Director, Enterprise Risk Management

ABOUT UPP
UPP is the first pension plan of its kind in Ontario’s university sector, proudly serving over 40,000 members across four universities and fourteen sector organizations. Our purpose is to bring greater retirement peace of mind to the university sector by investing with integrity and serving members with care. As a sector-wide plan designed for growth, our doors are open to all Ontario universities.
Together, we’re a team of progressive thinkers and agile doers operating within a fast-paced culture of collaboration and respect. We believe in bringing smart and capable people together to create, solve and grow with a clear shared vision and values of integrity, inclusivity, ingenuity, and impact.
Our culture is intentionally welcoming and purposefully rooted in equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation (EDIR). We believe diverse teams, perspectives, and lived experiences contribute to better decisions and a better workplace.
As a long-term investor, we recognize that environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors support risk management and value creation. As stated in our Responsible Investing Policy, we are committed to incorporating ESG considerations into our investment management activities and we collaborate with other industry participants in the promotion of a sustainable economy and society.
Join us in building a bright future for our members, our organization, and each other.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Reporting to the Managing Director, Enterprise & Operational Risk, the Director, Enterprise Risk will be responsible for supporting the design, build and implementation of the company’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program and implementing the company’s Business Continuity Management (BCM) program, including crisis management. In this role, you will provide the leadership, innovation, governance, and the management necessary to design and implement frameworks, tools, and processes to guide UPP in smart enterprise and operational risk management.
The mandate for UPP’s Director, Enterprise Risk is to work with the Managing Director, Enterprise and Operational Risk to develop, implement and oversee an ERM framework, including implementation of risk enablers such as a risk culture, risk policies, frameworks & methodologies, risk assessments reporting and risk management technology. The Director will lead the development of ERM framework processes that identify, measure, assess, manage, and monitor current and emerging risks, including an awareness of systemic issues that pose strategic and reputational risk. This role will require close cross-functional collaboration across teams, including our investments division, and delegating and guiding other members of the Risk team on various workstreams.
UPP has adopted a Hybrid Work Model which allows staff the flexibility to work remotely with the opportunity to work in person at the office ~2 days a week. Our office is located in downtown Toronto.
ERM Framework
Working with the Managing Director, Enterprise and Operational Risk, the Director will:

- Lead the Development of Risk Frameworks: Spearhead the creation and refinement of UPP’s risk appetite and tolerance statements, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and delivering robust, actionable reporting.
- Champion Best Practices: Drive the design and implementation of ERM frameworks, methodologies, policies, and procedures tailored to UPP’s strategic needs and industry best practices.
- Elevate Risk Governance: Lead the implementation of enterprise risk reporting systems and dashboards, incorporating key metrics to enable data-driven decision-making at all organizational levels.
- Foster Organizational Alignment: Build and sustain a culture of risk awareness by influencing and collaborating across departments, aligning diverse stakeholders to establish a cohesive enterprise-wide risk approach.
- Optimize Risk Processes: Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency within the risk management framework, streamlining operations while maintaining effectiveness.
- Drive Technological Integration: Lead the deployment of advanced ERM systems and tools, ensuring they provide an integrated, consistent, and comprehensive view of risk management.

Business Continuity Management Program
The Director will also play a pivotal leadership role in advancing (BCM) capabilities, with key responsibilities including:

- Strategic Oversight: Lead the governance and operational frameworks of the BCM program, ensuring alignment with the program roadmap and driving the progressive maturity of BCM capabilities over time.
- Crisis Response Leadership: Partner with the Communications team to manage and refine UPP’s Crisis Response and Communications Plan, ensuring seamless coordination during critical events.
- Lifecycle Management: Oversee the full business continuity lifecycle, including risk assessments, business impact analyses, and continuity planning, ensuring plans are rigorously devel