Director, Strategy, Risk and Business Operations in Toronto

Join a Challenger. At EQ, we're remaking banking so every Canadian gets ahead, every day. Serving nearly 4 million Canadians from coast to coast, we offer a wide variety of financial services from banking and lending to trust and credit union solutions. We've been at this since 1970, challenging the conventions of traditional banking with smarter, faster, and more connected financial experiences.

The Work

Reporting to the VP, Decumulation, the Director, Strategy, Risk & Business Operations is responsible for leading the strategic planning, business performance and enablement, governance, and risk management functions for the Reverse Mortgage and Insurance Lending business. Acting as the operational and strategic leader to the VP, Decumulation, this role ensures the business maintains a robust risk and control environment while delivering on growth, profitability, and customer objectives.

The Director will oversee enterprise and business-specific risk activities including risk appetite monitoring, credit, operational, compliance, legal, conduct, model, and reputational risks. This leader will act as the primary liaison between the business and corporate Risk, Legal, Compliance, Finance, Audit, Governance, and other business-related risk functions such as Fraud Management while ensuring the business meets all regulatory, governance, and board reporting obligations.

In addition, the Director will lead annual strategic planning, financial forecasting, business performance management, executive and Board reporting, KPI development, enterprise initiatives, business enablement programs, and the development of new products and growth opportunities. The role requires a unique combination of strategic leadership, analytical rigor, operational execution, governance expertise, and cross-functional influence.

The Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Business Performance
  • Support the development and execution of the annual business strategy, operating plan, and growth priorities for the Reverse Mortgage business.
  • Own business performance management, including KPI development, executive dashboards, forecasting, and financial modeling.
  • Drive strategic business initiatives and investment decisions through business cases, market analysis, profitability assessments, and ongoing performance reporting.
• Risk Management & Governance
  • Own first-line risk management activities across credit, operational, compliance, legal, conduct, and reputational risk.
  • Act as the primary liaison between the business and Risk, Compliance, Legal, Audit, and other partners.
  • Lead program development activities such as the corporate RCM program, risk assessments, issue remediation, governance activities, and committee submissions while ensuring compliance with risk appetite and regulatory requirements.
• Credit Risk, Portfolio Analytics & Model Governance
  • Oversee LTV model governance, portfolio monitoring, stress testing, and scenario analysis to support risk management and strategic decision-making.
  • Partner with Credit Risk and Finance teams to monitor portfolio performance, concentration risks, and emerging trends.
• Executive, Board & Regulatory Reporting
  • Lead preparation of Board, Executive Committee, ERMC, and regulatory reporting packages.
  • Develop clear, data-driven insights and recommendations supporting strategic and risk-related decision-making.
• Business Enablement & Transformation
  • Lead cross-functional business transformation and operational improvement initiatives that enhance scale, efficiency, and customer outcomes.
  • Establish governance frameworks to prioritize, monitor, and measure strategic project delivery.
• New Product Development & Innovation
  • Lead strategic evaluation, business case development, and governance for new products and product enhancements.
  • Coordinate cross-functional assessments involving Risk, Finance, Credit, Legal, Compliance, Operations, and Technology.
• People Leadership
  • Lead, develop, and coach a high-performing team responsible for strategy, risk, analytics, and business operations.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Let’s Talk About You

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in strategy, risk management, business management, finance, consulting, or related leadership roles within financial services.
• Ideally has a mix of Consulting and financial industry experience.
• Deep understanding of credit risk, operational risk, compliance risk, governance frameworks, and financial services regulatory environments.
• Experience preparing Executive Committee, Board, and Risk Committee materials.
• Strong financial modeling, forecasting, and business case development experience.
• Experience leading strategic planning and enterprise transformation initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations and actionable insights.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with demonstrated ability to influence senior executives and cross-functional teams.
• Advanced proficiency in data analysis, KPI development, dashboard creation, and performance management.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

What we offer

• Competitive discretionary bonus
• Market leading RRSP match program
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits
• Employee Share Purchase Plan
• Maternity/Parental top-up while you care for your little one
• Generous vacation policy and personal days
• Virtual events to connect with your fellow colleagues
• Professional development and comprehensive Career Development program
• A fulfilling opportunity to join one of the top FinTechs and help create a new kind of banking experience

The incumbent will be working hybrid and in office time will be spent working from EQ Bank’s additional office space located at 2200-25 Ontario Street, Toronto, ON.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

EQ is committed to building an inclusive, accessible environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and supported. We believe our organization is stronger — and our people thrive — when we honour and celebrate diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives. We’re equally committed to supporting your growth, both professionally and personally.

We provide a barrier‑free recruitment process and work environment. If you require accommodations at any stage, we will work with you to ensure you can bring your best self to the process and beyond.

As part of our recruitment process, EQ uses AI to help screen, assess, and/or select applicants for this position. All AI-enabled outputs are reviewed and validated by our talent team. All candidates considered for hire must successfully complete a criminal background check and credit check. While we appreciate every application, an EQ recruiter will contact only those whose skills and experience most closely match the requirements of the role.