Title:  Asset Management 1st Line Risk Specialist

Location: London (City)

Our solutions

Each of our offerings has been built for a purpose, whether it sits at the core of a portfolio to provide long-term growth or to offer access into a specific global market. Our 40-year plus history as asset managers means we have the expertise to provide high quality multi-asset and risk-profiled solutions as well as attractive equity, fixed income, alternative funds, and real estate finance. 

Our heritage

Our parent company, Great-West Lifeco, is a financially strong and stable global organisation, with total assets under administration of £1,800bn and approximately 33,250 employees worldwide, as at 31 December 2024. We also have more than 31 million customers worldwide. As the oldest Canadian life assurance company, Great-West Lifeco’s foundations trace back to 1847 – meaning we’ve been helping our customers plan for the future for more than 170 years.

Our team

Canada Life Asset Management has over 100 colleagues and includes more than 50 experienced investment professionals, with almost 20 years' average industry experience and ten years' average tenure at Canada Life Asset Management (CLAM). We are seeking an Investment Governance and Risk Officer to join the Investments team within CLAM, based in the firm’s London office.

Job Summary 

Support the Senior Investment Governance and 1st Line Risk Manager to develop and maintain an effective 1st Line risk and control environment in line with the ERM Framework, with value add reporting processes into relevant governance forums.

This includes the coordination and aggregation of 1st Line Asset Management risk reporting on key risk management processes such as risk events, key risk indicators, RCSA, operational risk scenario analysis, emerging risks, risk acceptance and issues and actions.

The role will also help support the ICARA process and reporting.

Maintain an in-depth business knowledge and authority to support Asset Management on risk related matters. 

In close co-operation with the 2nd Line risk management team, provide the Asset Management team with expert risk advice, facilitating effective and appropriate risk management, encouraging an appropriate risk culture and delivering fair outcomes within risk appetite.

What You’ll Do 

Risk and Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) - Responsible for supporting the business in aspects of key risk identification, monitoring and reporting activities. This includes the following activities: 

• Support the 1st Line Business by making sure all material risk & controls are recorded and assessed using a Risk System provided by the 2nd Line Risk Function. This should cover all risk categories (within the Risk Universe), as well as emerging and reputational risks, and risks arising from change activities or key initiatives. Ensure risks outside tolerance and weak or deficient controls are managed appropriately, have documented issues and actions in place and appropriate governance as defined within supporting Standards
• Ensure risk indicators (Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and Risk Indicators (RIs)) and associated tolerances are in place, agreed with 1st Line Business Management and the 2nd Line Risk & Compliance Function, and maintained within the Risk System to ensure timely escalation and reporting.  Provide confirmation that key risks identified in RCSA reporting are monitored through aligned KRIs and control assessments, ensuring that the business are guided on remedial activities and reporting/escalation processes.
• Support Asset Management in completing an RCSA assessment and report
• Ensure Risk Events are recorded, assessed and escalated in line with the Risk Event Standard
• Ensure BPD inventory and documentation remains up to date
• Review the 1st Line adherence to key process requirements and governance controls, escalating issues as required.
  
  

Governance and Reporting - Provide updates and input to reporting into relevant management level committees and the CLAM Board. Maintain regular meetings (at least quarterly) with Asset Management SMEs. Attend relevant management and business working groups, as required. 

ICARA – Support in the coordination and production of the annual documentation of the ICARA, including operational risk scenarios. 

Advice – Provide 1st Line risk support on forthcoming business changes/projects 

Policy Management/Attestation - Facilitate and manage the annual attestation to applicable policy requirements. 

Who You Are

• Knowledge of Asset Management products and services
• Familiar with risk governance practices and processes, as part of a wider enterprise risk management framework and associated regulations
• Exposure to the management of operational risks and the various approaches to monitor and report on operational risks.
• Experience of embedding and maintaining an enterprise risk management framework.
• Experience in managing and providing risk oversight activities at a business level.
• Ability to present advice in a clear, timely and focused way.
• Ability to take a risk-based approach to organising workloads for self to meet demanding and often changing priorities, ensuring that key deadlines are met.
• Robust analytical and report writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing and stakeholder management skills up to and including senior/executive management level.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, Business Unit leadership teams and other governance functions.

Qualifications

Desirable:

• Degree level qualification or recognised industry /professional qualification
  
  

Benefits of working at Canada Life

We believe in recognising and rewarding our people, so we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that’s regularly reviewed. As a Canada Life UK colleague, you’ll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including a generous pension and bonus scheme, along with, income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance.  We have a fantastic number of other benefits and support services as well as regular personal and professional development.

How we work at Canada Life

Our culture is unique and incredibly important to us.  We care about doing the right thing for our people, customers and community and helping others to build better futures.  Our blueprint behaviours shape and influence how we work, and are central to the relationships we have with others.  Every day we are encouraged to be more curious, own the outcome, face into things together and find a way forward. 

We want colleagues to have rewarding careers with us so we invest in the development of our people, technology and workplaces. That’s why we offer a range of training, flexible working and opportunities to grow and develop.

Diversity and inclusion

Building an inclusive workplace with a diverse workforce where everyone can feel they belong and achieve their potential regardless of gender, ethnicity or any other characteristic is a key commitment for us.  We are proud of the progress we’re making in DEI, and we continue for it to be a significant focus. 

“At Canada Life we believe in the power of great people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives coming together to build better futures. Emerging talent is crucial to our growth and creating an environment that continues to inspire us all.”  Nick Harding, Chief People Officer, Canada Life UK

We appreciate that everyone has different work and life responsibilities. We’re happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, including part time, for any of our roles should this be a requirement for you.