Director, Risk Oversight – Group Benefits

Manulife

. Provide independent second-line risk oversight and effective challenge across the Group Benefits business .

Posted 11/6/2026full-timeToronto • CanadaLead💰 CA$125,100 - CA$175,100 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in Group Benefits, with a strong understanding of operational risk, governance, and compliance. Capable of providing actionable insights and credible challenge to senior leaders while effectively managing risk assessments and controls.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Group Benefits ExpertiseOperational Risk ManagementRisk Assessment and ControlAnalytical and Critical-Thinking SkillsBilingualism in English and French

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Risk ManagementClaims ManagementUnderwritingPlan AdministrationOperational ResilienceIssue ManagementChange Risk AssessmentSystemic Risk IdentificationBusiness Process AnalysisRegulatory Compliance

Soft Skills

Effective CommunicationInfluencing Senior LeadersConstructive ChallengeRelationship BuildingAnalytical Thinking

Tools & Technologies

GRC PlatformsArcher

Certifications & Qualifications

CPACIACRMACRM

Industry Keywords

Insurance OperationsHealth & DentalDisability InsuranceGovernanceAuditComplianceCanadian Financial InstitutionsBusiness TransformationsOperational ControlsRisk Frameworks

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide independent second-line risk oversight and effective challenge across the Group Benefits business
Establish relationships with leaders and subject matter experts across business functions
Identify and assess risks from claims management, underwriting, plan setup and administration, customer and plan sponsor servicing, and third parties
Identify systemic risks, recurring themes, common root causes, and opportunities to strengthen controls
Assess risk implications of strategic initiatives, transformations, technology implementations, process changes, new products, and operating model decisions
Oversee and challenge risk and control self-assessments, issue and corrective action management, change risk assessments, third-party risk assessments, operational resilience, and critical operations
Review and challenge controls and mitigation strategies
Monitor emerging risks and trends affecting Group Benefits
Connect risk information to provide senior leaders with forward-looking views of concentrations, trends, vulnerabilities, and emerging concerns
Provide risk insights to senior leaders and governance committees
Partner with first-line stakeholders while maintaining second-line independence
Support regulatory reviews, audits, investigations, and governance activities
Bring Group Benefits insights into Canada Segment Risk and contribute to risk frameworks, methodologies, and reporting

Requirements

What you’ll need

8–10+ years of relevant experience in Group Benefits
Relevant experience in insurance operations, risk management, audit, compliance, or a related discipline
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, Accounting, or a related discipline
Strong knowledge of the Group Benefits business and operating environment
Experience in Disability, Health & Dental, Underwriting, Plan Administration, Product, or Operations
Ability to understand complex end-to-end business processes and identify broader risk implications
Strong understanding of operational risk, controls, governance, and issue management
Ability to provide credible, constructive challenge and influence senior leaders
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills
Ability to translate risk information into clear business implications and actionable insights
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Experience preparing materials and recommendations for senior management and governance committees
Bilingualism in English and French is required if the successful candidate is in Québec
Preferred: experience with complex insurance operations, business transformations, technology implementations, operating model changes, systemic risk issues, federally regulated Canadian financial institutions, GRC platforms such as Archer, and relevant regulatory expectations
Professional designation such as CPA, CIA, CRMA, CRM, or an equivalent designation is preferred