people achieve their potential, to ensure they can bring their whole selves to work and to feel valued. We celebrate diversity of thought and perspective and want all of our employees to feel valued, respected and supported. We have built a culture that promotes equality and inclusion for all of our current and future employees and strive to ensure that our behaviours, processes and practices are aligned to this culture.

If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process please contact lifecareers@irishlife.ie and we will be delighted to ensure you are fully supported to be your best.

CLGS supports Equal Opportunity and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Senior Operational Risk Manager

Job Description