Full Time Permanent Contract position
Hybrid role based in our City Centre offices

What we offer
We have embraced a hybrid working model for most of our positions, which means that you can enjoy a balanced approach of working from home for part of the week and working from the office for the remainder of the week.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including competitive salaries and bonuses, robust Learning and Development support, excellent Defined Contribution pension and comprehensive Wellbeing initiatives and support to name but a few.

Further details on our benefits package can be accessed here Benefits (life-careers.com)

Role Overview

We are seeking an Operational Risk Specialist to work on a full-time permanent basis in our Dublin office.

The role offers an excellent opportunity for a motivated candidate to develop and strengthen their operational risk expertise within a dynamic and evolving reinsurance environment across CRS (Capital & Risk Solutions). Operating within the second line of defence, you will play a key role in supporting core operational risk activities across CRS, contributing to regulatory‑driven initiatives, and assisting with the implementation of Lifeco frameworks and standards.

This role sits within the CRS Risk team and reports to our Operational Risk & Risk Governance Manager, CRS. You will work closely with colleagues across Risk and Compliance and will have regular engagement with senior management in CRS, reinsurance risk teams in Dublin, Toronto and Barbados, as well as operational risk functions across Lifeco and Europe. The role involves interaction with CRS employees in Canada, Dublin, Barbados, Bluebell USA and Bermuda.

Responsibilities

As Operational Risk Specialist, this role will involve:

Supporting the CRS operational risk management framework, including providing guidance, training and education to stakeholders on operational risk requirements and expectations.
Contributing to the delivery and rollout of Lifeco‑led initiatives across both CRS and Canada Life Reinsurance Ireland dac (CLReI), including new or updated frameworks, policies, methodologies and regulatory‑driven developments (e.g. OSFI E21).
Supporting the planning, execution and tracking of annual CRS Risk Function activities and action plans, ensuring timely and accurate delivery.
Maintaining and updating CRS and Reinsurance Division Risk Charters and Mandates, ensuring alignment with evolving governance and regulatory expectations.
Supporting compliance monitoring and reporting on risk policies, escalating issues as appropriate.
Supporting the co‑ordination of the quarterly Reinsurance Division Operational Risk Committee, including preparation and collation of meeting materials, tracking of deliverables, and management of follow‑up actions.
Providing support to the Operational Risk & Risk Governance Manager, CRS and the CLReI CRO on the oversight of operational risk, including risks relating to data, cyber, IT, business continuity, processes and third parties.
Assisting with the preparation of operational risk assessments and reporting, including RCA updates, operational risk scenario analysis and thematic reporting.
Preparing operational risk reports for GWL Lifeco and CRS and contributing to the development and completion of operational risk reporting for CLReI.

What you'll need to be successful in the role

The ideal candidate will have:

Experience in audit, operational risk or another internal controls-related role.
Minimum three years of experience in financial services, preferably in insurance or reinsurance.
Well-developed verbal and written communication skills, and in particular, an ability to effectively communicate complex concepts.
A minimum of an honours bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Business, Accounting, Risk Management, or a closely related discipline.
Assertive, self-motivated with the capacity to work autonomously, as part of a team and across teams.
Experience of effectively balancing and delivering on competing priorities.
Competent user of MS Excel, MS Word and MS PowerPoint.
Excellent attention to detail and high integrity.
Champions simplification and efficiency, continuously seeking ways to improve processes and outcome.

About us

Canada Life Reinsurance (CL Re) is a division of Great-West Lifeco Inc. (Lifeco) and a leading provider of client focused reinsurance solutions in the United States, Europe and, more recently, Asia. CL Re offers a range of innovative risk and capital management solutions covering mortality, longevity, health, lapse, investment, non-life and P&C risk for insurers, reinsurers, and pension funds. CL Re is continuing to expand the reinsurance solutions it offers to new and existing clients in many global markets.

CL Re has offices in Dublin, Toronto, Philadelphia, Bermuda, Barbados, and Regina. The Dublin office is the base for CL Re’s European and Asian operations as well as the Irish reinsurance entity, Canada Life Re Ireland dac (CLReI). It comprises approximately 160 reinsurance professionals, including 115 actuaries and trainee actuaries. It is a proactive, inspiring, and friendly environment where talent and hard work are recognised and rewarded.

Lifeco and its companies have approximately $3.3 trillion in consolidated assets under administration and a capital ratio (LICAT) of 131% (as at 30/09/2025).

As a Company we are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and reach their full potential.

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 Reinsurance by Recruitment Agencies will not be accepted for this role.

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.

Operational Risk Specialist

Benefits

Job Description