Title:  Operational Resilience Senior Business Partner

Location: Hybrid role based ideally in our UK offices in Potters Bar, London or our Dublin 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. Some benefits may depend on location.   

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.

Role Overview
This new role will be responsible for second line oversight of Operational Resilience for Europe. In this role, you will have the opportunity to help develop and implement the vision and future roadmap for second line business partnering and oversight across the European business segment that reflects and supports the current and future needs of the organisation.

Team Background
Technology Risk and Operational Resilience Oversight is at an important stage in its evolution, following the introduction of the new first line Technology Risk and Security team operating model within the newly formed Office of the CIO (OCIO), Europe.  The first line team is taking ownership of the development and coordination of technology risk and information security operations activities. The OCIO team is also accountable for coordinating Business Continuity Management, Emergency Response, Incident Management, and technology resilience processes and standards framework.  The second line team has been realigned in terms of accountabilities, resources, and capabilities to deliver its mandate for impactful challenge, oversight and business partnership across technology, information security and operational resilience activities of the European businesses. 

What you will help us to achieve
Reporting to the Technology Risk & Operational Resilience Officer, Europe, you will lead second line oversight
of operational resilience for Europe.  You will help develop and implement the vision and future roadmap for second line support of operational resilience across the European business segment that reflects and supports the current and future needs of the organisation. This will involve significant senior level engagement and stakeholder management across multiple functions and lines of business in Europe and with Lifeco (in Canada).

More specific responsibilities will include
Leadership: 

• Develop and communicate a clear long-term vision for operational resilience.
• Provide influential advice for risk-based decisions and regulatory compliance.
• Act as a thought leader and subject matter expert.
• Ensure effective communication with stakeholders.

Strategy & Planning:

• Develop strategies with leadership to address operational resilience risks.
• Support the development of a comprehensive resilience strategy.
• Foster relationships internally and externally to understand market trends.
• Provide strategic advice and build partnerships across multiple groups.

Resiliency Management and Executive Engagement:

• Challenge and advise on policies and standards for resilience management.
• Report on resilience status and escalate concerns as needed.
• Conduct deep dive reviews and provide analysis on emerging threats.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to implement reliable reporting methods.

Governance and Operations:

• Ensure effective executive forums for resilience governance.
• Oversee operational resilience standards and procedures.
• Support funding and initiatives for resilience efforts.
• Drive continuous improvement in operational activities.
• Support engagement with regulators to demonstrate effective resilience management.

What you will need to be successful in the role

The ideal candidate will have/be:

• Deep understanding of operational resilience frameworks and best practices.
• Proven track record in leading operational resilience in large corporations.
• Experience developing and applying resilience frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of European and UK regulatory matters, with Canadian knowledge as a bonus.
• Experience using market trends and technology innovation for practical applications. 
• Experience in presenting to executives, boards, and regulators.

Key Competencies
Strategy Based Capabilities 

• Stakeholder Focus - Consider key stakeholder needs to make timely decisions that drive superior and sustainable business and financial results
• Drive Business Growth & Resilience - Focus on areas of growth, applying an enterprise mindset, considering the external environment to seize emerging opportunities and address challenges

People Based Capabilities

• Developing High Performing Teams - Actively build and develop a diverse team and create an inclusive environment where people can thrive
• Build Collaborative Partnerships - Build strong collaborative partnerships across the business

Performance based Capabilities 

• Deliver Performance & Value - Lead with operational excellence to most efficiently and effectively drive the delivery of results
• Lead The Way Forward - Inspire a vision, articulate meaningful expectations, and clear pathways to desired outcomes. Is able to quickly adapt to new realities even in the face of ambiguity and uncertainty

Risk Control and Regulatory Environment 

• Builds and maintains a culture that fosters the integration of risk and controls into the business.
•  Ensures their people understand the risks in the area for which they are responsible and ensure that appropriate controls are in place, monitored and reviewed regularly

Commercial Awareness 

• Has an in-depth understanding of the drivers of growth and profit in the business. Manages costs effectively and has a clear view on how best to maximise the potential of their business

Fitness & Probity
This role is a ‘controlled function’ as defined by the Central Bank Reform Act 2010 Regulations 2011. Any appointment will be conditional on the company being satisfied that the appointee meets the requirements as set out in the Fitness and Probity standards issued by the Central Bank. This requires the company to complete prescribed due diligence to assess the appointee’s fitness and probity. Further details on this due diligence process are available from Human Resources.

About us
The Canada Life Group (UK) Limited (‘CLG’) is the top-level European holding company for the Great-West’s Lifeco Group’s European insurance, reinsurance, and asset management companies, with business operations in the UK, Ireland, Germany and the Isle of Man. CLG’s corporate objectives include providing management oversight of European Group business strategies and the risks that such strategies entail.  Technology Risk and Operational Resilience Oversight sits within Canada Life Group and is accountable for independent “Second line of Defence” oversight of technology, cyber security and operational resilience activities across all European entities including Irish Life Group, Canada Life UK and Canada Life Europe. There are 13 distinct IT units, each of which has its own individual set of technology platforms. CLGS supports Equal Opportunity and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.