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.