Head of Data - Canada Life Reinsurance
Dublin, IE
Full Time Permanent 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
This is a critical new leadership role with responsibility for shaping and delivering CLRe’s global data and AI agenda. Working across a complex global reinsurance business, the Head of Data will define, build and deliver a modern data and AI value-led capability from first principles, aligned to the business strategy and regulatory environment. The Head of Data will establish a scalable, trusted and business-led data function, enabling improved decision-making, efficiency, control and growth. This includes defining the data and AI strategy, contributing to the construction of the target operating model, and delivering practical, high-value use cases that demonstrate measurable impact across all aspects of the business.
Reporting directly to the VP, Head of Operations and Technology, with a mandate sponsored by the CLRe Executive leadership team, the individual will work in close partnership with Actuarial, Finance, ALM, Pricing, Operations and HR. The role will involve international travel.
Scope
• Build and lead a high-performing Data & AI team, with responsibility to scale over time
• Matrix leadership across business division, influencing senior stakeholders and divisional leads
• Close collaboration with key stakeholders across CLRe’s global leadership teams and regions (Technology, Actuarial, Finance, ALM, Pricing, Operations and HR)
• Engagement with Group / Regional Data & AI leadership
Key Accountabilities
Data & AI Strategy and Vision
• Define a practical, multi-year data and AI strategy aligned to CLRe’s business priorities
• Translate complex business needs into a clear, phased data and AI agenda, balancing quick wins with longer-term capability building
• Work with the business to identify and prioritise the domains where data and AI will matter most (e.g. Actuarial, Finance, Risk, Operations)
• Ensure alignment with Group / Regional data and technology strategies
Data Foundations and Control
• Assess the current data landscape, including quality, risks, dependencies and technical constraints
• Define and implement a phased plan to improve data architecture, quality, consistency and reliability
• Establish data ownership, stewardship and accountability frameworks across the organisation
• Develop core data management capabilities, including metadata, lineage and data catalogue
• Identify and remediate key data risks, control gaps and legacy dependencies, ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations
Value Delivery and Benefits Realisation
• Define and embed a value-led prioritisation framework for data & AI initiatives
• Build and deliver an initial portfolio of high-impact use cases that demonstrate tangible business outcomes, and ROI
• Ensure clear business ownership and accountability for benefits
• Track and report realised value (e.g. efficiency, cost reduction, revenue enablement, risk reduction)
• Scale proven use cases across the organisation, with repeatable delivery patterns and playbooks
Data Platform and Technology Direction
• Define the target data architecture and platform strategy, aligned to enterprise standards
• Lead technology selection decisions (where required), including evaluation criteria and vendor engagement
• Ensure a scalable, secure and cost-effective data platform foundation (e.g. cloud, data hub, integration)
• Balance pragmatic reuse of existing capabilities with targeted investment
AI Enablement and Responsible Adoption
• Define a clear and practical AI ambition, aligned to business priorities and risk appetite
• Identify and deliver well-governed AI use cases that enhance productivity, insight and decision-making
• Establish safe environments for experimentation, prototyping and learning
• Ensure robust and proportionate frameworks for AI governance, transparency, privacy and human oversight
• Integrate AI capabilities into core business workflows, not standalone tools
• Define AI standards and patterns (model lifecycle, monitoring, human‑in‑the‑loop) to support repeatable adoption
Operating Model and Capability Build
• Design and implement the data & AI operating model, including structure, roles and ways of working
• Establish a federated model balancing central expertise with domain ownership
• Define demand management, prioritisation and delivery governance processes
• Build and lead a high-performing, scalable Data & AI team, including hiring, development and performance management
• Ensure effective integration with Group / Regional data and technology capabilities
Stakeholder Engagement and Change
• Partner closely with senior stakeholders across business and functional areas
• Translate complex data and AI concepts into clear, business-relevant outcomes
• Build trust and credibility in data and AI through practical delivery and transparency
• Lead organisational change to embed data-driven decision making
• Design and deliver a data literacy and AI capability uplift programme across the organisation
• Establish consistent stakeholder routines (SteerCo cadence, communications, engagement) to drive adoption and decisions
Governance and Regulatory Alignment
• Establish proportionate and effective data governance, controls and risk frameworks
• Ensure alignment with relevant data protection, regulatory and compliance requirements (e.g. EU-AI Act, model governance)
• Support internal and external audit, regulatory engagement, and control assurance processes
• Ensure data and AI initiatives are delivered in line with risk appetite and regulatory expectations
• Maintain clear policy-to-practice traceability (controls mapped to standards; evidence maintained for assurance)
What you will need to be successful in the role
We are seeking a commercially minded and pragmatic data leader who can build and deliver a modern data capability within a global reinsurance business. The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with a strong bias to delivery and will be comfortable setting direction while working collaboratively across established, technical teams.
Strategic Capability
• Strong ability to translate business priorities into a clear, pragmatic data & AI strategy
• Sound judgement in sequencing initiatives and balancing long-term capability build with near-term delivery
• Focus on business outcomes and value creation, not technology for its own sake
• Pragmatic and delivery-focused, with a strong bias towards progress and execution
Data, AI and Transformation Experience
• Significant experience in data, analytics, AI or technology transformation roles, ideally within reinsurance, insurance or regulated financial services
• Experience defining enterprise-level data strategies, operating models and governance frameworks
• Practical understanding of modern data platforms and AI capabilities, with a focus on applied use
• Demonstrated ability to deliver outcomes with imperfect data and technical constraints
Delivery and Value Focus
• Track record of delivering tangible, measurable business outcomes in complex, multi‑stakeholder organisations
• Proven ability to define, measure and track value from data‑led initiatives
• Experience embedding value tracking and benefits realisation disciplines
Stakeholder Engagement and Influence
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex data and AI concepts in clear, business‑relevant terms
• Proven ability to influence across functions, regions and seniority levels through collaboration and well‑reasoned challenge
• Strong credibility with both technical and business audiences
Leadership and Capability Building
• Experience building and leading data and analytics teams
• Strong coaching and development capability
• Collaborative leadership style with high personal accountability
Governance and Regulatory Awareness
• Good, practical understanding of data governance, controls and regulatory environments
• Experience operating within regulated financial services environments preferred
• Awareness of supervisory, audit and regulatory expectations relevant to data and AI
Experience and Qualifications
• Experience delivering data strategy in complex, multi-stakeholder organisations
• Track record of building or materially reshaping data capabilities, operating models or platforms
• Experience selecting and implementing data and analytics technologies, including working with vendors and internal technology teams
• Strong understanding of governance, controls and data management in regulated environments
• Experience working with actuarial, finance, risk, underwriting or similarly technical stakeholder groups
• Experience identifying and delivering practical AI or automation use cases in business settings
• Bachelor’s degree required
Success Measures (First 18-24 Months)
• Defined and agreed data & AI strategy and roadmap
• Established core data foundations and governance frameworks
• Delivered initial portfolio of high-value use cases with measurable impact
• Built a credible, high-performing Data & AI function
• Established trust in data and AI across key stakeholder groups
• Demonstrable improvement in data quality, accessibility and usage
About us
Canada Life Reinsurance (CLRe) is a division of Great West Lifeco Inc. (Great West) and a leading global provider of client-focused reinsurance solutions. CLRe supports insurers, reinsurers and pension funds across the U.S, Europe and Asia, offering innovative risk and capital management solutions that span mortality, longevity, health, investment and P&C risks.
CLRe operates through regulated entities in multiple jurisdictions and has offices in Dublin, the U.S, Bermuda, Barbados, and Canada. The Dublin office serves as the base for CLRe’s European and Asian operations, is home to the Irish reinsurance entity (Canada Life Re Ireland dac), and hosts several central functions. It comprises approximately 180 reinsurance professionals, and offers a collaborative, high-performance environment where initiative, expertise and hard work are recognised and rewarded.
Great West is a Canadian headquartered, international financial services company and has approximately 33,000 employees with $3.3 trillion in consolidated assets under administration.
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. We do not require Agency assistance for this role. Unsolicited CVs / profiles supplied to Canada Life Reinsurance by Recruitment Agencies will not be accepted.
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.